“ Black Friday” has evolved in meaning and impact over the years, initially referring to calamitous days. The most significant “Black Friday” to date was in 1869 when two financiers attempted to corner the gold market. Fortunes were made and lost on that day.

In 1951, “Black Friday” referred to the practice of workers calling in sick the day after Thanksgiving, in order to have a four day weekend.

Black Friday is currently the first Friday after Thanksgiving and is considered the first and busiest shopping day of the season. The term “ Black Friday” was coined in the 1980’s and refers to the point where retailers begin to make a profit; “in the black.” Black Friday uses promotional sales to draw large crowds and this year, Black Friday has been observed for a couple of weeks.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, “Black Friday” was a phrase used by police officers in Philadelphia to describe the chaos that resulted when large numbers of suburban tourists came into the city to begin their holiday shopping. The huge crowds created a headache for the police, who worked longer shifts than usual as they dealt with traffic jams, accidents, and shoplifting.

Thanksgiving’s relationship with Christmas shopping led to controversy in the 1930’s. Stores were hesitant to advertise Christmas sales before Thanksgiving but needed a longer shopping season. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation declaring the third Thursday of November as Thanksgiving. FDR believed that changing the date would boost the economy by creating an extra seven days of Christmas shopping. This date change led to protest by the mayor of Atlantic City who coined the term “Franksgiving.” In 1941, FDR and Congress moved Thanksgiving back to the fourth Thursday of November.

The New York Times recent survey about “Black Friday” showed that the majority of readers did not intend to shop on the day. Many readers lamented that it no longer felt like a unique event because sales continue throughout the year. Readers also suggested supporting small, local businesses rather than big-box retailers.

I must admit that I did shop online on “Black Friday,” I have had my eye on a flannel duvet cover that was very pricey. The sale price was worth the wait, I got it for 50% off.

When my children were little, I loved shopping, especially for their Christmas stockings. I would keep a list and buy any items throughout the year that were on that list. I have never been a fan of crowded malls. Eventually, the best gifts were the Christmas holiday spent together.

My parents would shop in Denver or New York City for Christmas. Our gifts from FAO Schwartz were incredible, one year we received child sized Lincoln Logs so we could construct our own cabin. Another year it was a skating rink in our backyard. I have photos of my brothers the year they received a child sized Gemini space capsule with astronaut costumes. Pogo sticks and stilts and other sports equipment were included as we got older. I remember my first desk and the phonograph with the Glen Campbell album that I was given in fourth grade. Our family photo albums illustrate the years of Barbie’s, Chatty Cathy dolls, and GIJoes.

We had a big storeroom in our basement that housed some of our holiday decorations and National Geographic magazines. One year, my older brother was “investigating” and found a treasure trove of toys hidden amongst the boxes in that store room. My brother decided to “share the wealth” and in doing so, ruined the Christmas morning surprise for me. Thankfully, the magic did return the next year.

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My great grandfather, Jacob Edward Emery, was a Naval officer who fought in the Civil War under Admiral Farragut. Jacob died when my grandfather was three and left his wife and son with a measly pension on which to live. My grandfather’s life seemed almost Dickensian, my great grandmother took in needle work to make ends meet. I have remnants of her “tatting” and embroidery stitches that she would embellish ladies’ dresses and handkerchiefs with. My grandfather worked from the age of five delivering newspapers after school. As a teenager, he helped the church sexton by pumping the organ and ringing the bells. Education was important to my great grandmother so school took precedent over work. My Grandfather got a scholarship to Yale University and managed to graduate with a Phi Beta Kappa, despite working full time at various jobs. He supported his mother until the day she died.

My grandfather was a brilliant but stern man who lacked any sense of humor. He believed that children were to be seen and not heard. My Dad’s relationship with my grandfather was dysfunctional and complicated. My Dad, however, was always interested in our lives and took an active part every single day. My Dad encouraged us to be whatever we wanted to be and he truly valued our opinions. He had a great sense of humor and loved every minute of his life.

