Experiences

Dandy Lion Wishes

Jeanna G3 Comments

Blow away the seeds of a dandelion and wish that a dream come true returns to you. How many dandelions can you find, and how many wishes can you make? What would you wish for? To see someone again? To gain something new? To have more of something you already have? To get back something you lost? Would you make a wish for someone else?

As a child, every so often, my dad would quietly wake me up early on a Saturday morning and tell me to get dressed and meet him at the car. We’d take the old, green Oldsmobile to breakfast at the Dandy Lion diner, just me and him. I probably ordered pancakes. I don’t actually remember. I don’t remember the conversations either. And I don’t remember much about what the place looked like, or even what town it was in. What I do remember is being there with my dad. Just me and him.

Early this past Saturday morning, my daughter and I were able to drive down to scoop up my dad on his 84th birthday and take him to a local diner for breakfast.

My Dandy Lion wishes came true.

Spring Fling

Jeanna G5 Comments

My daughter had her first school dance this past Friday evening. She’s in 5th grade, but you’d think it was the high school prom, considering her preparations. An hour before we were to arrive, she tells me she needs a solid color dress in teal. Thanks for all the notice! Magically, we find what we need…on clearance! We go, she dances and has fun, I meet another cool mom. Success!

I pray all of her future dances are just as simple and fun. Oh, and that all of her dresses are on clearance.

I remember my first dance, and the many more that followed. All fun, but I never really danced… except to the slow songs with my crush du jour.

My first dance was in 6th grade. It was immediately following dismissal. We changed in the bathroom, usually swapping clothes with friends who had cooler stuff than our own. We did the “Electric Slide,” we screamed and ran around, or we sat on the bleachers with our backs to the wall. Finally, we moseyed up to our crushes in time to sway along to “Stairway to Heaven,” while thanking heaven that it was such a long song.

How great are the times when there’s nothing else to think about than what you’re doing and who you’re with.

Guess Who Came To Breakfast?

Jeanna G1 Comment

They all had a story to share.

The Viking told of his latest conquest. He stormed the castle and had a run-in with a knight over who would get the last turkey leg off the king’s banquet. They employed a wishbone to call a truce.

The caveman told of the time he was outsmarted by a brontosaurus. They bet on who could get the figs from the top of the tree first. The brontosaurus said he wouldn’t use his legs, so the caveman thought he couldn’t lose. He took the bet…and lost by a neck!

The lieutenant was just happy to be eating breakfast without the Sarge either mashing his nose into his plate, or stealing the plate out from under his nose.

The little red-headed girl lamented over the fact that the round-headed boy still hadn’t found the nerve to ask her out.

The blonde-haired boy and his tiger took turns shooting strawberries at the Viking’s helmet with their slingshot.

The orange cat, between yawns, was describing a nightmare in which he had turned into lasagne, and was torn because he couldn’t decide if he should eat himself, or not.

What’s that you ask? Was this all a dream? No, no. This all happened over breakfast. No really! It was all right there in the funny pages.

Laughs du Jour

Growing up, Saturday mornings were for cartoons, and Sundays were for comics. I wouldn’t get up from the table to get dressed for church until I finished reading all of my favorite strips. Comics gave me material for my jokes and storylines for my pretend play. They also gave me some insight into the way adults think and behave. Hmmm…adult behaving like children. Sounds like a comic strip to me!

Tonight my daughter and I watched Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown. It got me thinking about all of the comics she missed out on because of my switch from print to digital media. I think the funny pages need to be delivered to the breakfast table again.