Dr Seuss

 

Theodor Seuss Geisel was a scholar and illustrator.  He wrote and illustrated over 60 children's books and, at the time of his death, over 600 million copies of his books had been sold. 

"Children's books" is a misnomer.  His books have lessons for all of us.

My church, FUMC, Winter Park, is doing a summer series on The Lorax.  This was Dr. Seuss' favorite. Written in 1971, it's about creation care.  We obviously haven't yet received his message.

And Pastor David, on Sunday, reminded us that God told us in Genesis to "have dominion" over the earth, by caring for every for every living thing.  It's about creation care.  We obviously haven't yet received his message...either.

I love Dr. Seuss' books.  I read many of them to my kids and we all memorized entire books.  I think I can still recite "One Fish, Two Fish."

But that's not all.  I, occasionally used Dr. Seuss' books when speaking to large groups of adults.  The only book  I've kept is "The Sneetches."  There are at least three stories in this book that we adults can fully relate to.  The story about the Sneetches has to do with our need to feel superior toward others and how we are easily taken advantage of due to this need.

Now, the Star-Belly Sneetches 

Had bellies with stars. 

The Plain-Belly Sneetches

Had none upon thars. 

Another story is about how we make the same poor decisions over and over again. 

Did I ever tell you that Mrs McCave

Had twenty-three sons and she named them all Dave?

Well, she did.  And that wasn't a smart thing to do. 

You see, when she wants one and calls out, "You-Hoo!

Come into the house, Dave!" she doesn't get one

All twenty-three Daves of hers come on the run!

The third story in this book that I used occasionally with adults has to do with our refusal to change.  These two creatures named Zax are at an impasse due to their inability to compromise with each other or anyone else. 

Never budge!  That's my rule. Never budge in the least!

Not an inch to the west.  No an inch to the east!

I'll stay here, not budging!  I can and I will

If it makes you and me and the whole world stand still!"

Dr. Seuss was a very wise man.  

Barbie"s Dream Conglomerate

 

Would you like to live in Barbie's Dream House?  You can.  Both the Dream House that was built for the new movie and the one seen below, as well as several others, are on Airbnb.  

Barbie and Ken's new movie is opening this month.  Writer, director and actor Greta Gerwig is in charge.  Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling have  the staring rolls.  

The film is not for little girls and boys who love to play with their Barbies and Kens.  It's directed toward teens and adults.  

I've just finished a long article in the current The New Yorker magazine about the Barbie/Mattel empire.  Barbie first appeared in 1959.  A Mattel employee said that Barbie had been to space before most earthly women had a credit card.  

1961 is remembered for the Bay of Pigs invasion and the creation of Ken, Barbie's boyfriend.  A Mattel executive, in speaking about the Barbie brand, said that it is aspirational, inspirational and not something you want to turn into a parody.  So we get it, this is serious business. 

In the beginning Barbie was not universally loved.  Some moms found her anatomically impossible figure inappropriately sexual.  "I am not a Barbie doll" was a popular slogan for women's rights protesters.  But Barbie was, and has continued to be, enormously popular, along with her many accessories such as homes, cars, and her amazing array of outfits for her amazing number of occupations.  In 2022 Barbie was the best selling fashion doll in the world. 

Mattel's Robbie Brenner said "If it's something that could be totemic, obviously that's a great bonus." The term "totemic," describes movies and TV shows that generate merchandising opportunities.

A fifty-dollar doll resembling Margot Robbie, who plays Barbie in the movie has already sold out; so has a seventy-five dollar model of Stereotypical Barbie's pink Corvette.  But you can still purchase Barbie candles, luggage and frozen yogurt. 

This morning I read a review that said, "If you love Barbie you'll love this movie and if you hate Barbie you'll love this movie. 

So I guess I'm good to go.

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Dancing

 

This past Sunday, our senior pastor, David Miller, continued our series on "The Way if Jesus."  He began by telling us a story of being an RA at Wheaton, a conservative college in Illinois.  