Luckily, my Mom and grandmother made all of the holiday arrangements so my Dad and Grand Dad were forced to see each other on a regular basis. One Thanksgiving, my Mom planned a big shopping weekend, my brothers and I needed new ski equipment and the best deals were at a sporting goods store in Denver, where my Grandparents lived. My grandparents were going to California to my uncle’s house for the holiday. As far as my Dad was concerned, we were in the “clear”, no one needed to know that we planned to spend Thanksgiving in Denver, in a hotel.

We left early on Thanksgiving morning, the sun was shining and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. We had snacks and a Coleman Cooler with plenty of water for the almost three hundred mile drive. The first “leg” of the trip to Cheyenne was uneventful, but we all were happy for a “pit stop” to stretch our legs at Little America, when it began snowing. As Dads do, my Dad headed out to “warm-up” the car for us as we finished buying more snacks and souvenirs. Upon our return, Dad was busy scraping the car which was blanketed with newly fallen snow. No worries, my Dad was a seasoned driver, a little snow wasn’t going to put a damper on our Thanksgiving Day.

With spirits high and beautiful snow falling we got back on the highway, heading to Denver. Within minutes, the falling snow became a “whiteout” and the semi – trucks ahead of us began pulling over on the side of the road. These factors were enough for my parents to make a u-turn and head home. That blizzard chased us for the entire return trip.

It was a scramble for my parents to put together a Thanksgiving spread with a frig that contained a bottle of milk and eggs. We had had reservations at the Brown Palace Hotel for dinner that night. Waffles were the best choice and they were delicious. We watched The Wizard of Oz on tv and headed to bed.

The next morning we drove to the airport and flew to Denver. We checked in to The Shirley Savoy Hotel, a hotel that time had forgotten. The employees were doppelgängers of the characters in the Wes Anderson movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel; they looked like they had worked at the hotel forever. Our favorite, Toby, was the bellhop/elevator operator, he wore a pill box hat with a thin chin strap, striped pants, a cutaway jacket with red velvet lapels, a white shirt and a red bow tie. My brothers and I tortured poor Toby by calling for the elevator then running and hiding. Of course, when our “crime” was reported to my parents, we were forced to apologize to Toby.

We spent the early afternoon shopping at the largest sporting goods store that I had ever been to, it took several escalators to get to the ski department floor. As my Mom made her purchases, she arranged to have everything except our new ski jackets, shipped to our house. We were prepared for a full season on the slopes.

My Dad, brother, and sister went ahead to the hotel to get ready for dinner. We were walking with the green light when my older brother was hit by a car that didn’t stop. He was thrown on the pavement in front of the group of us crossing the street. The rest is a blur, but I remember a Good Samaritan who drove us to Denver General Hospital. My brother’s leg was broken and was placed in a cast. The Police interviewed my Mom at the hospital emergency room about the hit and run driver. After the usual hospital discharge that took a thousand hours, my Mom, Brother, and I got a cab back to the hotel. My family soldiered on and had a big Thanksgiving dinner redux at The Brown Palace, with a lively discussion about the day’s events.

The Denver Police wanted a local contact for the hit and run report so my Dad had to call my grandparents and let them know about our Thanksgiving shenanigans.

My parents loved taking a risk, we took an impromptu vacation to San Francisco the next spring, my grandparents were in Laguna Beach at my Uncle’s house at the same time. We had a great time, no blizzards or hit and runs. And… my grandparents were never the wiser.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I’ve written a lot about the effects of the full moon on my students’ behavior. While scientific studies don’t conclusively support a direct link between the full moon and children’s behavior, many parents and teachers observe changes in children’s behavior during this phase of the lunar cycle. Some educators notice that children become more excitable, emotional, and active during the full moon. This week, my students were more prone to mood swings, crying, and frustration. Two of my students who are usually confident and independent were very whiny and needed more reassurance, band aids, and hugs this week.

