Kicked off a cloudy Election Day with Schoolhouse Rock shorts on government and how it works. "The Preamble" discusses the Constitution and why it was created. "Three Ring Government" compares the three branches of the government to the three rings of a typical circus. "I'm Just a Bill" is probably the most famous of the government-themed shorts. A boy and a "bill" - that is, a piece of paper representing a law - describe how long the process from writing a bill to becoming a law often takes. "Tyrannosaurus Debt" is a pointed commentary on the US Debt and how it keeps growing. "I'm Going to Send Your Vote to College" is a more recent short that uses college fight song to talk about the electoral collage and how it works.
Jessa finally picked me up around quarter of noon. We were going to eat at The Pop Shop...but Jessa drove around and around Haddon Avenue and just couldn't find a place to park. She tried parking on Haddon and couldn't figure out their electronic parking meters. Collingswood is a popular lunch spot for local and city workers. We just opted to go elsewhere.
The first thing I thought of that was nearby was the Crystal Lake Diner just under the library in Westmont. Fortunately, they were quiet when we arrived. Jessa had a massive Reuben and shared her plate of fries. I had a waffle that was almost as big, covered in gluey, surprisingly tangy apples. We both enjoyed what tasted like home-made iced tea.
After we got back to my place, we enjoyed two episodes on my Match Game set together. Puppets Kukla & Ollie, of Kukla, Fran, & Ollie fame, turned up in a 1979 PM episode. Brett spent the episode flirting outrageously with them, to the mild amusement of her usual sparring partner Charles.
Gene's former boss Steve Allen and comedienne Kaye Ballard joined Richard, Brett, Fannie, and Charles in a 1974 daytime show that had them walking out when a woman answered "boobs" to a question. Later, Richard shows the panel his chest after Gene accidentally asks Fannie to show hers...er, answers.
As soon as Jessa headed out, I did, too. The sun had started to come out even as she was leaving. It left Newton Lake Park dappled in warm light, sparkling on the lake as I went by. Needless to say on a day that had suddenly gotten much nicer, it was busy as heck there, with everyone from Canadian geese to people out for a stroll on the path.
It was suddenly too nice for libraries. There was absolutely nothing going on at the Haddon Township Library, and not much to do. The DVDs shelves were all full. I shelved the few that I could fit in and took a couple out. They just got Uglydolls from earlier in the year in, and I started off my holiday season with The Nutcracker and the Four Realms from last November. Also grabbed The American President.
Made a quick stop at Target on the way home. I was out of eggs, and I wanted to pick up milk for a recipe I was going to try later. Turns out I went to the right place. Eggs are 99 cents at Target. Milk isn't as cheap, but I still got it.
Went straight into writing when I got home. Joyce reveals the fairies' beautiful spring-like lands. Turns out they're not the only humans there. The fairies are the ones who have given Queen Betty and her children refuge, though they've had no more luck in finding King Allen than Gene or Brett. They have no love for Malade, who has captured their kind, taken their magic, and turned them into imps.
Broke for dinner around quarter after 6. Had a quick leftover dinner while watching a Three Stooges election-themed short. They're "Three Dark Horses" when two campaign managers recruit them to vote for their candidate. After the guys realize that the politician is corrupt, they change their votes.
Richie Cunningham gets a lesson in politics when he falls in love with a girl campaigning for presidential candidate Adalai Stevenson in "The Not Making of the President.". Mr. Cunningham, a staunch Eisenhower supporter, is shocked. He's even more shocked when the spokesman for Ike at Arnold's turns out to be none other than Fonzie!
Radio actors Hilary Booth and Jeff Singer throw their hats into the political ring in "Strange Bedfellows." They think they can juggle their current career and a job on the Pittsburgh city council, but a humble former baseball player reminds them of how difficult and meaningful of a job politics is. Meanwhile, manager Scott Sherwood has the staff hold an informal poll on the race for mayor and gets some surprising answers.
The votes are in at the Peanuts' school. "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown," but Linus may have a shot at becoming school president...at least until he starts going on about his favorite topic, the Great Pumpkin.
Popeye and Bluto are competing against each other in "Popeye for President." Olive is the last hold-out, but she can't vote until she finishes her chores. The two see who can help her get them done first, then get her to the polls.
"The Candid Candidate" is Betty Boop's Grampy, who is inundated with requests for help after he becomes mayor. He uses his many inventions to help the people in town solve their problems.
Made bread pudding from Kit's Cooking Studio while the cartoons were on. Jodie's been giving me all the bread from her football lunches, and I had no idea what to do with it. It was milk, sugar, cinnamon, three eggs, and vanilla poured over buttered bread and baked. I think I left it too long and used too much milk. It was too soft, and it overflowed in the pan. It still tasted pretty good, though.
Finished the night with Let Freedom Ring. I go into this patriotic western vehicle for Nelson Eddy at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.
Let Freedom Ring
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