One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Does this sound familiar? I am the egg man, they are the egg men, I am the Walrus. The lyrics are as if The Beatles flew over the cuckoo’s nest…

Across the universe sounds and lyrics are familiar to The Beatles. I am the Walrus song is no exception. It includes everything from a Cornflake big enough to sit on to Edgar Allan Poe. It was banned from BBC because of the scandalous lyrics “knickers down.” Oh the audacity! In today’s music every word, but underpants is used. 

In an interview John Lennon sort of explained how the song came about. Surrounding sounds, The Walrus and the Carpenter poem, a nursery rhyme and two measly acid trips were Lennon’s inspiration.

I have always thought the lyrics were cuckoo cachoo until this very moment when my research indicates it is goo goo g’joob. Cuckoo cachoo makes much more sense due to the gist of the song, but The Beatles making sense, simply does not make sense.  

In Royal Highn(ass), I made a mistake not once, but twice. Today a resident called me names not once, but twice.

In my lifetime there have been multiple instances where I became a little overly excited. I cried the first time I saw the Blue Jays play at the Roger’s Centre. Almost drove my car off the road when I saw the set of Heartland and I was more excited to go to Build-a-Bear with my residents than the average 5 year old. 

In most cases, people with dementia experience the circle of life (I dare you to successfully sing the opening lyrics to that song). Their behaviours are often similar to that of a toddler such as calling out for their Mom, weeping and reverting back to doll and stuffed animal play. Therefore, Build-a-Bear seemed like an appropriate outing.  

Who doesn’t want to pick out a bear, stuff it and place a tiny heart in it?

Anyone who sees the limp bear prior to the stuffing. It looks like a bear that got run over. How traumatic for a child. 

We accompanied a small group to the workshop and I was practically skipping across the mall. Well in reality I was cautiously pushing a wheelchair while coaxing a resident to keep on comin’. 

There was one individual who’s diagnosis has impacted her ability to express herself. Generally she is unable to create words. 

She needed a little encouragement at the workshop as she was a little hesitant with the idea. 

In between her eye rolls and sighs she clearly declared, “you are cuckoo!”

She accentuated the word cuckoo followed by laughter; both of our laughter. 

Once on the bus, she glanced over to me with dancing eyes and once again said, “cuckoo!” 

I would rather be classified as the one who flew over the cuckoo’s nest than a walrus.

A new reader? Check out older posts to see years of mishaps and how my writing has (hopefully) improved.