November is a big birthday month in my class and with that comes cupcakes. As the sugar kicks in, their movements become quicker, they seem to be everywhere at once, running, jumping, and spinning around. Their voices get louder and they may giggle uncontrollably. This week my students acted out imaginary scenarios where they were super heroes with cupcake power. After this burst of energy, they begin to wind down, often putting their heads on the table. Some kids become cranky as the sugar dips in their bloodstreams.

Luckily, recess follows lunch so this incredible burst of energy is focused on running and playing outside. After recess we “Drop Everything And Read” for fifteen minutes. Five and six year olds choose their favorite “reading buddy” (stuffed animal) and settle down somewhere comfy in our room to read. More children fall asleep during “DEAR” when we’re experiencing a full moon, not unusual as many kindergartners still take naps or rest at home.

In 2002, kindergarten became full day as it was thought that children displayed notable gains in their academic performance. A full day of kindergarten offers more social and emotional benefits. Children have more time to focus on activities and the transition between activities is more relaxed. My students work very hard on reading and math for two hours in the morning. There are many class rules to follow and it can be nerve wracking to keep emotions in check. They look forward to their forty-five minutes of play before lunch. The “alphas” in our class might suggest the theme of each day’s play. Lately, the preferred choices are the castle with its dragon and fairies and being veterinarians at a zoo. A few choose to play quietly alone. Play time is like a breath of fresh air, these little children are able to express themselves freely.

During our very busy day, we take a moment to reconnect with our breath. We breathe with our hands on our hearts, feeling our heartbeats. We begin our day with a quick tapping exercise: touching our foreheads help us focus, our collarbone helps us feel strong, and tapping our wrists help us feel calm. We then move into a meditation. We have ”breathing wands” with five beads that we push from one side to the other as we take a big, deep breaths.

Just adding breath work as an interlude in each day centers my students and helps them re-connect with their bodies. We jump and swing our arms when transitioning from reading to math to relieve stored stress or tension. These simple exercises calm our nervous systems and promote relaxation.

Recently, I discovered a name for these techniques, Somatic Healing. I receive meditations from The Daily Om and a class on Somatic Healing was offered. Somatic healing is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the connection between mind and body to promote emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing. The word somatic comes from the Greek word, soma, meaning “body.” Somatic healing helps individuals process and release trauma or stress by focusing on bodily awareness rather than solely talking or analyzing. Somatic healing techniques help calm the fight-flight-freeze response often associated with trauma and stress. Meditation mentor, Julie Slovis uses the phrase, “feel it to heal it” to guide students in her somatic healing class.

Somatic healing can empower both children and adults alike to understand their bodies, regulate their emotions, and develop lifelong tools for resilience and self-awareness.

I’ve played “Words with Friends” for years but recently I turned to “Zen Word” for relaxation, to improve memory function, and because I love word games. The “pop up” ads are really annoying but compelling, I watched an ad and became interested in a silly game called, “Tile Family”. “Tile Family”is a color and shape matching/puzzle game that requires strategic thinking and speedy decision making. It is quick and simple. Matching, sorting, and classifying are part of most Kindergarten math modules so I feel like I’m doing research for school while playing.

“Tile Family” is a game of collecting three matching tiles. I learned that our brains love the number three as our short term memory can hold only three things at a time. The number three is the lowest figure that can create patterns in our mind and our brains love patterns. Productivity experts rave about doing things in threes, keeping things limited to threes allows greater focus without becoming overwhelmed.

My inbox is full of suggestions, games, and activities for holidays and daily celebrations for school age children. This week I received emails about World Kindness Day on 11/13 and Fibonacci Day on 11/23. I did a “deep dive” into Fibonacci Day and felt a glimmer of “deja vu,” I had studied this number sequence in elementary school math, it’s a little obsessive-compulsive game of addition where each number is added to the last.

Fibonacci Day is celebrated annually on November 23 because when written out in mm/dd form, the date (11/23) forms a Fibonacci sequence: 1,1,2,3. The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers in which each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers ( for example: 0,1,2,3,5,8,13,21, and so on).

