this morning, i got in the car and realized i had forgotten my cell phone. so, i got out and unlocked the front door and went in and got the phone and locked the door and went back out to the car and realized that i wanted to have a new audiobook because the one i was listening to was almost over, so i got out of the car and unlocked the door and went back into my house and said to my cat, “i guess you can just call me forgetful jones!” it just came out. i haven’t thought about forgetful jones in a very long time. probably longer than any other sesame street character and i don’t think about sesame street characters all that often. i love it when little tidbits from your past float up into your day without warning and flood you with memories–and not necessarily specific memories like, “oh yes, i remember that one day when we were watching sesame street and when it was over you and i fought over who’s turn it was to turn off the tv and eventually i resorted to standing up, walking over to the television and looking at the back and saying to you, “see, it says right here that it’s your turn to turn it off!” which was funny because originally, the whole point of “you turn it off; no, you turn it off!” was that we were both too lazy to stand up and walk over to the tv to turn it off.” so… not necessarily those specific kind of memories, but more the general overarching, gut-feeling memories of the days when i could spend a morning watching sesame street and electric company and 3-2-1 contact and mr. rogers and then go outside and play and then it was time for lunch and then play some more or maybe read a book and then watch the 3:00 showing of sesame street even though it was the same episode i’d watched that morning. it was probably good that i only knew that pbs existed. i didn’t know there were other channels. if you ever want a really solid trip down tv memory lane, check out sesame street unpaved. it’s a great book all about the history of sesame street and it makes me cry just about everytime i read it (remember when mr. hooper died? or remember when big bird decided that maybe mr. snuffleupagus was imaginary and they had to say goodbye to each other (that didn’t last)?).
once, a few years ago when we lived in a place where the cable company got the noggin channel, i discovered that they were playing vintage episodes of sesame street and electric company late at night. it was like finding memory gold. i wish i could find recordings or showings of them again…
it seems to me that most of us spend most of our lives wishing again for the days of our childhood when we got bored. when we could spend a whole week reading (or at least, that’s what i did). when our full agenda for the day pretty much entailed playing outside, riding bike up and down the street and asking mom what was for dinner. maybe i should plan my next vacation with that in mind. where could i go and have someone cook nostalgic meals for me every day and where all i would have to do was whatever i felt like doing–as long as it didn’t involve me driving anywhere (i couldn’t do that when i was a kid) or buying anything (ditto) and maybe fighting with my sister just for fun…. hmmm…. hey mom, how many guest rooms does your new kentucky home have? jiminy. i sure do miss “summer vacations.”
p.s. that whole sesame street website is actually very entertaining. you should check it out.
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