How many of you out there remember the television show Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom?…
THE STORY
…I remember when I was but a wee one eagerly awaiting Sunday night so that I could settle in and watch The Wonderful World of Disney and Wild Kingdom. They ran back to back, and I sat utterly enthralled for an hour in front of the television. Well my friends, who knew that a) pretty much the entire catalog of full episodes of Wild Kingdom are available on YouTube, and b) middle school kids in the year 2016 are also utterly enthralled by it? Okay, yes, perhaps my kids are at a slightly different place than other middle schoolers, but still…
We are currently studying mammals, specifically North American mammals in science class and I was puttering around one day looking for videos on the individual animals the kids were researching. Imagine my delight when I stumbled upon my old buddy Marlin Perkins. When I showed the first one I figured the kids might find it hokey. Ummm…no. They became instantly obsessed. I mean obsessed. So now, every day we watch a different episode. We’ve even come up with our own game/inside joke. It’s similar to Where’s Waldo, but instead of Waldo, it’s Where’s Bobcat. I kid you not, that freakin’ bobcat has been in every damn episode that we’ve watched, with the exception of one. Every time the bobcat appears on screen, much hooting, hollering and chanting “bobcat, bobcat, bobcat…” commences. And that’s just me.
Here’s the mystery; the bobcat never, ever, ever gets a meal. Nope. He gets a sound ass kickin’ every time. He’s been beat down by raccoons, deer, badgers (although badgers are pretty bad ass), hawks, otters and beavers. Beavers. The little dude was beat down by a beaver. I kid you not. That to me is a sad commentary on bobcat hunting acumen. Actually I’ve been rather disillusioned by the bobcat. Consider the evidence. He is in every episode, and the show is not called Mutual of Omaha’s Bobcat Kingdom. He never scores any prey, yet he’s a healthy beefy guy. So here’s my theory. He lived at Marlin Perkins’ house. Not at his house so much as in his house. Snoozing on the couch in front of the fire. Getting his ears scratched while cuddled up in bed with Marlin. Eating bobcat kibble and filet mignon out of his own bowl that had “Bob” written on it in calligraphy. He was the unsung star of the show. Seems like a solid explanation for being a big scary wildcat yet getting your ass handed to you on a platter by a field mouse.
THE OUTFIT
This outfit is so me yet so not me. A blazer paired with dress pants? Uh, no; not something that happens. But, a blazer paired with dress pants and Converse and a slouchy sleeveless oxford stripe button down? There, that’s more like it. I happened upon this sleeveless button down blouse at Kohl’s while shopping with my husband on our playing hookie day. While at first glance an oxford stripe button down is so not me, the lack of sleeves and the super soft drapey material made it totally me. Because seriously, how cute is it going to be paired with destroyed denim shorts? And the lack of sleeves also makes it far easier to layer under a blazer; layers with no bulk, that’s always a good thing. Honestly, I had fully intended to wear my white kitten heel pumps, but after a weekend of working on my hands and knees in the flower beds, my problem foot was having issues from being bent in awkward positions for hours on end. Pumps were a no go and what is the most logical replacement for pumps? Converse of course.
THE TIP
When thinking about purchasing a new piece of clothing, always keep versatility in mind. Will it play well with things you already own? Can you wear it in a variety of situations i.e. work, weekend, night out? If it’s something that you wouldn’t usually wear, can you put your own personal spin on it to make it work for you?
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Shirt: Kohl’s; Blazer: JCPenney (Similar); Pants: GAP (Similar); Converse: Nordstrom
