Finding Ninee » Sharing our parenting and special needs stories with heart and humor.

When a friend’s pain leads to the best idea of your life

Remember Simon and Garfunkel?  They were awesome, huh?  Bridge Over Troubled Water was one of my favorites, ever. Here’s a little story for you about two dudes in the 70’s – I imagine they were listening to this song while having the following conversation.

“Hey Pal, what’s up?” the guy in the stunning purple bell bottom pants asks his friend. “Just listening to a little Simon and Garfunkel, man. Not feeling groovy.” Obviously the plaid pants guy is super upset about something.

Apparently, his pet cats keep running off. Or dying! He explains this to his pal who then gets like the best dumb idea ever ever! 

After hearing about his friend’s woes about his pet cats that keep running off or dying, the guy in the purple pants invented one of the most popular items in the 70’s. The pet rock.

I had one as a kid and it’s true that it never ran off or died, so there’s that. It wasn’t very snuggly though. I suppose being able to keep if on a shelf was convenient though.

The moral of today’s story: Even really stupid ideas can be good ones. Follow your dreams, friends.

I’m linking up today with my good pal Jen over at My Skewed View (formerly Break the Parenting Mold) for Twisted Mixed Tape Tuesday! Wanna link up with us?  Enter your post below and happy Tuesday!
living room photo credit

DJJENNYtyedye    MCMomee-TuckTuck


by Kristi Campbell

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  • Kerri - All this time I have been wondering where the pet rock came from. Thanks for clearing the mystery. Now I can wonder about more important things, like how the mood ring worksJune 25, 2013 – 9:38 amReplyCancel

  • Sarah Almond - The 70s-responsible for pet rocks and chia pets! Duuuuuuude!June 25, 2013 – 9:41 amReplyCancel

  • Janine Huldie - Seriously, only you would think of this and love it!! Kristi, once again your pictures totally brought all together!! 🙂June 25, 2013 – 9:44 amReplyCancel

  • clark - weird has a new name!*

    “…are you goin ..to nah anh anh
    parsley and sage, Rosemary’s on time”

    * I say this with respect, envy and admiration**
    ** lolJune 25, 2013 – 9:52 amReplyCancel

  • Diane - The pet rock was brilliant! Brilliant! Talk about making something out of nothing. And to think this is where it all started . . .June 25, 2013 – 10:10 amReplyCancel

  • Lori Lavender Luz - I’m digging those plaid pants.June 25, 2013 – 10:54 amReplyCancel

  • Kate - I did not- but I did have a Furby. Now those were weird!June 25, 2013 – 11:42 amReplyCancel

  • nataliedeyoung - Haha, this is so funny! My grandpa used to make pet rocks on the side & sell them to local tourist shops!June 25, 2013 – 12:21 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - Yup, of course I had a pet rock until I FINALLY convinced my parents to get us a dog. And remember the Chia Pet that grew “hair”? I think that is actually still around…June 25, 2013 – 12:25 pmReplyCancel

  • Anita @ Losing Austin - I never had a pet rock and always wanted one! When the pets currently living in my home are no longer living, that’s what my kiddos are getting. No joke.

    To get rich off a rock… my dream.June 25, 2013 – 12:49 pmReplyCancel

  • Joy - Enlighten me please: what is a pet rock??June 25, 2013 – 12:50 pmReplyCancel

  • Kimberly - What happened to the cats???
    My mother in law paints rocks. For real. I have a shit ton in my yard.
    “art”
    You crack me up and gave me the smile I needed today xoJune 25, 2013 – 12:53 pmReplyCancel

  • Jessica - LOL, brilliant! 🙂June 25, 2013 – 2:09 pmReplyCancel

  • MJM - Love it! Very funny…and your artwork is awesome. Girl…you truly are one of the best.June 25, 2013 – 2:11 pmReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. - HA! I totally did not see that coming. I love it when I think you are going to go a certain direction with something, and you completely surprise me. (I wrote this next sentence and then realized how punny it was- You rock, friend! I had to include it, even though it’s dumb. Sorry.) 😀June 25, 2013 – 3:11 pmReplyCancel

  • Jen - And even when you think you suck you’re wrong. You should be doing cartoons for the New Yorker or something. You have no idea how funny you are. Dude, take your advice, YOU DREAM BIG!June 25, 2013 – 3:43 pmReplyCancel

  • Slu - A really great song… Nice choice!!!

