During the month of April, I participate in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. That is 26 posts in one month, for each letter of the alphabet, time off for good behavior on Sundays. Over 1800 bloggers are participating this year. Last I checked, I was #831. This year, Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, my sock puppet creations, are here to tell you their story and share reviews, ideas, and inspiration with you. They’re also helping to teach theatre classes for kids in the Brainerd area, and continue to view and review theatre productions and some books. This retired couple doesn’t just sit around watching reruns on MeTv. (Although, Willie does like to put up his feet whenever Petticoat Junction comes on. It’s that sound of the train whistle. Millie makes no apologies for watching the Lassie marathon while holding her dog Tillie on her lap.)
U is for ukulele. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, or Iz, plays it the best. Here he is playing Somewhere Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World.
It’s beautiful, brings a tear to my eye. Millie and Willie have begun watching Hawai’i Five-O. Willie was a huge fan of the original series, and he thinks this new version is pretty good. Millie appreciates that a woman was added to the crime solving, butt-kicking, detectives.
Willie: That Iz plays a mean ukulele. I’d like to learn how to play the ukulele.
Millie: Oh, I didn’t know that. Maybe I’ll get you one for your birthday.
Willie: I was thinking I’d pick one up as a souvenir.
Millie: What are you talking about, Willie?
Willie: Millie, it’s been 45 years since we became a pair, and I think it’s time we had a second honeymoon.
Millie: Our first honeymoon in Duluth, MN was lovely, walking along the north shore, visiting Split Rock Lighthouse, searching for agates.
Willie: It’s my favorite week of my life, Millie. Just spending time with you, eating out, breakfast in bed.
(Millie blushes)
Willie: I called a travel agent, Millie. I want to go to Hawai’i with you.
Millie: You can’t ride the train to the islands, Willie.
Willie: I don’t care that they don’t even have trains there, Millie. I’d like to visit Pearl Harbor and pay my respects to the souls who lost their lives in the attack on December 7, 1941. I want to wear a flower lei around my neck and dance the hula, and pig out at a lu’au.
Millie: I’ve always wanted to visit the garden island, Kauai. Oh, Willie, do you really want to go?
Willie: Without a doubt. We’re not getting any younger. I still want to be able to hike, do lots of sight-seeing, swim in the ocean.
(Millie just smiles and starts planning their itinerary.)
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: What’s a place on your bucket list to visit? Have you ever been to the Hawaiian Islands?
We LOVE this version! It’s one of my husband’s favorites.
We are headed to Kauai in May. It will be my first trip to Hawaii. We’ve tried to go for several years, but every time we tried to plan it, it didn’t work out. Now we have the reservations, and I am beside myself with excitement!
Oh, have a great time, Nadine! Share photos when you return.
I’ve been to Hawaii. My older brother was stationed there, so we took a vacation there. We got to go on his navy ship. I got seasick. It was lots of fun and I still have the handwoven basket a native made.
~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Member of C. Lee’s Muffin Commando Squad
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
Cool! Except for the seasick part.
I’ll watch the video later Mary thank you. My son and husband are using their computers and my computer is really slow as a result. I love ‘What a Wonderful World’. And the ukulele. How wonderful, are you really planning a trip to Hawaii? I’ll send you a link to Courtney who’s been posting on A-Z who lives in Maui .. if not now, then on the weekend.
Ooo. Yes. Send me the link. (We do hope to go to Hawai’i soon.)
He’s very talented.
Well, now I expect Millie and Willie reports from Hawaii. You can’t bike there either, so plane for you.
I want to go to New Zealand and take the LOTR tour.
That would be wonderful, Alex!
Ya, Millie and Willie will have to do some blogging – Fly off the Page!
The music really takes me there — such a sense of place. I hope you go to Hawaii soon. I haven’t been in ages, and in fact have only been once on the big island. One of the most beautiful vacations ever, though I was ready to go home after one week. Still, great memories.
Thanks, Silvia. I do hope to travel there sometime soon.
I don’t have much experience with ukulele. I remember watching tiny Tim play on Ed Sullivan on reruns.