Muppets not Muskets - My Dinner with Jim

by Sharon of Stray Notions

In those (real or imaginary) conversations where one is offered dinner (or whatever) with a hero of choice ... dead or alive ... Jim Henson has always been on my list. That's ignoring the fact that I'd probably be too awestruck to speak.

I didn't grow up with the Muppets but rather babysat for the kids who did, and from that time the fascination with a mind that could come up with the ideas he did always amazed me. So when the touring exhibit which is a tribute to him came to the Museum of Our National Heritage (MONH) I was there (twice). Once during Patriots week ... so while reenactors were recreating the shot heard round the world outside ... I was inside looking at sketchbooks, videos, constructions ... perhaps hoping that some of the magic would rub off and wondering about this thing we call creativity: Can you work at it? are you born with it? both?

And how cool is it that a the MONH a seemingly serious place saw fit to host this exhibit. The show has moved on (next stop Chicago) but the Museum seems to have an interesting mix of exhibits including, at the moment, spectacular large format photographs of all of our National Parks and a permanent collection on Freemasonry. Perhaps I'll return to learn those secrets. Admission is free (though I personally would encourage a voluntary donation).