Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Wrap It Up

It's hard to say which memory from my childhood has brought me more joy over the years -- reading Highlights magazine, which I fell in love in the 1970s in the waiting room of Dr. Lenzi's dental office in Madison Heights, Michigan, or the Mr. Microphone, which spawned a lifetime of "Hey, good looking, we'll be back to pick you up later!" jokes. So as I scrambled to find the "perfect" present for my nephew's upcoming 7th birthday, both quickly came to mind as I remembered what gifts I loved most as a kid.
    Then as I was checking out the new Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs cover tunes album with my pal Jesse at work, he asked me if their "Sid 'n' Susie" alter egos were listed on the cover again like they were in 2006. Without hesitation, we both immediately went looking for the hidden words -- "just like Highlights" -- and I was convinced the magazine subscription was the way to go. (Get ready, AJ!) The way I see it, what kid can resist Hidden Pictures, Goofus & Gallant or What's Wrong? (which took on an entirely different meaning in my household)? More importantly, how thankful will my sister be that her 7-year-old (and his almost 3-year-old shadow of a sister) doesn't have a Mr. Microphone?!!
    Before Dynamite exploded into my little world ...
   
Highlights for Children was my one and only ...

5 comments:

Chad said...

Highlights rocked! I also fell in love with it at the dentist's office and insisted I had my own subscription. The seek and find was my favorite...

paula said...

My kids get it and it's still AWESOME!!!

david a said...

Goofus and Gallant!

mary said...

All of lifes important lessons can be found in "Goofus and Gallant".

Marc Lallanilla said...

Even as a kid, I knew that Goofus was going to grow up to be a wealthy, successful, contented man. And after years of desperately seeking the approval of others, Gallant one day went nuts, grabbed a semi-automatic weapon from the trunk of his Mercury Maverick and gunned down nine geriatrics in the retirement home where he has been a full-time volunteer since 1965. Sad, isn't it?