Hey Reader,
Do you remember the joy of Saturday morning cartoons?
Growing up in a house where TV wasn’t allowed on school nights, Saturday morning was the highlight of the week.
Even if I got to stay up late Friday night watching TGIF and eating pizza, nothing compared to Saturday morning cartoons.
- G.I. Joe
- Transformers
- Alvin and the Chipmunks
- The Real Ghostbusters
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Icons of the 80s and 90s. Pure animated legends.
Throw in re-runs of Looney Toons or Tom & Jerry and I could easily make it to noon glued to the screen.
Inevitably, Mom or Dad would pass through the living room, notice the glazed look in my eyes, and punch the power button on the TV.
“Time to go outside.”
After a millisecond of resistance (defiance or prolonged whining wasn’t an option), I’d get dressed and head out the door before chores could get assigned.
One quickly learned that making yourself scarce resulted in less manual labor.
Needless to say, TV has changed a lot in 3 decades. (Ouch!)
We didn’t have cable growing up and we don’t have cable now because we don’t need it. Everything is on-demand in our digital library or streaming somewhere.
Instead of roaming the aisles of Blockbuster, Friday nights and Saturday mornings are spent scrolling through Netflix or Disney+ trying to figure out what to watch.
Over the last two years, our youngest has latched onto the show Bluey and I gotta tell ya, it’s not just for kids.
These mini-episodes are only 5-7 minutes long, but they artfully pull you in and leave you laughing or crying. Somehow they manage to balance potty humor and life lessons like wizards.
I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been watching Bluey together and suddenly, I look around to discover that I’ve watched several episodes all by myself. The kids having abandoned me and left the room some time ago.
I know they’re just cartoon dogs, but I can’t help admiring the parents’ (Chili and Bandit) commitment to the various bits and games they play with the kids (Bluey and Bingo).
If you’ve heard of Bluey, you know what I’m talking about.
If not, regardless of how old your kids are, just watch 3 episodes and let me know what you think. It’ll only take 15-20 minutes.
WISDOM
“Laugh and the world laughs with you,
snore and you sleep alone.”
― Anthony Burgess
Laugh out loud and often.
Get that deviated septum fixed.
RECOMMENDED
Bluey's dad, Bandit, is my spirit animal.
His parenting choices don't always align with mine, but he's patient, fun, and rad.
I try to be a good dad, but I could stand to be a little more rad like Bandit.
In the meantime, I'll just rock this t-shirt.
Move your body.
Clear your mind.
Repeat.
Keep up the good work!
-KC
Q: What do you call an illegally parked frog?
A: Toad.