Fibonacci day is named for Leonardo Pisano, one of the greatest mathematicians in the Middle Ages who introduced the basis of modern arithmetic to the Western world. During his lifetime, Pisano, more commonly known as Fibonacci, became a well respected mathematician and was regarded as an icon in Italy. Sadly, after his death in 1240, his name disappeared from the pages of any writing on the history of mathematics.

It wasn’t until the late 18th century that a mathematician named Pierre Cosalli noticed a name he hadn’t seen before, Leonardo Pisano, (aka Fibonacci). Cosalli was curious to know more about the mystery math man. In his research, Cosalli discovered how important a role Fibonacci played in the development of modern arithmetic and Fibonacci’s years of anonymity came to an end.

The Fibonacci spiral in art and architecture refers to a shape that is based on the Fibonacci sequence. Artists use the Fibonacci spiral to create visually pleasing compositions. It allows artists to establish a harmonious balance between shapes and sizes, resulting in aesthetically pleasing artworks.

Biologists have proven that the Fibonacci spiral is a pattern that also occurs in nature, particularly in plants and animals. It is observed in the growth patterns of various organisms. The spiral can be seen in the arrangement of leaves on a stem, the shape of shells, the branching of trees, and even the arrangement of seeds in a sunflower.

A Fibonacci spiral in spirituality represents the inherent order and harmony in the universe. It also symbolizes growth and balance. As the spiral expands, it is an example of the unfolding of life’s journey and the constant expansion of consciousness. It reminds us of the interconnectedness of all living beings, as each number in the Fibonacci sequence is connected to the previous and subsequent numbers, just like our own connections with others. According to the Culture Cross website, by contemplating the Fibonacci spiral, we can tap into its spiritual energy and find solace in the order and balance it illustrates. It reminds us to embrace the natural rhythm of life, fostering growth in our own spiritual journey. The Fibonacci spiral’s spiritual significance lies in its ability to remind us of the divine order present in nature and within ourselves.

The full moon, a breathtaking celestial show, occurs roughly every 29.5 days. During this phase, the Earth, Sun, and Moon form a nearly straight line, bathing the moon’s surface in sunlight, creating the full moon we see.

The “lunar effect” theory suggests that the full moon may influence human emotions, leading to increased aggression, anxiety, or erratic behavior. Many psychologists suggest the belief in the “full moon effect” may be a cognitive bias, where people notice unusual behavior more during a full moon because they are primed to expect it.

Some studies have investigated a possible connection between the full moon and mental health crises, especially among those with mood disorders. Historically, the term, “lunacy” (from “luna” the Latin name for the moon) was based on the belief that the full moon could trigger episodes in people with mental illnesses. The full moon can trigger strong emotions and uncomfortable sensations. The full moon is also known to cause temporary sleep disruptions.

As I drove down Dover Street at seven A.M. on October 17, the full moon was a glowing, fully illuminated, orb hanging in the sky ahead of me. I was so excited about the beauty and placement of this moon that I took a photo while driving. The presence of the moon felt like a good morning gift to me, a little “wake-up” call to interrupt the monotony of my early morning drive. Little did I know that this celestial pearl was the harbinger of a huge shift in my life. The usual aches and pains as well as rollercoaster emotions were expected but the sledgehammer of challenges was an unwelcome surprise.

I’m a huge believer in the superstition that bad things come in threes. Despite the fact that the belief in bad luck coming in threes isn’t directly related to the full moon, three challenges have befallen my family since the full moon.

While the origins of “bad luck in three’s” are unknown, one superstition emerged during the Crimean war, where soldiers were warned against lighting three cigarettes from the same match to avoid being spotted by the enemy. Psychologists believe that our innate desire for certainty and pattern recognition are an explanation. This assigned pattern has a name: apophenia. Apophenia is an error of perception: the tendency to interpret random patterns as meaningful.

I always breathe a sigh of relief when the third bad thing rears its ugly head. Whew! We’re safe for awhile, enough time to maneuver the negative forces in our life at the moment.

