I vote choke the Blue Bird...

“Blue Bird” was a song that was taught to elementary school students back in the day. It was a simple song. It had a happy beat. And the pleasing tune would usually make a smile appear on everyone’s face. But there was a time I would have choked the darling little thing if it would have come within reach!

I am now, and have always been a “night owl”. Unlike most people, we night owls tend to have a difficult time with the standard daily schedule that most people live by. If left to my own devices, I will easily stay awake until four or five in the morning and sleep until noon. So, needless to say, I am not now, or have ever been a “morning” person.

That was not the case with my little sister Suzie. Unlike me, she would jump out of bed each morning with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. Her disposition aggravated me to no end. I could not stand a happy animated person before noon. Remember, after all, that had been my intended waking time all along. So, needless to say, I avoided her every morning. For if I encountered her lively temperament face to face, I would have to share my grouchy disposition which would result in my being in trouble.

You might be wondering what connection the “Blue Bird” song and Suzie have…

Well she learned that darn song. One morning, I finally got up after mother making the third or forth trip to my room. It took the threat of her throwing ice water on me to get me motivated. I knew better than to test her, for I knew she would not hesitate to do so. Anyway, as I stumbled to the bathroom I heard… “Blue Bird, Blue Bird, in and out my window. Blue Bird, Blue Bird, in and out my window. Blue Bird, Blue Bird, in and out my window. Oh Johnny I’m ti-erd!” It was Suzie! To others she sounded like an angel and what a pleasant way to start the day, being serenaded. Not me!

Now, not only did I have to persevere her being in such high spirits each morning, there was not escaping it! Her melodic voice echoed throughout the entire house. She was relentless. She would go on and on and on… I could not help myself; the mere sound was torture. Unfortunately, for me, I had to intervene on this insanity. I screamed for her to stop. Nothing I could come up with would bring her singing to an end. I resorted to tyrannically begging my mother to end the torment. To my misfortune mother was enjoying it, telling me to “leave your sister alone.” Suzie would not stop singing until she stepped on the school bus. But it was too late; my day was off to a bad start.