I Wish It Was Season One!

My niece, Olivia, is six years old. The first week into her kindergarten career, she tells her mother out of the blue, “I liked when it was Season One better.” Huh? Well, “season one” is a reference to Meerkat Manor, one of her favorite television shows she watched all summer long. All she meant was that she wanted to return to a time in her life when she didn’t have to get up so early in the morning for school, didn’t have to do homework , didn’t have to live by a schedule. A time when she could lounge about all day and eat Cheetoz and watch TV.

I understand her only too well. She makes me think about my own kids when they were so young, when they were in their Glory Days. I’ll use the year 1984 just as an example. I was 34 at the time and should be able to tell you all about what was happening in the world at that time. Events like a gas leak in India killing 2,000 people at a Union Carbide plant; or like a gunman killing 22 people at a McDonalds in San Ysido, California; or like FBI Agent Richard Miller being arrested for spying; or like India’s Prime Minister, Indira Ghandi, being assassinated.

But instead, when I think of 1984, my thoughts immediately jump to how many times “Jim” had to put “Lady” back in her dog bed the first night they had her, only to lose the battle in the end because she slept at the foot of their bed. I remember holding my breath because I was afraid Kermit might just jump off the Empire State Building when he yells at the people of New York that he’s staying, “This frog is staying!” in the Muppets Take Manhattan. My mind is flooded with visuals involving Zorro, the Masters of the Universe (and that damned swirling vortex!) the Hugg-a-bunch kids, dancing skeletons and ghosts, a la Walt Disney’s Scary Movie, the Care Bears, and when I hear the music from the Charlie Brown Christmas special, I find myself hankering for Cheerios, fish sticks, and apple juice.

My kids are grown and gone now. And sadly I can name every sickening current event of 2006. Children are such wonderful insulation from the real world sometimes. If you’ve got them, count yourself lucky. And when you’re watching Dora the Explorer for the 38th time, don’t be angry. Be thankful. Show your appreciation. Buy them a cake. And speaking of cake . . .

Cakes - It’s all about comments:

“Don’t walk. Run to your nearest computer and order one!” people say.
“This cake is so good, it must be twins!” some enthuse.
“If this cake were any better, I’d order two!” exclaimed a fan.


Cakes – It’s all about trivial facts:

One cake will feed an army (if the size of the army is 12 to 15 folks)
At $20.00 a cake, some say it’s cheap. We prefer “bargain.”
Dimensions don’t vary – 6 inches around – 3 layers high
To order, contact me at btall50@aol.com


Cakes – It’s all about choices:

Chocolate with white frosting (cream cheese & butter)
Chocolate with chocolate frosting (fudge chocolate)
Yellow with white frosting (cream cheese & butter)
Yellow with chocolate frosting (fudge chocolate)