RIP, Carroll Spinney.
I got to meet Carroll in, I think, 1996 at a Puppeteers of America Festival in San Francisco. At these puppetry conventions, many of us young kids got to meet our idols who performed puppets on TV, and it wasn’t a “pay for their autograph”sort of thing. They were right in there with us, seeing shows, taking workshops, and eating in the cafeteria. No caste system, all equals.
Mr. Spinney was at a table with several other puppeteers his age, eating lunch one of those festival days. We all ate in the cafeteria at the college campus where we attend these things during the summer. Anyway, I couldn’t find a place to sit and he and the others welcomed me to their table. I mostly kept quiet but listened to their hilarious banter and really enjoyed myself.
Jim Henson had just died recently, and we had a memorial service for him with a packed auditorium. I was sitting in the front row, and Carroll, this time, asked to sit in the seat next to me. I think his wife and a few other folks were with him.
Mr. Spinney cried so hard through the film they played all about Jim. I found myself hugging him, not knowing what else to do. He thanked me.
A day or so later Carroll gave a symposium for all of us and brought out Oscar and his old character Picklepuss. (He had performed Big Bird earlier in the week). It was so much fun hearing his stories, and he invited us all up to have our photo taken with Oscar at the end. I had Chuck Rooster with me, and Carroll had Oscar start an argument with Chuck about him looking more like a turkey.
He and I traded cartoon drawings not long after. He gave me one with Big Bird, which I have packed away safely somewhere...and I gave him one of Chuck.
He did not remember me when I saw him at Dragon Con a few years ago, but I didn’t expect him to; many years had passed, he meets many people, and I look different. Still, I truly treasure my little bit of time that I, a goofy college kid, got to spend time with the performer of some of the most beloved characters of my childhood.
And I assure you, he was as wonderful as we all picture him to be😉. #carrollspinney #oscarthegrouch #muppets #puppets #puppetry #bigbird #tpath
Sigh. Usually Steve goes to this huge flea market shindig with me at Christmas---tons of food,live music,prizes,Santa visits, singalongs,big discounts,fancy wrapping in-house,and all the booths and employees dressed in their holiday finest. He had to work late,but he knows how much I look forward to these things,so he sent me on.
Found a few wee gifts,and a handsome date for the evening😉
#christmasparty #fleamarket #teddybears #christmasteddybears #openhouse #christmasfun
It’s coming. I have a pre-op appointment this week. It’s happening; there’s no turning back. I know plenty of people have had shoulder replacements, but this is like armageddon for me, as I am trying to trap the last of my feral kitties and get them home and situated before this. I don’t know how long will be out of commission but I know I will be borked up in bandages for a while, won’t be able to drive, and who knows how much of the animal care here I will be able to manage at first. I know it is all going to turn out great, but I am still climbing Everest in the process of getting to this point.DECEMBER 23 is the day!
Not to mention I’m a little worried. Will I still be able to draw and paint the same? There is so much pinched nerve action going on in there right now I cannot do either without things looking...off. It’s maddening.
So what’s going on in this x-ray? Well, I have two bone spurs at the red arrow. And the ball on the ball and socket joint? It an’t there, folks. It’s worn almost flat. So yeah. I hurt. A lot. But it’s become such an everyday thing sometimes I forget about it. Until I try holding a pen or brush, or until I lie in bed. Or pick up a kitty or try to open a can. Ugh. I am very, very thankful I can get this done. #bonespurs #atlantaboneandjoint #shoulderreplacement #osteoarthritis #ouch