In order to be an RA he had to sign a pledge to not drink alcohol or dance.  Because, "Dancing is a vertical expression of a horizontal desire."

He went on to emphasize that Christ's teaching is more about dos than don'ts.  We should be more concerned about what Christ is calling us to do and be. 

Dancing has been around about as long as people have.  And religious teachings have warned us about this art form all along the way.  In my lifetime movies like "Footloose" and "Dirty Dancing" have addressed these issues.  Do you remember that when Ed Sullivan had a young Elvis on stage he could only be televised from the waist up?  

Many decades ago a friend told me this story:  As a teenager she was a member of First United Methodist Church in West Palm Beach Florida.  She and her friends wanted to have a graduation party in the church basement that would include dancing.  The minister said "No" and when she asked why he couldn't give her an answer.  He told her that was the rule.  The district superintendent's office was in Miami.  So my friend, who at that time was 17 years old,  made an appointment,  got on a bus, and traveled from West Palm Beach to Miami in order to respectfully ask the district superintendent to let them dance at their party..  This was a long, arduous, 70 mile trip.  

His answer was an emphatic "NO."

I'm happy that we no longer empathize what we shouldn't do and concentrate much more on who God wants us to be. As pastor David said, "Don't is passive.  Do is proactive." I can't and shouldn't try to control others." 

Forty or so years after my friend's experience,  in that very church I, myself, led an aerobics class for women and a couple of men.  using Jane Fonda's workout tapes.  She was pretty sexy looking in those leotards but I don't think anyone was corrupted due to the workouts.  And we developed some life long relationships. 

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Home

 

Marni Jameson is a nationally syndicated columnist, author, and speaker.  She's an expert on lifestyle and all things "home." I have enjoyed her weekly columns in the Orlando Sentinel since they started.  I'm not always interested in her subject of the day, but I love the way she writes.  She shares herself so, over the years, I've learned much about her; and I love that she lives in Winter Park, so she's practically my neighbor.  

This past Saturday she told us she's been traveling for a while and was happy to be back home.  And then she listed 21 reasons why.  Following are a few with which I can totally relate.  

1.  I like drying the dishes and and putting them away because I know where they go.

Me too!  I don't use my dishwasher.  I love warm soapy water and, after I've put the dishes away, I enjoy wiping down the stove and counter tops. 

4.  I like making the bed and turning it down; it feels like putting a pair of bookends or parentheses around the day.

So, Marni, Admiral H. William H. McRaven, who wrote the New York Times best seller, "Make Your Bed," and I agree on this one.  

6.  I like being in control of my thermostat.

At night, I like mine a 67 degrees.  

9.  I like knowing where everything is and that it is all within reach because it makes me feel like the master of my domain.

Unlike the "Seinfeld" episode, mastering my domain means I have everything I need handy.  I keep socks, hand lotion and my evening devotional under my pillow. 

12.  I like getting the morning newspaper (Yes, I still get a print paper) every day.  I find this reliable, tangible and connection to the world somehow comforting. 

Yes, I'm with Marni.  I've tried to wean myself off this extremely expensive habit, but nothing else works, not even the e Edition.  

16.  I like being around my art and objects because they stir memories and reflect my life.

Me too Marnie.  I'm kind of a minimalist but everything in my home is precious to me.  If and when it no longer is, I give it the heave ho.  I visited my neighbor's home earlier today.  It's lovely and she, too, has only objects that stir memories and give her joy. 

20.  I like cooking, whether whisking an egg, chopping a tomato, or adding spice to a simmering sauce because I like to know what is in my food. 

 I'm on a very low sodium diet and due to that. and a super sensitivity to closed in spaces with lots of people, I prepare my own meals.  I like preparing "clean" and tasty (to me) dishes.  I also eat at odd times. Why?  Because I can.

  As Marnie says, It's an ordinary life, which is what makes it extraordinary. 

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