There can be few things as wonderful as watching your children watch Wizard of Oz as if the very first time. We rent it about once a year. I must admit this is when I really enjoy something like a video monitor and a commercial-free movie.

When I was a child, the Wicked Witch was the scariest thing I saw on television. She frightened me throughout my entire small years. What a wonderful tradition to hand down!

My little daughter ran into the kitchen, closing the swinging door behind her, every time the movie even approached a Witch scene. This girl has (I admit to my shame) with her brothers watched Orks getting theirs in The Lord of the Rings. We'd cover her eyes a lot but the point is, she didn't really have a problem with Orks.

There is nothing like a good old fashioned green skinned, broom riding, fire throwing, screeching old witch to throw a genuine shiver into a young one.

I am not one who likes to scare children. I just thought I'd mention this. There are several wonderful parts of the movie, as you know. I loved watching my children's faces as they took in The Lollypop Guild, all of the wonderful songs, the Good Witch, the first meeting of the Scarecrow, TinMan, and Lion...

"Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore," has become part of our cultural heritage. I really enjoyed sharing this movie with a new generation. It's priceless!

p.s. Another priceless interlude: my children are right now laughing over the (rented) antics of BugsBunny, DaffyDuck, RoadRunner, etc. I don't remember laughing at them: then again, I was probably desensitized after days and weeks of viewing. My children think the old cartoons are hilarious! Now I am laughing with them.