Introducing Wilson -

Remember when I talked about Steinbeck, my former Literary Mentor and Transitional Object? Well, just talking about Steinbeck made me miss him. I realized that I needed another Steinbeck in my life. So, while I was out shopping last week, I kept my eyes open, watching for a suitable LM&TO to present itself. Steinbeck was a black and white stuffed rabbit, so that's what I had in mind. I wasn't having much luck until I abandoned the casual approach, walked purposefully into Toys R Us, and headed for the stuffed animal department. I pulled several teddy bears and a couple of rabbits from their perches, one at a time, and gazed into their eyes, but none of them seemed right. The larger animals were a bit expensive. I set them aside and kept trying to find love on a budget. I spotted a shelf full of small dogs and cats, and woo-hoo! they were on sale. I picked up a little black and white puppy, looked him in the eye, tickled him under the chin, scratched his floppy ears, and fell in love.

I named him Wilson, after the volleyball who kept Tom Hanks company on the desert island in Castaway. He is about the size of an eight-week old Lab puppy.

Adopting Wilson was such a good idea. He has restored my failing ability to 'play pretend'. When I sit watching Jon Stewart late at night, I absent-mindedly pet Wilson. Occasionally I scratch his ears, and he goes heh-heh-heh-heh. I talk to him. I plan to take him out for a ride in the next couple of days, so he can have his picture taken sitting in a dogwood tree, or maybe a cherry tree. He likes that idea. I'm even considering a companion for him, maybe one of those teddy bears with a squared-off nose and curly, glossy fur the colour of Kraft caramels.

I found it curious that on both occasions that I've adopted a LM&TO, I've chosen one that was black and white. If I were looking to adopt a real live pet, I would be looking for someone brindle or
black and tan or Just Plain Brown - but stuffed animals are different. I finally remembered that my original Transitional Object, the one I had when I was a toddler, was a panda. Duh.

So here I am, recovering my lost infancy, teetering on the edge of total lunacy, but rather enjoying it.

And no, Wilson didn't type the post. He's just checking it for typos.