MORNINGS WITH THE CAPTAIN

A predecessor of Mr. Rogers, Captain Kangaroo was an awesome inspiration of Boomer kids back when. Bob Keeshen had a cast of Mr. Green Jeans, Bunny Rabbit, Mr. Moose and others. He showed the cartoon Tom Terrific with that mean old Isotope Feeney.

The Captain taught lessons and values and morals in an offhanded way that kids didn't know that they were learning them. There were lots of laughs and warm good hearted fun.

Old reruns of Captain Kangaroo don't exist; at least I've never seen any. And maybe that's a good thing. He couldn't stand up to the fast paced ipod/blackberry world of today. I can't see my grandkids enjoying the singing of "Here Comes Suzy Snowflake," but then again, maybe I underestimate the values the show presented.

I'd still like to see Bunny Rabbit add to his stash of carrots. I always rooted for him. And Mr. Green Jeans was as genuine as the Captain.

Good show. Good times. Good memories. And while the Captain never told us he liked us just the way we were, we knew he did.