The table was piled high with pink and red construction paper. Silky ribbons of all lengths and doilies of every size and shape. In the middle was a big jug of Elmer’s glue, red glitter, googly eyes, and several paintbrushes.
“Oh, the possibilities, what should I make?” I was so excited to create the fanciest card in the class. Things changed, and my plan was squashed by Mrs. Lamont, the art teacher. She quickly tacked the project on the board, turned, and told the class, “Let’s make this card! Start by gathering 1 of each item on the table.” She walked across the room and added, “You’ll have to share the paintbrushes and glue with your neighbor. Try to be halfway decent to each other. Now, begin.”
“What a drag!” I thought. This object that we’re supposed to make is horrible. Who wants to give their parents a heart with googly eyes and chain-link legs?
I quickly grabbed everything I needed. Returned to my desk and began working. My neighbor Jenny was humming some song from The Lion King. I arranged everything on my desktop and started working without the glue. If I place everything just so, then glue it down, I could finish this thing quick. Jenny’s heart was perfect. She gingerly brushed the glue onto each piece and placed the eyes just so. Then she stood back and looked at it, her head cocked to one side as if it needed something else.
“You have 5 minutes to finish your card,” warned Ms. Lamont. “When you’re done, hang your pieces on the wall so everyone can see. And don’t forget to put your name on it.”
I turned to Jenny and asked for the glue.
“Sure,” she then handed me a brush with a huge blob of glue, which was barely hanging on to the tip. I brushed the whole mess on the white doily and added the eyes and the legs. Scribbled my name on the paper and ran it up to the room.
“DONE!!!” I thought, “another stupid art project in the can.”
“Dear, where’s your heart?” Asked Mrs. Lamont
I looked at it and exclaimed, “Shoot! I left my heart on my desk!”
Just then, one of the eyes slid off the paper and landed on my shoe.
FOOD.FITNESS.FUN 