I’ve written about crayons before. Like here.
Crayons fascinate me, particularly the box of sixty-four. What an array of colors! When I was a kid, a big box of crayons made me fit for any task—whether I needed to color a page in a coloring book or make my own illustrations on a blank piece of paper. Each crayon in my hand was a promise that I could make things happen. Back then, I never doubted that I could.
These days, I don’t use crayons as much as I once did. And some days, doubts creep in that I’m fit for the task. The bane of adulthood. Ever been there? On days when I doubt my proficiency, I think I know what to do instead: open my box of crayons and remember the promise.
Andy of City Jackdaw, here’s a promise: you will see a copy of Charles Yallowitz’s book, War of Nytefall: Eradication on your Kindle device! Please comment below to confirm.
Book cover courtesy of Charles Yallowitz. Photos by L. Marie.
Crayons are great, but I was always more of a chalk girl myself. Apart from the creative possibilties I loved the way it tasted! I guess it wasn’t toxic since I’m still here… 😉
I remember eating some unusual things when I was a kid. I’m sure I ate chalk as well. 😀 I also loved it, particularly for use on sidewalks. 😀
You sparked that feeling I always got as a child when I opened that box of Crayolas. Thanks for the lovely memory, L. Marie!
Always glad to assist in bringing up good memories, Jill! Happy Friday! 😀
My favorite was the big box of crayons with the sharpener. That was the best.
This box has a sharpener. 😀 I’m good to go!
I like crayons, too. I like the names of the colors as much as the crayons themselves. I was never allowed to have a box of 64, though. My parents thought that 48 colors were plenty. 🤷♀️
I remember the 48 box! A good one! My first-grade teacher had a contest wherein a box of 64 crayons was the prize. I so wanted that box! But my best friend won it instead.
Bummer. I feel your pain across the years and the miles.
Thanks, Ally!
You bring back recollections of the colorful cylinders I used to roll in my hand, deciding which ones to use in elementary school. Thanks for the memories – and for generously boosting another author. Yay, L. Marie!
I’m grateful to be able to do so, Marian!
Crayons are the gift that keep on giving. 😀
“…remember the promise.”
Whoa, yes that is what a box of Crayolas will evoke…perfect phrase, L.Marie.
I’ll bet one of your favorite Sesame Street segments was/is the one where they show how crayons are made…Mr. Rogers had one episode on that too, only in a different color!
And…it’s the smell, too…only Crayolas smell like real crayons.
Thanks for this, L. Marie.
Yep! I love anything to do with crayons! (I was always more of a Sesame Street watcher than a Mr. Rogers watcher. 😀) They have such a warm, pleasant scent.
Ahhh . . .the joy when opening a brand new box of Crayons, especially a box of 64! I still keep a box or two of crayons around, for the grands, of course, but sometimes – just because.
I’m always fascinated when in a restaurant with paper on the tables and a basket of crayons. It’s almost always the grown-ups who start coloring. 🙂
Thanks for this, L. Marie. A good way to start my windy, March day.
Do you know about SCARCE? It is a phenomenal resource for teachers and others, and a place to take just about anything – from pianos to those little plastic holders on loaves of bread. One of the items they accept is used crayons. They are recycled, reformed and reused, especially by children with special needs.
https://www.scarce.org/super-crayons/
I was going to mention the restaurant crayons, but got distracted, so I’m glad you did so, Penny. And yes, the adults are usually the ones to start coloring. 😀 (Though the colors are limited.)
I hadn’t heard of that organization! What a beautiful thing to do! I always wondered what to do with broken crayon nubs.
I loved those crayon boxes. I used to color sometimes as an adult, but now I can’t. My hands can barely write my signature anymore, let alone color. The arthritis is horrible. So far, typing doesn’t bother my fingers.
Very nice analogy about the promise. Hope you’re doing okay. We’re supposed to have a nice weekend ahead. We were scheduled to take a vacation next week, but I got a head cold and canceled. 🤧🤷♀️
Oh no. I hope you feel better, Lori. I hope you can at least get a good walk in. I’m sorry to hear about the arthritis as well.😞
Thanks, L. This too shall pass. 💁♀️
So true!
Didn’t those old boxes of 64 crayons come with a sharpener? Now I don’t see one.
Lyn, the one I photographed has a sharpener in the back. It’s a new box.
Yay! My faith in Crayola has been restored! I must have a sharpener.
Yes! Agreed! I purchased this box at Target.
Oh the promise of a new box of crayons!
Pick a color! Any color.
So true, Nancy! I love having so many choices! 😀 😁
I think the thing I’ve always loved the big box of crayons is in opening it and seeing all that multitude of colors I knew existed. Yes, those colors I loved were more than just red, yellow, blue, orange, green, and purple. Colors and their shades are endless. Hurray for colors.
Yes! I love the variety! I always wished I could be part of the process of naming colors.
That’s great, thank you very much Linda. And of course Charles too!
Hey, Andy! I’ll have the book sent to you ASAP!
Thank you!
You’re welcome, Andy!
I loved my 64 box of Crayola crayons. The rows were tiered and there was a crayon sharpener in the back of the box. My favorite color was cornflower blue. 🙂
That is a lovely color, Jennie! I think it is one of the best shades of blue! 😀
I think it is, too!
😀
Isn’t it funny that something as simple as a box of crayons can get us on the right track. By the way, one of my fondest memories of crayons was the smell when you first opened the box. Great post, thanks
Thank you, Geri, for stopping by.