G is for Green (eggs and Ham)

There is a lot to be nostalgic for as you get older, such as TV shows you used to watch, music you

haven't heard in years. Some things do not age well.

Green Eggs and Ham is not one of those thing. Even after all this time I still enjoy reading it.

Theodore Seuss Geisel, AKA Dr. Seuss happened on a brilliant idea, to tell a story simply. He used few words and a lot of repetition. He created iconic characters, one who doesn't even have a name. Born was Sam I am and his great pursuit of the breakfast of champions and to share it with the world. Enter an unfortunate gentleman who gets caught of in Sam's over zealous enthusiasm. Unfortunately not everyone believes in the wonderful potency of the eggs and ham of emerald. (How times can I say it, but using different words or combinations?)

How could you not want to eat them with a mouse or a fox? And what about the thrilling chase to flee from the avian birthing pods of olive and a side of pork tinted the shades of a forest. (Okay, maybe I am stretching it a little on this one.)

Admit it. Green Eggs and Ham is fun!

There is something special about a story that uses only 50 words to tell a full and complete story. A story filled with the most detailed rhyme and silly imagery ever, yet it is known to almost all people since it's publication August 1960. That is a lot of children to read or be read to the story of Green Eggs and Ham in 58 years!

Since then it has been made into an animated TV special and a song by the Canadian quartet, Moxy Fruvous, which is an absolute pleasure to listen to (well for me certainly). It gives an insane romp through the beloved classic and makes it even more humourous as Sam I am takes on Mr. Cheese (the unnamed man) to who Sam asks to "try it, you might like it".

Take a listen if you never herd the song before; if you have, then enjoy it again.

In the wake of that, I present my daily offering of poetic license, a la pantoum to the famous lime coloured oval of protein and the salty ass end of a pig ( yea, still doing this). I have no shame,; I admit this.

This post is written strictly in the realm of the silly and absurd.

What is your favourite Dr. Seuss book, Dear Readers? I love Green Eggs and Ham, but was also fond of Scrambled Eggs Super, or On Beyond Zebra.

Enjoy today's pantoum.

The Real Story of Green Eggs and Ham

With eggs of green upon my plate

and all the sentences end that in rhyme,

it is no wonder why Mr. Cheese went mad

when asked to eat Sam's evergreen porcine and eggs.

And all the sentences that end in rhyme,

I don't even bother to try to finish 

when asked to eat Sam's evergreen porcine and eggs

for of the veggies I would rather eat.

I don't even bother to try and finish

when mice and foxes steal my eggs,

for veggies I would rather eat

than a broiled or baked pork rear end.

When mice and foxes steal my eggs,

and by boat or train I try to flee

than a broiled or baked pork rear end

meal cooked by one, Sam I am.

And by boat or train I will try to flee

because a vegetarian I am. And

meals cooked by Sam I am--

without consult to me on my tastes.

Because a vegetarian I am, And

it is no wonder why Mr. Cheese went mad

without consult to me on my tastes

with eggs of green upon my plate.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Today is Dr. Seuss birthday (3/2)! Even though he passed back in 1991, her is just as popular today,  probably more so. I grew up reading his books whether from my own collection or what the Barker Library had. I loved the characters and places that Theodore Geisel  created, so to pay him a bit of tribute, I present my top 5 Dr.Seuss books.

It's kind of hard to narrow down the choices to 5, after all, I think many of us grew up on the likes "The Cat in the Hat", "Green Eggs and Ham", or "Horton Hears a Who!". I am not sure if this is an easy list to make. I am choosing my favourite picks (which included some of the lesser known books), so, maybe some of you would be less familiar with the selections I chose. Give them a look see if you are inclined to. I know I would be.

There have been a few movie made recently about some of Seuss's stories that are featured more in the mainstream, and while those stories are awesome in their own write, now is not the time. I do have a nice little collection of Dr. Seuss books from my childhood. These are the ones that I have read repeatedly, along with those that were at my local library, (Darwin R. Barker Library in Fredonia). Also, I need to point out that I have seen most, if not all of the TV specials and all of the major motion pictures, some of which are very good and others not so good. That is neither here nor there, in a box or with a fox (perhaps a future blog?). This list is from the books I read as a child, with one exception (which I will explain later).

So now present my top 5 Dr. Seuss books:

Number #5: Green Eggs and Ham

What a silly load of nonsense! But, seriously, I know I wished I could eat green eggs and ham, especially with a Fox in a Box (not Megan Fox folks). I don't try to read anything into this, much as people have done of late. It is pure nonsense, plain and simple. The rhyme and the rhythm are the best part of the book. It's all just a good time, with a bit of a lesson tacked on. Nothing is wrong with trying to get your kids to eat their veggies with a bit of storytelling. Years later the band Moxy Fruvous wrote a song that goes with the story of Green Eggs and Ham. I think it only makes the story that much more AWESOME!


Number #4: Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose

A story about a moose that let's other animals live on his antlers because they need a place to live. He might be kind, or maybe a sap, but Thidwick always helps his friends. While the moral consequence of the story could be that you shouldn't let your friend's use you, the ending speaks for itself. I won't ruin the surprise, but I ask that if you are curious go check it out. No spoilers this time! It's a cute story. This is one of many books that I would borrow repeated from the library.

Number #3: Scrambled Eggs Super!

A tale of the search for the  greatest scrambled egg dish! Take a look at a neat video telling of this story: Scrambled Eggs Super!







Number #2: On Beyond Zebra!

On Beyond Zebra is a looks at the alphabet after it ends with Z for Zebra! This book is even more nonsense than Green Eggs and Ham, but the allure of it was really the fabulous creatures that Dr. Seuss came up with for each of the new letters.

Number #1: There's a Wocket in My Pocket!

Now, this one I definitely read  a lot. I had my own copy, and when I would read this story I would often imagine or create scenarios about the different creatures that lived in this kid's house.  MY favourite page was always the creatures that lived in the kid's cellar. If there were those kinds of things in my cellar; I would be okay with that. See, it's like a party down there! I even labeled which creature was which, at least in my own head.

Cellar Crew in Wocket in My Pocket

And the honourable mentions: Fox in Socks, Oh, The Places You'll Go!, and Oh, the Thinks you can Think.

I got the Oh, the Places You'll Go! as a graduation present from a former tutor. In many ways Dr. Seuss was a great lifter of spirits and a personal pep squad cheering you on. And, "A Little Nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men!" ~ Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. I think that sums up  Dr. Seuss a little nonsense and a lot of imagination. Hope you enjoyed my list. Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss, wherever you are!!