May 8- Welcome Back

Today I learned that the theme song from Welcome Back Kotter was the number one pop single on this day in History in 1976. How many of you have seen any of that show? I am a bit too young to have watched in while it was in its original run, but I have been able to see all of the episodes now that I am the ripe old age of 25. 

I love TV shows from before my time. When I was growing up I shared a room with my brother Adam at my Dad's house, we had a little loft for a while at Sibley Road. Nick at Nite was my favorite channel, but my brother was less than excited for the black and white shows like the Donna Reed Show, The Patty Duke Show, Mary Tyler Moore, Dick Van Dyke or charaters like Dobie Gillis and Maynard. Adam hated when I had the remote. I hated that Adam talked in his sleep and made other various noises. Come to think of it, I must have had trouble falling asleep even back then! I remember being awake for hours after everyone else was asleep and I could hear Adam making noises in his sleep, or talking about breakfast cereal. I would keep a small pile of clothes next to my bed- perfect for throwing at Adam when he started to make noise. I would be so angry that he made me compromise and watch something other than Nick and Nite that I would throw the button of his jeans right at his face. 

I know, I know that is not very nice. I am fairly confident that I was not very nice to my brother the entirety of our childhoods- I remember having to share EVERYTHING with him-and in natural sibling ways that made me want to scratch at him and throw things at him while slept. I'd like to take this moment to publicly apologize to my first friend and enemy, Adam. Deep down inside I really do like you little brother!

Since I am making public annoucements, I would also like to thank Mary Richards, our title character from the Mary Tyler Moore Show, for helping to create the strong woman I am today. She was a single, career woman in the Twin Cities hghlighting the challenges that women face in the world. She also inspiried my favorite room decoration- a big letter J on my wall. I feel a kindred spirit with Mary, she and I are going to make it after all.