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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
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