Me Want Cookie! Cookie! Cookie! Cookie!

When I was in college, my niece lived near my parents and when I went home for vacations, she spent a lot of time at our house. She was the cutest and one of the smartest little girls I had ever seen. I think she was about five or six at the time. Her favorite show was Sesame Street. The show having premiered when I was in 8^th grade, I had never seen it before my niece began to watch it but I enjoyed watching with her. I found it entertaining and educational. My favorite character was Cookie Monster and I could not understand why my niece would start crying and leave the room whenever Cookie Monster came on the screen. I guess it was something about him being a “monster” that sent her running in a panic whenever Cookie graced the screen.

When my own kids were little, they enjoyed the show which gave me an excuse to watch Cookie Monster, one of my favorite characters. I also liked The Count and Oscar the Grouch. My girls had stuffed Cookie Monsters more than any of the other characters, probably because he was MY favorite and I’m the one who bought them the toys! I still love Cookie Monster.

Today, when I opened iTunes, it began to download some of the podcasts that I subscribe to. One of them, NPR Driveway Moments, featured Cookie Monster today. I listened to it as soon as it was finished downloading then I went to NPR’s website for more information and a video—a very cute video. I found out more about Cookie from listening to an interview with puppeteer Frank Oz, who was the voice of Cookie Monster (as well as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Sam the Eagle, and Bert). Frank Oz summarizes that one of the reasons that Cookie was so well liked and so successful is that his character is sweet, sensuous, and tactile. All he wants is his cookie. When he gets it, he’s satisfied. And, in Frank Oz’s words, “…he is not going to knock anyone down to get his cookie; he’ll go around someone to get it but he won’t knock them down. He cares about others even if all he wants is his cookie…” Yeah, I think he’s right. Cookie’s a sweet guy. That must be why I like him so much!

I thought I would share the website info with you. To hear the interview, you will need iTunes, which is a free download if you don’t already have it. If you have it, you need to go to Podcasts and search for NPR. The program this interview was on is called “Driveway Moments” and it is the most recent podcast in the series. It’s a seven minute program. Once you’re done listening to the program, you can go to the website to watch the short and entertaining video of the “in studio interview” of Cookie Monster. The site is: http://www.npr.org/blogs/incharacter/2008/02/cookie_monster_comes_to_npr.htm

 

 

Warming Sun

brilliant, warming sun

breaks through my window

I yawn, close my eyes

roll over, pull the covers

over my head

not yet, not yet

then it hits me!

it’s the sun!

finally, at long last, sun!

birds serenade and greet

the newly lit day

Just His Luck

[Second Chance prompt for Writers Island]

Ricky couldn’t believe his luck! 

He always tried to be prepared but it was hard to study for a big test when the weather was so great outside and when his friends were out side his window yelling for him to go have some fun.  And that’s what he’d done yesterday.  He went to the arcade with his friends, then out for a burger and a Coke.  He had gotten home late and then tried to study but he was also very tired.  When Ricky started studying it was past eleven and before he knew it, he was falling asleep. 

At breakfast his mom wished him luck on his History final.  She knew he was having trouble memorizing some of the dates and names but she knew Ricky was a good student.  He’d manage to pull a wonderful grade, even though he said he would probably fail.  All the way to school Ricky tried to look at his notes and quiz himself.  He was worried.  He needed to pull an A on this one but it wasn’t looking good this time.

When the bell for first period rang, Ricky headed for class, shuffling his feet, trying to avoid the inevitable.  He got to class, sat down and took advantage of the last few minutes of studying until the teacher called for them to clear their desks.   Instead, when the tardy bell rang, a deep male’s voice interrupted Ricky’s studying.

“Good morning class.  I’m Mr. Slezak and I will be your substitute teacher today.  Mrs. Brown had a family emergency but she should be back tomorrow.  The lesson plan says you are to take a test today but I can’t find the test so I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until tomorrow when Mrs. Brown returns.  I know you’re all heart broken about this but it can’t be helped.”

The class broke out in applause!  Ricky couldn’t believe his luck!  He was getting a second chance to study for his test!  Wow!  Some days were just too perfect!

Looking At Me

Note:This is from a journal write that I came across after a friend posted some of her journal writes.  I don’t remember writing it at all but I found it scratched in my hand as if I had done it under some kind of trance.   I guess this shows that journal writes can produce interesting results.  

I want steamy eyes looking at me.  I can’t tell anyone.  Not even me.  But they are there.  Dark brown eyes watching intensely.  I want steaming eyes looking at me.

I know they’re there.  My moves become deliberate.  Looking innocent, I pose, pausing, pouting, pretending. Straps fall off my shoulders.  He’s out there watching me.

