May 8, 2012
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wild things
You can call me Maurice ’cause I speak of the pompetous of love. Not really.
I found out this morning that Maurice Sendak is no longer where the wild things are. This bothers me. For a lot of reasons. For one, he was only a little older than my dad and, if I’m remembering correctly (it was more than 12 hours ago, I may not be), he died from a stroke and my mommy had a little one of those a few months ago. I can’t help but see the temporariness of the parental units in my life. My mom is fine and my dad is too ornery. But still, it makes me feel guilty for not being the kind of daughter I should be when my remaining time with them should be counted in years rather than decades.
More than that is the connection I have with his writings. When my girlies were small, we had a fun tape for the VCR with several of his stories. Chicken Soup With Rice that Carole King sang. Who doesn’t love that? And Pierre who didn’t care. My girlies didn’t see the connection between Pierre and their attitudes- but I sure did. I will never forget one day I was substitute teaching in a jungle of a Kindergarten class and the teacher said we could watch a movie at the end of the day, but I’d have to pick it out at the library. In a somewhat panicky hurry, I picked that movie to show to the kids. I about keeled over when we got to the Night Kitchen and a little naked boy butt appeared on the screen. I’d forgotten all about that. I’m sure the kids told their parents. What kind of a teacher doesn’t pick the movie for the sub anyhow. A jungle kindergarten teacher, that’s who.
And then there’s Really Rosie, which is a totally fun musical based on his stories. We went to see it when my friend’s incredibly delightful daughter was in it in 8th grade. She has just finished her first year of college and she’s asked me to be a reference for her summer job. It is crazy to imagine that this girl I met when she was 8 years old is now nearly 19, so grown up and happy and bright. I’m torn between feeling proud to give a reference and disgusted that she thinks I’m grown up enough to do that.
The biggest thing of all though is Where The Wild Things Are. I love this book. Because sometimes I wear a wolf suit and make mischief of one kind and another. And sometimes I start a wild rumpus. And sometimes I roar my terrible roar and gnash my terrible teeth. But when I make it back home, it’s good to know that supper is still hot. It is a perfect book. Especially on a rainy cranky day when I’d rather be in the jungle.
The rain beat down my poppies. The cold snap a few weeks ago froze my lilacs. The only thing that made me remotely happy today was working on my obsession in the hour that it wasn’t raining. It’s just about done. I won’t make you look at it anymore. Promise.
Comments (27)
I love your chair.
Thank goodness for obsessions. I used to read Where the Wild Things Are to my son. He didn’t like the movie version, though. I like to think his mom just did too good a job creating the story in his mind.
@songoftheheart - i don’t think i like the movie version either. but you know i prefer books anyhow.
@lanney - maybe it’ll be all urethaned by the weekend so i can sit my carcass in it. finally.
@promisesunshine - sounds good Color helps the heart.
Sendak will be missed, that guy spoke his mind and he always had a unique way of putting things
@godfatherofgreenbay - i don’t know much about him other than the kiddie lit. that profile thing looks good over here under my gibberish. thanks for visiting.
What a lovely chair! I have always wanted smething that original and beautiful!
the chair is really cool. I bet family members use it more than you do. ha.
@plantinthewindow - family members may not touch it until i mess it up. i will kick their spastic heineys. besides i’m the only one who sits outside for any length of time. which is why i get a fun chair. the end.
@xXxlovelylollipop - thank you
@plantinthewindow - you called me silly earlier. i noticed.
@promisesunshine - maybe they might not sit in it when you are at home.
@plantinthewindow - i’m never leaving my home again. i must protect what is rightfully mine.
My daughter would be absolutely mesmerized by that chair
I was so sad to hear he passed away. Things like that remind me of my parents mortality too.
not a fun thought.
Fresh Aire re-aired bit of previous interviews. Where The Wild Things is one of my favorite books as a child… It’s on NPR, the show, right now… Too many good people are passing away of late…
@wretched_epiphany - not it’s not
@Zoz36 - i think we’re exactly at that age where we’re going to notice who’s dying because they were important figures to us. if i start reading obituaries, throw water on me.
Maurice Sendak died and the rain beat down my poppies – somehow I like that. And don’t worry – he is still where the wild things are.
@Cancerous_Sagittarius - lots of negativity wrapped up in there. and everything i painted yesterday washed away in the rain. like the whole day is gone forever and yippee for that.
the sun is shining today. new poppies. but still the sidewalk is littered with petals.
i think maybe today i’ll write some melancholy poetry.
@Cancerous_Sagittarius - beautiful summation of c.’s post.
did i tell you that i love the chair, darling? yes, i think i did somewhere. love you.
@be_the_rain -
cool post.
Some books you can read over and over again, and still enjoy them as if you’ve read it for the first time, no? I used to read “Where the wild things are” to my kids, oh, such a long time ago.
My son’s father in law (actually step father in law), makes these Adirondek (did I spell it right?) chairs. He has now built two small (tiny) chairs for Andrew. He keeps one up in the Chicago area when Shelley and Andrew go to visit, and there is one here in their home. I should get a picture and post it on my blog.
@ZSA_MD - sounds adorable.
that’s one of them for sure. our copy is a disaster. might need another.
I had to laugh over the “a little naked boy butt appeared on the screen.” For some reason that tickled me in the way it was written. This was a delightful post… I do love love love your chair. I am such a person of color…
@MzSilver - so happy to return the giggle favor- since you make me laugh so often.
color makes me happy. apparently the more, the better.
the perfect post for our wild day. <3 thank you.
A most adorable post from a creator of adorable art work, shoes, chairs, legs, hands……and on and on. PS I bet Mz is tickled to see any butt.