The View From Here – The Power Of Nostalgia, Home Gardening Projects And More

May 13, 2020 2:27 pm Published by Carrie Buchanan

These past few weeks have been hard on all of us in different ways, but I’ve noticed that the way we cope comes back to comfort. And a lot of nostalgia.

There’s a reason so many people are baking, and going back to recipes that make you feel good and remember good times. Banana bread “just like gramma used to make” or that old chili recipe mom made. It’s called “comfort food” for a reason.

We are reaching back to what made us feel good. For some of us, that is going back to childhood. It’s why I’m going back to Jello, and tea biscuits, and old music and tv shows.

My daughter was excited to have me watch Disney Singalong Two with her last night (it came out on Disney Plus on Sunday!).

There is something about Disney that reminds me of Sunday nights in our house. It was how we ended the weekend. We had dinner as a family and then we gathered around to watch The Wonderful World of Disney – Disney Sunday Family Movie Night.

So when we sat down to watch Disney Singalong, and Kermit the Frog started the show, singing the opening number of the Muppets Show. “It’s time to play the music. It’s time to light the lights…..” I couldn’t look away.

Kermit invited Seth Rogan into the show, and the two started singing the theme song, and before you knew it – some big stars were on a screen (which we look at in Zoom a LOT these days) and I was transported back to childhood. Was it Friday nights? Watching the Muppet Show. Kermit. Miss Piggy. Gonzo. The Muppet Show was a variety show, featuring different sketches and musical numbers mixed in with the ongoing behind the scenes of putting the show together. Always a celebrity appearance. The show was so fun to watch.

Watch it. Disney Family Singalong if you can. Scroll down for a few of the shows performances.

My husband is a bit concerned because I’ve started trying to grow things. Like celery. And romaine lettuce. And peppers from seeds. It seems to be working. I’m feeling pretty proud of myself. And surprised that I haven’t killed them. Not sure what to do with them past this point. If you’re feeling adventurous – click HERE to learn more about how to grow your own lettuce and other veggies.

Anybody else surprised at what they suddenly have that free time to do? I can’t finish what I SWEAR is a broken jigsaw puzzle. But I can try to grow red peppers from seed from a post I saw online?

I’m talking to my house plants in the hopes of keeping them alive. I haven’t given them names yet, but I’m close.

I’ve also actually started scrapbooking. I’ve been really good at printing off hundreds of pictures at a time and sticking them in a photo box or envelope. I’ve been good at buying stickers for the scrapbook album I’m “going to get to someday”. I’m finally getting to some. Which I’m excited about.

For a long time I was afraid to use the pictures in case I “screw them up”. But now I’m just going for it. I’ve started with a collection of all the concerts I’ve been too, and artists I’ve been lucky enough to have met and interviewed in my radio career. Not only do I feel incredibly lucky, but also really old. (smile).