I should scream.  No.  I stretch, my arms reaching upward, my back arching and off it comes.  There’s coolness all over me.  I relish it.  I know the dark brown eyes are watching me.

Slowly, deliberately I reach for the lotion, massaging down from my neck.  My hand lingers on my breast as I look out into the blackness of the night knowing someone is watching me.

Lotion smoothly caresses the ample bulk then the tender darkness of my stiffening nipple, yearning to be touched.  A silent inner moan as someone intently watches me.

My hot breasts yearning to be cooled by the heat of the cinnamon lotion and so my fingers linger there, gentle at first then with rapid vigor, aching for the eyes that are watching me.

Craving for that touch, aching for coolness the lotion cannot bring.  Arching back, hands pleasuring me, forgetting the steamy brown eyes that are watching me.

Instinctively the lotioned hands drop to the soft, wet crevice that begs for human touch.  I’m lost from all but the touch and  the need and I forget that those chocolate eyes are watching me.

Teachers, Chemistry, And Other Bonds

I remember a lot from when I was growing up but usually it is the negative things that haunt my mind. It is a rare treat to think of …to remember… the happy times…the happy thoughts. High school was probably the happiest time of my life. I was someone. I mattered. People looked up to me. I had no obligations. My only duties were to keep my grades up and follow through on my extra curricular activities but that was okay. I loved school and I loved writing for the school newspaper. At school I could be me. At school I could be happy and honest. At school I could be myself.

Weekend Away

This week’s Writer’s Island prompt is Time Travel.  Here’s my try: 

Sherry tumbled to the floor next to her bed, immediately realizing that it had happened again.  This was the third time she knew of but she suspected that there had been more times of which she was unaware.

What had happened this time?  She got up and looked in the mirror, searching for evidence to help her figure out what had happened.  She was wearing a simple wreath of daisies in her hair and what appeared to be a tattoo of a peace sign on her cheek.  Sherry rubbed at it and realized that it was just drawn on.  Whew!  She was relieved.

Looking down at her clothes she noticed the clothes she had seen in photographs.  Her denim pants, patched as they were, appeared to be very wide bell-bottomed pants.  She was wearing a halter top made from a multicolored tie dyed bandana.  Sherry had beads around her neck and on her wrists.  Bringing her wrist near her eyes to look at the colorful beads, she got a whiff of a strong scent she couldn’t place.  It was musky and made her feel dizzy.  She didn’t know what the scent was but she was certain it wasn’t anything that belonged in her time.

What had she missed?  She rushed to her desktop computer and turned it on.  The date said it was February 18, 2008.  Wow!  The last thing she remembered was Friday morning when she had left for school.  Friday had been the 15^th.  She had lost four days!  Had anyone noticed?  What would she say?  Her mother would be frantic, then she’d be mad as hell when she realized Sherry was fine.  Then Sherry  remembered with relief!.  Her mother wasn’t home.  She had gone away with her boyfriend, Chuck.  They had left on Thursday after work, for a Valentine’s weekend.  With Monday being a holiday, they were staying away and coming home late Monday night.  Tonight!  What time was it?  Were they home?  No.  The house was quiet and one look out the window told her that her mother’s Prius wasn’t in the driveway.

Safe!  She was safe.  Or relatively.  Now she just had to figure out what she had done for the four days and if there would be any lingering manifestations to deal with.  She’d have to figure out what to say about why she hadn’t gone to school.  That is IF she hadn’t gone.  She had some checking to do.  Sherry remembered the last time she had lost time.  She had come to with a horrible hangover.  She didn’t even drink but wherever she had gone and whomever she had become had quite a lot to drink and Sherry had to pay the price!

The car driving into the driveway sent Sherry running into the bathroom.  She would lock herself in there and run the shower.  That would give her some time to collect herself.  And she had to wash that pungent smell off of her, too!

And So I Ramble…

A while back I had to have my cable box replaced because it stopped responding to the signal sent from Comcast.  When I picked up the new one, they gave me no instructions and no schematic drawing.  I figured it was a piece of cake and brought it home.  It took me about a week to get it set up.  I tried and tried but I couldn’t get any picture.  I finally had to call the 800 number and cross my fingers that I got an English speaking person.

The nice man at 1-800-Comcast got me all set up.  He was very patient and waited for me to get under and behind and around all the furniture surrounding my cable box.  I did it and  I had cable!  Yay!  The sweet smell of success!