I Am Not Okay by Jelly Roll came on Pandora the next morning as I was making my lunch for work. The song made me pause, questioning, “am I okay?” I’m usually okay so I ignored the question/warning. I’m still okay two weeks later but the universe’s message was loud and clear, stop and pay attention. I read an email later that day from psychic, Rebecca Rosen suggesting that I needed to “reconnect with source.” Rebecca’s email said that while our souls know “truth” it can be common to become disconnected from our higher self at various points in our lives. Later that day, I was drawn to my “toolbox” of stress reduction, essential oils, meditation, and crystals.

Whether your run of bad luck is over is up to you. Burning sage, sweeping, or lighting candles are always a good idea, but the best bet is to change perspective. Realize that life is what you make it, and try to stop negative thoughts. Realizing that overcoming adversity results in growth makes having a positive attitude easier to maintain.

“This too shall pass” is a saying used in my family for times such as these. It’s based on a Persian adage made famous by Edward Fitzgerald’s “Solomon’s Seal”. In the story, King Solomon aims to create a sentence that will always be true – whether times are good or bad. In it, he responds, “this, too, will pass away”.

Politeness is more than a set of manners, although it is often perceived as a simple, “please” and “thank you” and holding the door open. I have learned that the power of being polite goes deeper, it can ease tense situations and even bring out the best in those around us.

Politeness involves showing respect and empathy towards others. Being polite can include a simple smile, giving others the space to speak, and asking someone how they are really doing. Politeness makes daily interactions much more enjoyable.

A study by NIH in 2011 showed that politeness can be good for our mental health. When empathy and kindness are demonstrated, positive responses are received. Treating others well builds self respect and self confidence. Politeness brings people together. In workplaces, polite and respectful communication fosters teamwork and boosts morale. In neighborhoods, politeness builds trust and creates a safer, more connected community. When you’re polite you show others the value of respect.

Diane Gottsman, the author of “Modern Etiquette for a Better Life” says that there are a few old fashioned manners that kids today are not being taught. Whenever my kindergarten students speak to me, I make sure that my eyes are level with theirs, making eye contact is important. Standing up when being introduced to someone new and shaking hands is another outdated formality that I learned as a child, taught my own children, and now teach my grandchildren and students.

Manners and polite behavior were of utmost importance in my family. From an early age, I learned the intricacies of navigating formal table settings that included finger bowls. No elbows on the table, chew with your mouth shut, don’t talk with your mouth full, cut small bites of food one at a time, and napkin always in your lap. Proper knife and fork skills were modeled by my parents, hold the index finger on the top of the knife blade with remaining four fingers wrapped around the handle, no fists involved. When not in use, with the blade facing in, the knife was placed at twelve and three o’clock on the plate.

Handshakes were also important in my family. I was taught to always keep my drink in my left hand with my right hand free at a cocktail party, in order to offer a dry hand in a firm, not crushing or limp handshake.

Politeness is more than a social formality, it’s about finding balance, showing respect to others while respecting ourselves in words and actions. Politeness is a powerful tool that encourages respect, trust, and empathy in our everyday lives. Being polite may seem small but it has a big impact. In today’s fast paced world, I believe that politeness offers a way to connect, communicate, and build better relationships. Politeness and respect are essential qualities that foster understanding and promote cooperation. They are vital for creating a harmonious society where individuals feel respected.

“True power and true politeness are above vanity” – VoltairePoliteness

Routine is important for brain development, according to Psychology Today. Developing a new habit requires motivation, repetition, and consistency. One must practice the habit over and over until it becomes automatic. That’s how our brains build new synaptic connections, the place in our brain where neurons transmit and process information.

