There
have been a few facebook postings lately about Monty Python - perhaps
another reunion or another anniversary. It is surprising, the
memories this stirs up – and surprising to realize that Monty
Python has been such a big part of my life. I remember watching
episodes of the Flying Circus on PBS on Friday nights back when I was
in high school. I vividly remember the man who walked into the
tobacco shop and was waited on by a topless female salesclerk – he
did not notice her because he was distracted with boredom (bombs were
exploding around him and robbers were lurking also – and he did not
notice – he was only anxious to get to the office to sit back and
read his comic book!) - when the Comedy Channel ran episodes of Monty
Python in the days since then, the topless portion of the salesclerk
is blocked out, but when I saw this for the first time, on PBS so
long ago – she was naked! On TV! And it was so funny.
So
many moments from those first viewings have stuck with me throughout
the years: the play Julius Caesar in flag semaphore, Dimsdale
the hedgehog, Michael Palin as Cardinal Richelieu, feeding the birds
in the park by throwing cans of food at them, Michael Palin as a
delivery milkman being lured into a house by a scantily clad woman
only to find himself locked into an upper bedroom already filled with
other hapless milkmen.
And
then there are the classics, of course – the dead parrot – is
there anyone who hasn't heard the
phrase he's not dead, he's just pining for the fjords!
Norwegian Blue, beautiful plumage! Or the school for silly
walks – arguments are down the hall! How
about Been shopping? Yes, bought a piston engine!
And
lines from their wonderful movies – it's just a flesh
wound; I vomit in your
general direction; but
what have the Romans done for us?;
Just a thin mint?
One
of the facebook postings this week said what are those
penguins doing on the telly? Oh
my gosh, it was just like being back on Zimmerman Road once again –
somehow that skit had tickled us so much then that a penguin
collection was begun – one that fit on the top of the telly – it
was Mom's collection –
relatives and acquaintances gave her penguins for any occasion –
silver, crystal, crochet. The penguins soon spilled over into other
items that did not sit on the telly – Christmas tree ornaments,
lamps, linens. It was an awesome display which brought a smile to
everyone – and to think it all began from a silly Monty Python skit
with some silly men in drag!
My
brothers could and probably still can do Monty Python skits, and this
family tradition continued to the next generation. One time when
Clark was visiting our house in Georgia – the girls were about 9
and 7 years old – the sunroom suddenly got quiet. Clark looked
around, and Sarah and Amanda walked in, one with a rag around her
head - they were re-enacting the my brain hurts routine
from Monty Python just for him! Clark seemed a little stunned – it
just came from out of no-where! I know I was stunned. And a tear came
to my eye – I was so proud!
One
could go through life, I suppose, without any Monty Python at all –
and I guess we might all be a little less twisted. But I contend that
every one of us needs a little Monty Python and I thank them for what
they have given to the world. Blessed are the cheesemakers!
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20150810 The Cheesemakers
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