However, I didn’t set up my DVR at that time.  I tried to do it the next day and couldn’t get it.  I followed the schematic on the directions for the DVR but I still couldn’t get it connected and working.   This surprised me because the first time I set it up last summer, I did so on the first try!  Same drawing.  Same instructions.  Same equipment.  No success.

And so I left it alone for a while.  But I have movies that I want to watch and I am not feeling well this weekend.  I knew it was going to be a stay in bed weekend so I tried to hook up the DVR again.  This time I had partial success.  I have a picture but no sound.  While the DVD plays, I have the cable TV sound.  Not good.  I know it has to do with the audio in and out but I can’t figure it out.  I’m thinking I must need another cable for the audio in and out.  I must have it here someplace, but where is it?

I gave up and watched cable TV instead.  Of course, they give you no directory and no list of which channel is showing what.  So I had to use the remote to go through each channel.  If I caught it during a commercial, I had to either wait til it was over or skip it and go on to the next of 979 channels.  Not fun.  One of the problems is that I can’t see the writing on the TV, you know, the bit at the bottom that tells you the channel number and what is showing and all that info.  I can’t see it.  The only way I can see it is if I get up out of bed and come stand next to the TV and look for it and even then it is blurry!

Now I am hoping that one of my daughters will take pity on me and help me hook it up.  The last time I asked one of them she bit my head off after spending about an hour on it with no success.  She said, “Why do you ask me to do things I can’t do?  You know that once I get started I’m not going to stop until I’ve done it and I’m tired!”  Maybe I’ll ask the other one this time.  Of course, it will have to wait til they come because this has been an all alone weekend.  I’ve been alone, not feeling well, with no DVD player all weekend.

Actually, when they come, I’ll ask them to go get me some food first.  Then I might ask about the DVD sound thingy!

 

Thursday Thirteen~Romance Movies

For this week’s Thursday Thirteen, I’ve decided to give you my list of thirteen movies to watch when you are in a romantic mood (or want to get into one). Each is described in a succinct thirteen words. Maybe you can watch one tonight? I have most of them on DVD. I will have to pick one or two or three to watch tonight.

Same Time Next Year—(Alan Alda & Ellen Burstyn) Two married people meet and begin a relationship spanning many decades. Much humor!

You’ve Got Mail—(Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan) Modern day romance through email and instant messaging. Humorous, captivating; a must see!

Sleepless In Seattle—(Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan) Widowed father is set up by his young son. Will Dad go along?

Serendipity—(John Cusack) A chance meeting begins a frantic search to reunite with the perfect mate.

Practical Magic—(Sandra Bullock) Two sisters’ close connection causes problems as they protect each other. Charm, romance.

The Notebook—True love carries this couple from youth to old age and way beyond.

Chocolat—Independent woman and her young daughter move around. Will they ever settle down?

Under the Tuscan Sun—Divorcee vacations in Tuscany; becomes enamored with it. Will love ever find her?

City of Angels—Doctor becomes obsessed with saving patients, while an angel becomes enamored of her.

From Here To Eternity—A timeless love story set in days surrounding the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Pretty Woman—Business man picks up a questionable companion to for the week. Love follows.

Dirty Dancing—Family vacations in Catskills; teen falls in love with the forbidden “wrong guy”.

Dr. Zhivago—Epic love story spanning classes and time. Set during Russian Revolution. Beautifully filmed.

One Of My Lost Poems

Saturday, September 11, 2004

Waiting

I sit. I wait. I wonder.

Tonight? Yes? Maybe. Maybe not.
I guess I have to wait. I have to wonder
As I sit.

Waiting is not fun.
Now if it were a sure thing that I was waiting for,
that would be different.

But I don’t know for sure.
It’s out of my hands. Out of my control.
So I sit and wait and wonder.

Not fun.
Not fun.
Not fun.

Blah blah blah

Finding things I lost

I just came across a number of blogs I began a while back then forgot, or more accurately abandoned.  There were four of them.  One of them had only two entries and there wasn’t anything of substance there so I was able to figure out how to delete that one.  The others I am keeping, for now.  I like some of what I wrote on there and I don’t have any of it backed up so I will leave them until I decide if I want to back that stuff up or not.

One of them, Morning Pages, I like.  If you are familiar with Julia Cameron’s  The Artist’s Way, you’ll recognize where this comes from and what must be in there.  While it isn’t of a lot of value, I like it because a lot of what I wrote in those few posts (less than 20) is stuff about me.  Stuff about my feelings and some of my dreams.  Stuff about getting old and feeling young.

Yeah.  I think I’ll hang on to those for a while.  Maybe I will begin keeping my morning pages again.  It’s a neat concept and a wonderful practice.

 

Check it out yourself, here.