My kindergarten students have been in class for thirty-seven days. We have a solid daily routine/habit that they know and count on. We begin each day with a writing exercise then move to our morning message with the entire school. Circle time includes some seasonal finger plays, the weather, calendar work, and a couple of mindfulness exercises. The transition to our language arts block is always after I have read a book aloud (one of my favorite things to do). Snack then Math then free play time. After lunch my students have recess, then the entire school comes together for a brief news break with Lester Holt (in my opinion, the only news that all of us should watch). The afternoon consists of Science and Social Studies, physical education, art, and music classes. Just before dismissal everyday, I ask each child what their favorite part of the day was.

Next week marks the end of the first quarter of school and with that the time for report cards and parent conferences. I am impressed with the high level of learning that has occurred in these thirty-seven days. My students have memorized lengthy songs and the actions that accompany those songs. They remind me if I’ve skipped an activity such as picking an emotion peg doll that coincides with their current feelings. These little five year olds know their vowels, punctuation marks, all the parts of a book, and they are beginning to read by “sounding out” the letters in words. These precious little ones are learning geometry, addition, and subtraction through daily practice using songs, games, and manipulative.

We celebrate together when a classmate has achieved a new milestone, the pride upon achieving that success is so joyful. I tell my students to, “kiss your brain” in celebration of a new synaptic connection. We talk a lot about neurons in kindergarten, my students know that the 100 billion neurons in our brains make connections with other neurons creating pathways that share information making us smarter. They know mistakes are made because their brains are still growing.

My brain is tired at the end of each school day so I have been “habit stacking” to improve my mental health. I recently read an article in Forbes that explains that listening to ten minutes of music can clear your mind so I intend to add music to my daily after school walk with my dog.

Habit Stacking: 97 Small Changes That Take Five Minutes Or Less is a book by S.J. Scott. This book suggests that adding small actions to our day can create lifelong positive benefits. The concept of “habit stacking” is based on the idea that our brains are more likely to adopt new behaviors when they’re associated with an action we’re already used to doing. The established habit serves as a reminder to for the new one, making it easier to perform consistently.

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Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner who was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting, and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband, Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling. 

Little Golden Books are a beloved staple in children’s literature. These books were created during World War ll when families were looking for affordable entertainment. Priced at just 25 cents, these books were accessible to a broad audience.

George’s Duplaix is credited with inventing the Little Golden Book concept. Duplaix came up with the idea while working in the children’s book division of Western Publishing. Duplaix’s plan was to create a line of inexpensive, durable, and colorful books for children. At the time, children’s books were expensive and typically only owned by wealthy families.

The first twelve titles were released in October, 1942, their appeal was immediate. Children were drawn to the large full color illustrations on each page. Parents appreciated the affordability and the educational content. Within five months, the first print run of 1.5 million books had sold out. Little Golden Books were sold where families shopped together, such as grocery and drug stores.

In a world where screens dominate, there is something magical for children in the experience of holding a Little Golden Book. For generations, this magic has created lasting memories for all who read them. While the original books might seem dated with their stories about life in the mid 1900’s, the themes they explore remain universal. Stories about friendship, curiosity, perseverance, and kindness are timeless, making these books as relevant today as they were when they were first published.

The success of the Little Golden Books is attributed to the talent of the writers and illustrators. Richard Scarry, Margaret Wise Brown, and Garth Williams all contributed to this series of books. Richard Scarry was very popular because of his illustrations of animals navigating everyday life while dressed in human clothing. Little Golden Books focused on simple but engaging stories that resonated with children of all backgrounds. Many stories featured curious puppies, mischievous kittens, and adventurous children with everyday experiences that children could connect with.

My family loved reading, there were bookshelves filled with children’s books, including many of my parent’s favorite childhood books. Raggedy Ann and Andy stories, Winnie the Pooh, The Velveteen Rabbit, Millions of Cats, the entire series of OZ books, Robinson Crusoe, Eight Cousins, Pollyanna, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, and Grimm’s Fairy Tales were just a few of the books that my parents treasured as children. Books were always a welcome gift for birthdays and Christmas. We’d stock up on paperbacks at our local bookstore for summer afternoon reading.

