In 1964, there was an early morning puppet show on NBC, unlike anything else on television. It was a children's sci-fi program called Fireball XL5. The main characters were in no particular order, Dr. Matt Matic, Astronaut/ pilot Steve Zodiac, and the beautiful co-pilot Venus.
It was a really silly show, but as an 8 year old, I was hooked! I mean, I was obsessed!
And then, like it did every year, the Sears catalog, or as us kids called it, the "wish book" came in the mail. Each of my brothers took turns paging through that magical tome, dreaming of heavenly delights. Mine, was the Deluxe Fireball XL5 set. Only $12.95; a fortune in 1960's dollars.
My mom looked doubtful as I showed her my heart's desire again, and again. I dropped more hints than a game of "Clue". I think, I knew at that point who Santa really was. I was resigned to the fact, that I probably wouldn't receive it. (Sigh!)
And then, just before Christmas; I was sitting in my room reading comic books, when I heard a large crash.... I got up to investigate, especially because I heard my mom exclaim several colorful metaphors! Entering the next bedroom, there was mom, picking up spacemen, and rockets and everything else contained in the XL5 box, now inadvertently opened, its contents lying on the floor!
My mouth did the same. Mom looked at me, and said, "You can't say a peep about this until Christmas, or I'm taking it back!" Well, with a warning like that, I was silent as a rock! I swore I thought I'd take it to the grave. Well, 52 years ain't bad!
Here's what that toy in the box looked like!
Thanks mom and dad. You always made our Christmas' magical!
