When I was younger, sure I watched the occasional cartoon. But, nothing quite compared to the relished episodes of "The Joy of Painting", and "Sewing with Nancy". First, let us discuss The Joy of Painting. It was hosted by Bob Ross, who had a relaxation tape voice, a head and face full of hair, and a repertoire of sounds effects to go along with his painting motions . But, most impressively the relaxation tape voice. I would sit through the entire show, my mouth ajar and my eyes somewhat hazy and glazed over. His favorite paint colors (used in almost every episode) were vandyke brown, and titanium white. He was a fan of referring to trees or shrubs and their appendages,( ie. branches, twigs) as "little guys". For example, he would say:
"Maybe there is a little guy (a tree) hiding right back in here.
then as he is drawing it into the painting he says:
"theeeere we go...right up there like that. And maybe there are some little guys (some branches) that are sticking out like so."
Loved it. I especially loved when he painted the leaves for trees. He would dab the brush in about 4 different colors of paint and then tap, tap, tap it onto the painting. Stunning. Second only to The Joy of Painting was Sewing with Nancy. Okay, I'm not sure where to start with this one without possibly offending someone. She has some sort of facial impairment which was fascinating to me as a young child. I watched faithfully thinking that surely today would be the day I would figure it out, or that she would finally tell her story. Oh contrair. She was strictly business. I don't think she ever cracked a smile (although, I don't know if she physically could) and she was very no nonsense. I will admit I watched the whole episode for the little helpful hints sent in by viewers at the end of the show. Just a sampling of things I learned from the helpful hints segment:
1. You can solve the problem of out of shape shoulder pads (shoulder pads were a hot topic on her show) by, washing them and then hanging them over the shower rod and clipping the ends together with a clothes pin.
2. You can orderly store scraps of lace by wrapping them around empty paper towel tubes
3. You can use a pill organizer to store your sewing machine feet
These helpful tips were in no way relative to my life at the time (nor would they be of any use later in life). But I know there are people out there whose lives were simplified (and shoulders squared) all because of Nance. Thanks, toots.
Does anyone remember these guys? Was I the only weird child?
11 comments:
I like how your mind works girl! These were shows that you just couldn't stop watching. I always loved the "happy little trees" and something about "never making mistakes, just happy little accidents" - everything was so happy in Bob's world, in that hippy-dippy, peaceful, mellow kind of way.
You're not alone. Loved Bob Ross. Was famous for my Sewing with Nancy impersonation in junior high, but retired it because my mom said she had Bells Palsy. And that may have been the exact moment that I blossomed into a more sensitive and appropriate individual. Thanks, Nancy.
I totally loved watching Bob Ross too. Watched him often in fact. He was awesome...part of me just loved his hair! Sewing lady...never seen her before. Funny...I was just thinking about the painting guy the other day.
I remember them both and did enjoy the paint guy a little. I tend to get a little restless after watching for too long. And never really watched Nancy. Sewing just never has really done it for me. You may remember my quilt at college? My worst grade at Snow was in that stinkin quiltmaking class. Sorry to keep bringing up these college memories, but every one of your posts makes me remember something or other!
Now Brian....he can watch that paint guy for hours!! He loved that show! So, no, you're not alone! Remember the aerobics on KBYU with that dark haired chick that had a side ponytail? Now that I remember!
Oh my gosh! I was just on You Tube trying to find a clip from that aerobics show. The one with 3 different levels, right? The lady with long dark hair always wore it in a side ponytail. There was also a guy and one other lady. Does anyone remember what that was called?
Kudos for at least trying the quilt class Kelli. The farthest I brached out at Snow, was a bowling class which really didn't require much effort.....or skill.
OK, well, that is weird...thinking of that aerobics show at the same time? Yep that's the one I was talking about. Ha-ha! Too funny!
Adri lives in Redmond, right by Salina. You knew that right? We see each other quite a bit. It's so fun! I have tried and tried to talk her into blogging. I really don't think she ever will. She's pretty private these days. Still the same Adri, just a little more to herself. They just built a house so maybe when she's all moved in and settled...but, seriously, I doubt it! I'll keep trying though!
"just tickle the the trees...tickle the trees" - thank you Bob Ross.
Oh my gosh, Tiffany, that is too funny how you remember all this stuff! I totally remember watching the painting guy! I thought he was amazing too - the sound effects were the best. I missed out on Nancy though - maybe that was before my tv days?
Tiff you are crazy, and weird. That is the thing that makes us love you so much. It is this very thing that makes us click on your blog first when we all go "blogging" You are great. I did watch the painting show with moke once in a while. I was amazed by two things, one the hair, two the flawles paintings.
Tiff, you forgot burnt umber! I LOVED Bob Ross. I cried a little tear when I found out he passed away. I used to watch Nancy every now and then, too. Too funny. I about laughed to the point of crying when I read this post. Thanks for the laugh...you're a hoot.
I totally remember burnt umber. Bob ross was amazing. I still think he was doing magic. How do you make a picture come together like that?
The aerobics was called Hooked on Aerobics and my cousin and I got up in the mornings after sleepovers to follow along when I was like 5.
My mom always said that Nancy had had a stroke, and could remember her from before. Apparently the chic was a genius. I know I learned a lot! You made my day with this trip down memory lane!
Jaimee
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