    And a really cool “story.” (and pics)

    Have a great week, SluJune 25, 2013 – 6:28 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Kerri,
    Holy crap. How DOES the mood ring work???
    —
    Sarah,
    Chia pets! Ha!
    —
    Janine,
    Thanks so much!
    —
    Clark,
    Fine. I’m weird. But I made you go “nah ahn ahn” so I’ve got THAT going for me.
    —
    Dianne,
    The pet rock truly was brilliant! Now if we can just think of the 2013 equivalent!
    —June 25, 2013 – 7:19 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Lori,
    I figured you would be. I can send you a pair if you’d like.
    —
    Kate,
    Now I want a Furby!
    —
    Natalie,
    HAHA that’s SO awesome! I love it! Your grandpa sounds cool!
    —
    Emily,
    I totally remember the Chia Pet but never had one. And yay for your parents replacing a silly cold rock with an awesome DOG!
    —
    Anita,
    Yes. To get rich off a rock. That would be wonderful.
    —June 25, 2013 – 7:22 pmReplyCancel

  • Jennifer - My step father used to play this song on the piano and sing-this really takes me back. Funny pics!June 25, 2013 – 7:23 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Joy,
    So in the 70’s this guy joked with his friends about making a rock a pet after they were complaining about their pets. He ended up doing it and making a ton of money (I think he sold millions actually). He put them in a box and they came with an official guide on how to care for them. It was a small rock with eyes and hair glued on. You can learn more if you want to here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_rock
    🙂June 25, 2013 – 7:23 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Kimberly,
    I’m dying to see the painted rocks in your yard. Seriously. And the cats ran off because they got tired of plaid pants dude trying to get them high.
    —
    Jessica,
    🙂
    —
    MJ,
    You. Dude. You’re one of the best.
    —
    Stephanie,
    I LOVE that you included that I rock. haha! Glad you weren’t expecting the ending. Lots of build-up I know. (er or not) Thanks, friend!
    —
    Jen,
    Aw. I adore you. Thank you!! Huge thank you!!
    —
    Slu,
    Thanks for stopping by and linking up with us!!
    —
    Jennifer,
    Oh that’s awesome! Thanks!
    —June 25, 2013 – 7:27 pmReplyCancel

  • Katia - Agree with Rachel, the originalest! 😀June 25, 2013 – 8:04 pmReplyCancel

  • Jak - Love the comic Kristi!

    The pet rock is one of those creations that keeps my hope alive that someday I too can bring greatness and success into my life!

    Jak at The Cryton Chronicles & Dreams in the Shade of InkJune 25, 2013 – 9:51 pmReplyCancel

  • Sylvia - Hi I just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogging award! I know some bloggers don’t like these awards so I’ll understand if you don’t want it!
    http://www.faithfulmomof9.com/super-sweet-blogging-award/

    PS. I remember Pet rocks!June 25, 2013 – 10:14 pmReplyCancel

  • Melissa@Home on Deranged - Never knew that story. It was two guys, wasn’t it? Because if it was two chicks, one would have bought ice cream and they just would’ve sat around crying over the cats. If it was a guy and a girl, well, it probably would’ve ended with the rock. 🙂June 25, 2013 – 11:35 pmReplyCancel

  • Shay - I loved the way the cute pictures led to such a profound message at the end: Follow your dreams. I never get sick of hearing that, because sometimes dreams seem SO hard to achieve, but we simply can’t stop trying. Thanks for this, Kristi!June 26, 2013 – 12:14 amReplyCancel

  • Kate Hall - I always love your pictures. I need to invent a pet rock while listening to S&G. I almost had Kodachrome by PS on my list. He was next in the line up, but got the cut. 🙂June 26, 2013 – 1:18 amReplyCancel

  • Deb @ Urban Moo Cow - Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! The plaid bell bottoms!

    So, this is a false story, right? It’s not like you found out the story of the origin of the pet rock, did you?

    I did not have one, actually. We were a strictly pet-free family, even rocks. After I got a dog when I was 32, I was so mad at my parents for denying me the joy my whole life. 😉June 26, 2013 – 8:13 pmReplyCancel

  • Ilene - I never had a pet rock and I felt totally deprived because of this! I don’t know the story behind the inventor of the pet rock but whatever it is, this should be the real history. Plus, your pictures are boss.February 24, 2014 – 9:45 pmReplyCancel

  • Darcy Perdu (So Then Stories) - YES!! We had a whole FAMILY of pet rocks! So funny! Thanks for bringing back great memory! AND for explaining how the idea came about in the first place!! :o)February 25, 2014 – 10:46 amReplyCancel

  • anyhu - 333333333333333333333333333333333333333October 30, 2014 – 8:48 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya - I laughed out loud! That’s really the story behind the pet rock or you made it up? Forgive me for not knowing, but that’s hilarious either way. My brother had a pet rock.

    As for S&G the first song that came to mind was the one that’s played so much in The Graduate it’s funny. “Hello darkness my old friend….”November 30, 2018 – 6:27 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - LOL I totally made it up. I have no idea (!) how the idea for pet rock came about but I imagine it was something like this, right? 🙂 Glad it made you laugh. OMG don’t even get me started on Sounds of Silence (Hello Darkness My Old Friend) song. We sang it at summer camp before I knew it was a real song and I’ll probably love it forever. A new band did it and now Tucker knows the two versions.. Gah. also LOL because life is weird.December 1, 2018 – 10:14 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - Makes me wonder how many stupid ideas I have had that could have led to something big.

    Perusing your comments also reminded me of people I used to know in the blogosphere! I’m glad I still know you.November 30, 2018 – 2:52 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - OMG same!!! I hadn’t read this when I was trying to comment on your old one and saw Brittnei and it all makes me miss the way it used to be a little bit. Or a lot of bit.December 1, 2018 – 10:15 pmReplyCancel

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