"Look! Up in the sky!" "It's a bird!" "It's a plane!" "It's Superman!"

I remember crisp October afternoons when the sun shined with the clearest of light. It was long sleeve weather, and darkness came early. We'd play outside until my mother called. Once inside, we'd settle in front of the television to watch our favorite programs.

Today was Circus Day on the Mickey Mouse Club. Mickey was the ringmaster, and the Merry Mouseketeers were circus folk. Even now, I don't ever think of them as just plain Mouseketeers. They were and still are the Merry Mouseketeers. Each late afternoon I sat in front of the television and sang along, "Who's the leader of the club that's made for you and me?" I really did believe it was a club of which I was a member. I knew all the songs of the week and usually sang along. I always dreaded the end, " Now it's time to say goodbye to all our company."

Superman was also an every afternoon event. The opening, "Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive," still jumps around in my memory. I didn't care that his Clark Kent disguise wasn't all that great. I was a kid, and kids are willing participants and the best suspenders of disbelief. Scoffing comes much later. Lois Lane too was one of my heroes. In her characteristic suit and matching hat, she was willing to take risks for the big story. Granted, Superman had to save her, but that was the perfect fifties plot line: girl gets saved by hero.