No Whammies

Last night I lay in bed, pondering over the week ahead when inexplicably, the Muppets entered my mind. I thought about hearing "The Rainbow Connection" for the first time, which was also the first time I saw a movie at a theater. It was just my mom and me, and I remember being overcome with emotion when those muppets sang "Someday we'll find it - the rainbow connection - the lovers, the dreamers, and me." And Yes, I thought me meant me. And it was then, sitting at the Showcase Cinemas West in a green chair which had not yet become soiled or sticky when it hit me: I, too, was a dreamer. I was four and had already found my flock. I wept with happiness at the connection between myself and Miss Piggy, that karate chopping, self-made woman muppet. Between myself and Kermit, the idealistic, ever patient frog with a story to tell. Fozzie and Gonzo and the Swedish Chef - even the two curmudgeon old men, mocking the naive optimism from their high seats in the balcony. I had something in common with all of them, and it fills me with such joy to think about it, even now.

I love those Muppets and the songs they sang. Everything Jim Henson created was a gift: Fraggle Rock and Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas are such treasures. And it was a gift to remember them last night. Good thoughts are more valuable than gold, and so for this week (in keeping with things from times gone by) I wish you Big Bucks in the form of good thoughts and absolutely No Whammies.