What does a Clint Eastwood movie, 1980’s Christian Worship Music and Kraft Cheese Singles have in common? Read on, my friend.

Have you ever re-discovered something that, in a former lifetime, gave you great joy and then realized that it brings you that joy all over again? Maybe in new and better way, even. Something in childhood that you ate or did or read, that, whether for pure nostalgic reasons or objective joy reasons, you find floats your boat anew?  (By the way, nostalgia and pure, unadulterated joy are difficult to distinguish and unmerge at times. I like to call this phenomenon the N {Nostalgia} factor.)   A great many of us might identify with one of the most obvious examples of this type of “seeing life through nostalgia colored glasses.”  It is the “It’s A Small World” ride at Disneyland or Disneyworld. I’m really not even sure you could enjoy that ride on an acid trip. I remember being awed by it when I was 8 years old, but I also remember seeing it again as a 38 year old and thinking.. what???  But I’ve heard that every time they talk about getting rid of it or even updating it people go cray cray and protest.  I guess because I saw it just the one time as a kid, the N factor didn’t have a chance to take root. The N factor did take root and grow into a towering tree for my husband with a certain “spy thriller.” He simply LOVES the Clint Eastwood movie, “Where Eagles Dare.”  However, when I watched it for the first time, expecting something akin to “North by Northwest” or “Clear and Present Danger,” I was like, huh? Watching that thing with his brothers at some squishy time in his brain’s family memory box, made that thing seem Oscar worthy to him. To be fair, when it comes to lack of objectivity, I can listen to some seriously old school, cheesy, “Hosanna Music” Christian worship music album that is super tinny, has not withstood the test of time and you wouldn’t be surprised if the performers where wearing knickerbockers with suspenders and a ribbon bow around the neck , and yet, still get all the feels.  I am not one to pass judgment, let’s just say.

Speaking of cheesy, this brings me to an ‘N’ factor culinary item that has stood the test of time, for me, at least. 

Kraft Cheese Singles ( Insert an angel chorus and spotlight)

To truly appreciate my love for this you must understand that I lived in a fun-food deficient household. I don’t think I even knew what a Twinkie was until 4th grade. I longed, nay, yearned, for the chance to have a fruit roll up in my lunch box. But nooo-oh. I got to have dried apricots and banana chips from the food co-op. This made it very easy for my Granny to become my favorite person. Not only were treats and sweets a permanent fixture of the landscape of Granny’s kitchen, but savory processed foods were in abundance, as well. I have vivid memories of opening the refrigerator and seeing a stack of orangish-yellow plastic wrapped slices of rubbery cheese gold and my heart shouting – Eureka! Food so special it had it’s own gift wrapping! Other than at Granny’s house, I don’t recall ever eating Kraft Cheese Singles. That is until………

About 6 months ago, I grabbed a pack of these beauts when I was at the grocery store and choose to pair them with organic round snacking crackers. (The organic totally cancels out the processed food, right?) This duo has become my secret snacking pleasure. I fold the cheese slices in half and then into fourths and grab four crackers. Num, num.

What does it for you? Are there movies, music, food or experiences that you cherish, that because of the N factor, other’s can’t see their value?

And make sure you own it. Don’t be ashamed of your N factor box of treasures.  Just try not to be too disappointed when others can’t quite grasp the same level of enthusiasm you have about Kraft Cheese singles or songs by Don Moen.