Who doesn't love a Kewpie doll? The adorable little creatures have been around since way before I was born and I can't remember a time when I didn't own at least one. I think I must have about 40 of them now. (Not including the ones in the attic, of course.)

Modeled after Cupid, the Roman God of Love, Kewpie got her start as a comic strip in the early 1900s. A symbol of love and innocence, she was featured  in the "Ladies Home Journal" and other women's magazines. Like Cupid,  Kewpie battled injustice and helped people who were in trouble. Or sometimes she just made magazine readers laugh.

I fell in love with Kewpie dolls as soon as I saw one. They were irresistible to me then and they still are. With their cherubic faces and that cute little sideways glance that spells mischief, mystery and fun, I just can't stop collecting them. Even if some of them have to live up in the attic.

I didn't get a lot of sleep last night because I stumbled on an I Love Lucy marathon on TV. I was only going to watch one or two — maybe three — episodes. But six hours and hundreds of laughs later, I was still watching. I couldn't stop even though I've seen every one of them at least a dozen times.

I got to see the chocolate factory episode (which was actually titled "Job Switching"). It was as hilarious as ever watching Lucy and Ethel bite off more than they can chew while a wordless supervisor tried to show them how to keep up with the conveyor. I think it was even funnier because now I know that the supervisor was an actual candy dipper from the See's candy factory.

I almost turned off the TV after that one, but next came Lucy as your Vitameatavegamin Girl. It's one of the most remembered and funniest episodes ever, voted the "fan favorite" during a 50th anniversary special. So, you know I had to watch that one, too.

Finally, at three in the morning, I had to turn off the TV and drag myself to bed. Sure, I'm a little sleepy today but it was worth it. I'll just have a little Vitameatavegamin Cocoa. That'll should fix me right up!

First published in 1939, the "Curious George" books were among my favorites when I was growing up. I read them over and over until I wore out the pages. I remember being sad when the little monkey had to go live at the zoo and then happy when he escaped and The Man with the Yellow Hat decided to let George live with him.

I followed the little monkey's adventures closely, through all seven books. I loved it when he got a bicycle and got to join the circus. I journeyed with him to space and back. I flew up, up in the air with him when he learned to fly a kite.

George is now a huge star all over the world. He has his own TV shows and everything. But George hasn't changed with all that fame.  All these years later, he's still my favorite mischievous house monkey. And I still have every one of those old, worn out books up in the attic.

When we went out to visit Grandad's old farm last weekend, we didn't call ahead. We didn't plan to stop. We just wanted to have a look at the place. I think we half expected it to be converted to a commercial venture, but the people who bought the place still farm it just like my grandparents did: as a family. A couple of the kids were working outside and they hollered for their parents to come out. They all welcomed us with open arms.

We told them stories of 'helping' Grandad with the crops before the school season started, though we were a bit too young for the job. Plus, we'd grown up in town and "didn't know bugs" about farming, as he would say. When I piped up about how I used to love riding on the big red tractor with Grandad, the oldest boy said, "I got something to show you."

We all tromped out to the barn and when the boy flung open the doors, there it was: Grandad's old Farmall. None of us could believe it. They'd kept it running all these years. With their permission, I  climbed up into the wide, familiar seat.

It was a magic moment, sitting atop that old red tractor. I felt transported back to the days when I'd ride along with Grandad, the dirt swirling up around us as the sun fell off the horizon. I'll never forget those long summer days. Or that old Farmall. I'm glad it's still around. And still doing its job.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice premiered last weekend. The lines were long. The fans were enthusiastic. And, as promised, the movie was a non-stop, action-fueled thrill ride.