Skip to main content

Balloons for Friday

When I was in elementary school in the late 60s, my class took walking field trips to the library down town, and we would sometimes sit down in tiny chairs to watch films, the old clickety kind with the projector. One of those films was The Red Balloon. As many times as I watched that movie, I don't remember a thing about it except for the kid and the big balloon.

The balloon was invented by a Portuguese priest in 1709 in an attempt to demonstrate his idea of an airship to the King. He had great plans for his invention, but he died before it was ever fully developed. The early balloons were made of animal bladders but were made from rubber later in the 1800s when Michael Faraday invented them to use in experiments with hydrogen. It seems neither man intended to make toys when they went to work, but I'm glad something amusing was at least a byproduct of their bigger projects.

One of my favorite things to do with balloons is make animals. When my kids were young enough to appreciate such an activity, we used to make things like poodles and mice and hats. I was pretty good with the mice, and if I had any balloons handy, I'd make one for you. As it is, you'll have to enjoy this picture of someone else's handy work.

No matter how good I might get at making animal shapes, my new favorite thing to do with balloons is to bury the cat. Daughter No. 2 attached one to poor Mike here by rubbing it on his back and forming static cling, and since he didn't seem to mind having what looked a bit like a tumor stuck to his spine, she added another and then another and then another until he was nearly buried. He was a good sport through it all by indulging us in our silly game. He can thank Michael Faraday for his trouble and be glad he hasn't been covered with animal bladders.

Comments

Anonymous said…
HA! I can't imagine either of our cats sitting still for that, but Mike was REALLLLLY a good sport! What a great photo :)
PF
8:36 AM
Neponset River Bridge Dig said…
I remember watching that film over and over in school too...high school. I was the only white kid in my class and everyone else would make fun out of the little white boy with the big red balloon and look at me. I gained a sense of humor but I don't like that movie.
9:31 AM
Utsav said…
LOL, that's really cute. Did it cling to him even when he walked around?
My dad used to love to tie his Cocker Spaniel's ears together and watch as she tried to get ther hairband off her.
9:54 AM
Gina said…
I've never seen that movie! And yes, that is one patient cat!
11:48 AM
dive said…
Poor Mike!
What a guy! He must be the most easy-going cat on the planet to put up with that.
2:45 PM
Mrs. G. said…
Even at forty, balloons still lift my spirits and make me happy. Animal bladders! Really?
5:45 PM
Lulubelle B said…
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. I like your blog, as well.

Looks like we read the same book about Genghis Khan - there's much more to him than just the "Mongol horde". For a different (and fictional) take on Genghis, you might like "The Years of Rice and Salt" by Kim Stanley Robinson.

Will add you to my blogroll.

- Lulu
12:48 AM
Cheltenhamdailyphoto said…
How interesting Robyn! Never knew that. I can't make the animals i did try when the children were young but it never worked!
Talking of schools, you will be interested in the girls' school i've posted over at mine today.
7:14 AM
Anonymous said…
Red balloons are a kind of therapy for me, although I have never twisted a therapy balloon.
We taught the kids to balloon twist last year and even the most adhd affected kids caught on and loved it.
6:46 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Classic Green Bean Bake

In anticipation of Thanksgiving, I feel I must post a recipe with plenty of good old American tradition. The classic Green Bean Bake was invented in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly, a home economist who worked for the Campbell's Soup Company. A study was done determining that 50% of all Americans have eaten the classic Green Bean Bake, and 38% of those believe it is best served during the holidays, mainly Thanksgiving. So, for the other 50% and for those in other countries where this dish may be unfamiliar--my treat: The Classic Green Bean Bake serves 6 to 8 1 can Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup 1/2 cup milk 1 teaspoon soy sauce Dash of fresh pepper 1 20-oz. bag frozen cut green beans, thawed* 1 2.8 oz can French-fried onions -Preheat the oven to 350 F -In a casserole dish, combine the soup, milk, soy sauce and pepper. Stir in the green beans and half of the onions. -Bake until bubbling, about 25 minutes. Top with the remaining onions and bake for 5 more minutes. Serve hot. *Or cook 1 ...
7 comments
Read more

Bring On the Bombs

In today's edition : I generally try to keep on top of cultural trends even if I don’t adopt them, but there is a growing movement that I have only just discovered. Not long ago, I was walking along in Berkeley, California while visiting my daughter, and I saw a signpost that had been covered with yarn, like someone had sewn a knitted scarf to it. It was colorful and randomly striped, and I pointed it out as if it were the most unusual thing in the world. That’s when my daughter explained the nature of what is known as yarn bombing. It’s when knitters attach something they’ve created to a public object, most often doing their deed stealthily and anonymously. They leave a “bomb,” so to speak, for no other purpose than to brighten up the place and to bring a little cheer to those passing by. Their work has been equated with graffiti, except that the woven yarn is not permanently installed and does no damage to the object it covers. And instead of signifying the territory of a street ...
2 comments
Read more

Cindy Loo Who In October

What is it with people and Cindy Loo Who? Of my last one hundred blog hits, forty have been direct visits from regular readers, and fifteen have been as a result of people searching for "Cindy Loo Who," the little pixie from Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas . A couple of years ago, I posted an image of the original Seuss illustration as compared to the TV cartoon image, and for some reason, that post is bringing in the crowds, relatively. Maybe it's the weather. It isn't even November yet, and already we've had frost and have had to dust off our winter coats. When it gets cold like this, I start to think about Christmasy things like listening to Nat King Cole and decorating the tree. It's ironic because I am offended when retailers start pushing holiday stuff early, but I don't mind my own private celebrations. When my sister and I were much younger and still living with our parents, we would pick a day in July, close the curtains to darken the ...
8 comments
Read more