The Tao of Sesame Street

A Loaf of Bread, a Container of Milk and a Stick of Butter

A loaf of bread, a container of milk and a stick of butter: To some, it’s is a simple shopping list. To others, especially those who grew up in the 70’s, it’s the memorable line from a classic Sesame Street clip. A little girl is asked by her mother to go to the store for a loaf of bread, a container of milk and a stick of butter.

“Do you want me to write it down for you?” the mom asks?

“No,” the little girl assures her, “I can remember.” And she does, repeating the list all the way to the store: A loaf of bread, a container of milk and a stick of butter. That little girl wasn’t the only one who remembered that shopping list. Thousands of little kids, including myself, remembered it too.

Today, when this list popped into my head, I did a quick Google search of that phrase and several blogs came up referring to that little animated scene from Sesame Street. I even found a link to the actual clip! I love the way the internet validates these random memories of mine and instantly lets me know that lots of other people are taking similar trips down memory lane.

So, you might be wondering what it was that sparked my memory of Sesame Street’s loaf of bread, container of milk and stick of butter.

It all started when I woke up. It had been relatively quiet downstairs, so I didn’t worry much as I lay in bed. I came downstairs, assuming I’d find my 3 sweet boys sitting together on the couch watching an enriching episode of Sponge Bob Square Pants, all cuddled together under the same blanket. Obviously, I must have still been in a dream-like state to think I’d find this utopian scene in my own family room.