I'm not afraid of flying monkeys, but the freeway is a different story.

Who doesn't wish there was some place where there isn't any trouble? Since I was very young I have had an Oz-session. I was there in front of the black and white television loving The Wizard of Oz - even when I didn't know there was color as soon as Dorothy stepped out of the house into Munchkin Land. I watched it every year without fail, often missing school activities because I preferred the movie to real life. I am not sure when I started collecting the "stuff" - but I believe I was already an adult. Now I have the movie on DVD and VHS - probably more than one of each and even so, if I see it on television when I am scanning the channels I will watch it again.

I love the characters. I can't choose a favorite because there is something in each of them that I can relate to. Much like Dorothy, I have a tendency to want to run away from trouble and in the process, find myself helping others with their own problems. I am also like the scarecrow, not giving myself credit for my intelligence. In fact, when I was working at the Herald you could hear me singing "If I only had a brain" at least once a week. My daughter once awarded me a little pin with the cowardly lion on it - just because I had conquered a fear and driven to Bellingham to see her. Yes, I am cowardly at times, especially on the freeway. Now for the tin man. Well, he does have a heart and so do I and I agree with the wizard that I wish hearts could be made unbreakable. I guess we all have to learn that having our heart broken a time or two really does build character.

Speaking of character - I love to get in character, which is why I have always loved Halloween. Any time I can be someone other than myself it is a good day, especially when that someone is larger than life. I have been Dorothy and I have been Glinda.  When my daughter was little I made her a Dorothy costume too. I still want to be the wicked witch - but only if I can have the real costume, green face and all! The only hard part is that Darrell just doesn't want to be anyone from my favorite movie. Believe me, I have tried to convince him that being the wizard might be fun.
I always find it difficult to understand when people tell me they are afraid of the flying monkeys, the winkie guards or the witch. I have never been afraid of anything Oz! To me they are all like old friends who never change and are always there just waiting for me.
I love predictability.