With two older siblings, our Little Golden Book library was very full, but my Mom was always happy to buy the latest Little Golden Book sitting in the rack near the check out aisle at the Safeway.

One book still sticks in my mind as a personal favorite, I received a Quick Draw McGraw Little Golden Book after having my tonsils removed at age five. I loved every inch of that book. The continued success of Little Golden Books is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling. These little books with their golden spine and timeless tales, have fostered a love of reading in countless children.

Author Diane Muldrow was so inspired that she wrote a book titled, Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book. This humorous book styled exactly like a Little Golden Book with its foil spine, offers advice for getting the most out of life. The pages are filled with a whimsical combination of illustrations and excerpts from iconic stories such as The Poky Little Puppy.

A copy of The Poky Little Puppy bought today is essentially the same as the one printed in 1942. There are twelve hundred Little Golden Book titles currently being published each year by Random House. First editions of the original twelve books printed in 1942 are being sold at auction for fifty to two hundred dollars each, depending on the condition.

The latest Little Golden Book is available for pre-order and will be released on October 15, 2024. The upcoming movie, Wicked, has inspired, I am Elphaba. This Little Golden Book is about a young witch with green skin who is an outcast. I am Elphaba promises to delight children between the ages of two to five years old.

Little Golden Books have been a reflection of our times. With subjects ranging from history to pop culture to classic fairy tales, children and their parents are sure to find a book to match their interest.

“A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.” — Neil Gaiman

Some psychologists believe that clowns can be scary in part because we can’t read genuine emotion on a clown’s face. Clowns are also unpredictable and manic, which can generate apprehension, particularly in children.

Fear of clowns, officially known as coulrophobia, is a relatively new phenomenon created by clowns like Stephen King’s, Pennywise who preys on children and lives in the sewers. This evil clown, also known as the creepy or scary clown is a subversion of the traditional playful character and is depicted in a more disturbing nature with the use of horror elements and dark humor.

Clowns became popular as charity workers, entertaining sick children in hospitals. These therapy clowns used pantomime to ease a child’s anxiety and were shown to have generally positive effects on the children’s wellbeing.

The most recognizable clowns are those that perform in the circus, characterized by a red nose, colorful wigs, and oversized shoes. In the early twentieth century, North American circuses developed characters such as the tramp or the hobo.

Kids television in the 1950’s and 1960’s included Bozo the Clown with his sidekick, Cookie. The hour long, live show featured comedy sketches, circus acts, cartoons, games and prizes with a live audience of over two hundred excited children. These children sometimes waited as much as a year for their chance to be in the show’s audience. Bozo’s face was painted white with high eyebrows and an exaggerated smear of red for a mouth. Bozo’s makeup and uniform might now seem grotesque and sinister to some people.

Many birthday parties in the twentieth century included a clown. There isn’t any evidence that children in the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s were afraid of clowns. The clown’s role is to entertain a group with juggling, magic tricks, balloon twisting, stilt walking, and unicycling. My youngest son requested a clown as entertainment at his sixth birthday party. The clown was a huge hit with the party guests.

My parents, friend, Dolly was a clown whose costume was similar to raggedy Ann with her red mop wig, white pinafore, and striped socks. Dolly drove a Model T car and was a prominent figure at the Rodeo parades. Dolly was a city council member who owned a sheep ranch with her brother, she was also a contributing writer for The Casper Star Tribune.

Groucho Marx called Red Skelton “the most unacclaimed clown in show business, he’s the last of the great clowns.” Red Skelton got his start as a minstrel and a circus clown, then graduated to vaudeville. He was signed to a movie contract in 1940, advancing his comedy career. Skelton believed that he was put on this earth to make people laugh.

The Red Skelton Show, which aired from 1951-1971, was a favorite of my family. Once a week, we’d watch Red become some of our favorite characters, “Freddie the Freeloader” and “Clem Kaddidlehopper”. “Freddie” was a sensitive hobo who lived at the city dump. “Freddie’s” make up was minimal, black greasepaint at the jawline and a touch of white on his lips and eyelids. “Freddie” was a kind, generous clown.

