It’s not easy being green — but it’s very easy being a Kermit the Frog fan, especially this week as the new “Muppets” movie hits theaters. With that in mind, I thought it was the perfect time to celebrate the world’s most lovable amphibian by showing off a few of my favorite Kermit finds — and sharing why this little green guy holds such a special place in my heart.
Like many of you, I grew up in the golden age of “The Muppet Show” and “Sesame Street” — the 1970s and ’80s, when television was a little quirkier, a little fuzzier, and a whole lot more musical. Kermit wasn’t just a puppet. He was a philosopher. A dreamer. The gentle soul trying to hold everything together while Gonzo launched himself from cannons and Miss Piggy karate-chopped her way through love and drama.
But there’s another reason I adore Kermit — and it’s personal. Kermit is a fellow Mississippian. Yep, our favorite frog is officially recognized as being from the Magnolia State, thanks to his creator, the late Jim Henson, who spent his early years in Leland, Mississippi.
According to local lore, Kermit even swam his first tadpole laps in Deer Creek, which winds through the town. That’s right — Mississippi’s waters may have birthed the most iconic banjo-playing frog in history.
A few years ago, Kermit returned to his Southern roots when he served as Grand Marshal of Jackson’s St. Paddy’s Day parade. Naturally, I celebrated the occasion in style, wearing a handcrafted Kermit T-shirt and a pair of handmade Kermit earrings I discovered on Etsy. (Because if you can’t wear a handcrafted Kermit shirt to a parade in his honor, when can you?)
I’ve continued to collect Kermit treasures ever since. Most recently, I found a vintage Kermit the Frog telephone at a consignment shop in Ridgeland — and yes, I bought it immediately.
Etsy is still one of the best places to discover unique and vintage Kermit items. This morning, I even spotted a Kermit ring and an appliqué that blends two of Mississippi’s most iconic personalities—Elvis Presley and Kermit the Frog. Now that’s a cultural crossover worth stitching onto something.
Whether he’s conducting the Muppet orchestra, interviewing celebrities, or reminding us that “someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection,” Kermit is more than a puppet. He’s a symbol of kindness, hope, and heart — and I’m proud to share a home state with him.
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