Lassie, Marlin, and Humphrey

Our host's last post about Lassie brought to mind my Granddad Scowden. For those who don't know our clan, he was not the fellow pictured at the top of the page on his porch. No, this was my paternal grandfather whom Bob and I do not share.

It was our family's custom for many years to travel from Branson to Forsyth on Sunday afternoon to visit our grandparents. Our first stop was almost always the farm to see Poppy (the fellow on the porch) and grandma, though the times I saw her before she got ill I can scarcely remember.

After some time on the farm, we headed across the bridge to Granddad and Grandma Scowden's. There, Granddad would be sitting in his chair and probably have the TV on. Grandma would be in the kitchen where, later, we would probably be given some vanilla ice cream.

Meanwhile, Granddad had the Sunday shows on. 'Lassie' was one. He loved 'Lassie'. Mutual of Omaha's 'Wild Kingdom' would also be on. As was mentioned, it was a little more intense. Especially for Jim. It was Jim, while Marlin narrated, who wrestled anacondas and crocodiles.

Speaking of Marlin Perkins, he was a Missouri boy, born in Carthage, attending Mizzou, and serving two stints at the St. Louis Zoo, the second one as Director.

I saw 'The Wonderful World of Disney' at Granddad's quite often. I am sure I saw this there.