The show began with Red’s monologue, followed by a guest star performance, usually a singer. The Beach Boys made their television debut in 1963. The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Supremes, Tom Jones, Johnny Mathis, and Dionne Warwick were a few performers on the show. John Wayne, Jack Benny, Phyllis Diller, and Carol Channing were notable guests that took part in the show’s comedy sketches. In later years, the show generally finished with “The Silent Spot” with Red pantomiming one of his characters. The show closed with Red Skelton looking directly into the camera and saying, “Good night and may God bless.”

One evening after dinner, many years ago, my family and I were walking around the shops at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. We came upon a gallery showing of Red Skelton’s paintings. My children were young and loved clowns so they were delighted to look at the paintings. We were gathered around a colorful painting of a clown and up walked Red Skelton himself. He greeted us as if we were guests at his party. After speaking to my older children, Red Skeleton took my two month old baby out of my arms and began rocking and singing to her. She gave him a huge gummy smile and a giggle. We had all met and fallen in love with a real life clown.

 

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Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner who was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting, and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband, Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling. 

Studies have shown an overall increase in the gray matter in the brains of people who regularly engage in artistic hobbies or careers. This means that drawing regularly will help keep your mind healthy and growing gray matter.

Sketching is good for all ages and it has nothing to do with the end result. It’s all about the process, a process that improves our general wellbeing. Young children typically draw from their imaginations, it’s how they express their understanding of the world. As we reach adolescence we develop a preference for realistic drawing and find that our ability doesn’t match our expectations.

Art is a great tool for people to explore and express their emotions. Drawing can help communicate your inner thoughts to others which can be healthy in growing your emotional intelligence. Drawing requires you to be more present in the moment, you tune into your feelings, thoughts, and your environment. Drawing or sketching has been proven to increase positive emotions and decrease negative feelings. Studies show that people who regularly engage in drawing are more likely to be more relaxed and optimistic.

Engaging in artistic activities can help improve your memory. Alzheimer’s research suggests that drawing helps our brain strengthen its ability to remember things. Drawing forces us to use our “mental storage” skills to recall a range of techniques and artistic knowledge.

My siblings and I were concerned about moving our mother to assisted living, but the facility’s arts program was a deciding factor in our choice. Mom had been an artist her entire life, she was a concert pianist, an accomplished artist, and loved sewing. As Mom approached her eighties, she was still very active, playing the piano and playing Bridge with her friends. Slowly, and quietly, as her dementia progressed, Mom began to discontinue her social and artistic activities, it’s almost as if she became a hermit. In her first years of assisted living, Mom was engaged again with social and artistic activities. She attended concerts and visited museums. She began art classes, her creative spark returned and as a result I have the last collection of her watercolor drawings.

As a teacher, it is important to me to keep my student’s imaginations alive and active. I witness their play and notice that some of it is directed by which movie or tv show they are watching. Sonic and Transformers are the current obsession with the boys. As a class, we paint, color, draw, or sculpt (playdoh) on a daily basis. Luckily, most of my kindergartners enjoy the creative process. It is wonderful to be a part of their lives before they begin doubting their creative ability. Our class talks alot about growth mindset and especially growing our neurons, they love the work but also know that it is healthy for their brains.

The Big Draw is the world’s largest drawing festival. It was founded in the United Kingdom in 2000 as an event and charity to raise the profile of drawing as a tool for well being. Every October over 500,000 people participate in The Big Draw Festival all over the world. Drawing in Motion is the theme for 2024. The Big Draw Has celebrations and activities planned at the Mispillion Art League in Milford, Delaware.

Calmtober is another great way to begin a drawing journey. If you follow @kriksisart on Instagram, you will find her beautiful list. There are prompts for every second day in October which include a teapot, rain, and a moth. I just bought a new watercolor paint palette and intend to follow along. An enjoyable way to celebrate the fall season.

 

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Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner who was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting, and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband, Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.