As the Snow Melts

Began a bright, sunny winter's morning with breakfast and this year's first Valentine's Day specials. Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine for You is a variation on Pooh's Grand Adventure. Here, the Hundred Acre Woods gang learns that Christopher Robin is making a Valentine for a girl he likes. Afraid that she'll replace them in his heart, they chase the "Smitten" bug to "cure" the boy.

Un-Valentine's Day is an episode of The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Rabbit cancels Valentine's Day to avoid the flood of mail they got (mostly from Pooh) the year before. When someone sends Pooh a pot of honey, he feels he needs to give something in return. This eventually leads to cakes flying everywhere, Piglet flying on a huge Valentine, and a romantic play that goes comically wrong. But who did send Pooh that pot of honey?

(We also got a New Adventures quickie for good measure. Rabbit, Tigger, Pooh, and Piglet are telling the story of "The Three Little Piglets." Pooh keeps trying to insert honey, Tigger keeps changing the story, and Rabbit isn't happy about having to play the villain.)

Headed out for counseling early this time, around 11:30-quarter of noon. I didn't have counseling until 2, but I didn't want to rush this time. Much to my surprise, it was very warm when I got outside. Despite everything around me melting, the roads were still a mess. I hit the back roads to dodge as much of the snow and ice as I could.

(I passed an elementary school on my way to Haddonfield. I was glad to see the kids outside playing in the snow for recess! In Cape May Elementary in the 80's, we would not have been allowed outside in the snow. We wouldn't have had outdoor recess until the snow disappeared. They were too afraid we'd throw snowballs with rocks at each other or something similar. I could have told them even then that their worries were unfounded. From what I could see, the kids were having a fine old time, chasing each other and flying on swings. Some even had sleds and were riding down piles of snow in the schoolyard. There were plenty of teachers keeping an eye on them, too.)

I finally made it to Haddonfield in time for a nice lunch at the Bistro. It was the tail end of the lunch hour, and they were still pretty busy as I sat down. I opted for a tasty Mandarin Chicken Salad with Craisins, mandarin oranges, big chicken pieces, spring mix, chow-mein noodles and candied walnuts. It was all topped with a nicely tangy teriyaki sauce. I worked on story ideas and watched a mom and her little daughter work on drawings.

Browsed in a small book store a few blocks down the road next. They're pretty new and they don't have the world's greatest selection, but it was nice to look around anyway. The kids' area was a mess. Apparently, one of the ceiling tiles leaked after the snow storm. The manager had tried calling the owner, but he was in Florida. Books were in piles on the carpeted floor while someone looked at the tiles.

I did actually have counseling this time. Evidently, what happened on the 6th was Mrs. Stahl didn't have a new date book in late November. She'd written down two different times and assumed the earlier one was the right one. After we apologized to each other, I told her about my joyous holidays, my fun day with Jessa and Joe a few weeks ago, my reaction to The Force Awakens, getting sick, Lauren and I having chosen a date for our June vacation, all the trouble on Saturday and how that'll likely impact my paycheck, and my discovery of just how important stories are to me and to our lives. She pretty much said continue to work on stories, and consider writing some fairy tales for my nephews to leave them some stories of their own.

Made a few small stops on the way home, still dodging messy streets and sidewalks. Despite it being 51 degrees (according to the digital sign at the Westmont Fire Station), it was still too chilly for water ice. I treated myself to a very powdery cream-filled donut from MacMillan's Bakery in Westmont instead. I also made a short stop at the PNC Bank in Collingswood. They called me a while back, said it was nothing urgent, but could you call back. I never got around to it and opted to see them in person. Turned out they just wanted to do a year-end review of my accounts and see how they were doing.

Went straight home after that. I wanted to work on some writing. One dark evening, Kathleen hears something crash in the woods. She thinks an animal might be hurt or something fell on her cottage. It turns out to be a human...one Kathleen recognizes. His name is Darren, and they'd once been in love, before he walked out on her. He's unconscious, bruised, bloodied, and battered, and his leg is broken. Kathleen happens to look up and notice something seems to have crashed through the trees...but there are no birds around...

Finished the night with honey-glazed carrots and leftover chicken meatloaf. Made a Pineapple-Upside-Down Cake while watching The Book of Life. A museum worker tells the story of how the Mexican Goddess of the Land of the Remembered Dead and God of the Land of the Forgotten Dead once made a wager. Two young boys are in love with the same girl. If the goddess' boy wins, the god will leave her alone. If the god's choice is the winner, she'll trade the Land of the Remembered with him. The god gives his choice a metal that will make him invincible in battle. He becomes the town's hero. His friend is supposed to follow his family's legacy as a bullfighter, but he doesn't want to kill anything. He'd rather be playing the guitar and singing. The girl doesn't want to follow her father's chosen path for her, either. She's smart, tough, and well-read, and wants to do something for the greater good. Even after he's humiliated in the ring, she still chooses the bullfighter...until they're bitten by snakes. Now he has to figure out how he can get back to his beloved, let the goddess win her duel, and save the town from bloodthirsty bandits before the Day of the Dead ends!

In a way, this one has a little bit in common with Jack and the Cuckoo Clock Heart. Once again, we have stylized animation (I think it's CGI, but it kind of looks like stop motion) telling the story of a love triangle between a good boy, a bad boy, and a girl who isn't sure, populated by strange and magical creatures. However, unlike the delicate French tale, this one is as colorful and bold as its Mexican setting. Stand-up Maria, who is ultimately the one who leads the town against the bandits, is just awesome. Love some of the members of boy's family, too.

While lacking the ethereal charm of Jack, this robust Mexican tale is frankly a lot more fun, with animation that's just as unique. Give this vibrant fairy tale a whirl with older kids on up who are interested in fairy tales or cultures from around the world.