Mid-month Mention: Beloved Author Kate DiCamillo's Journey

Last month, I happened upon this article celebrating Kate DiCamillo's 20th anniversary of her book, The Tale of Despereaux. What joy! What happy memories I have of listening to Ms. McKee enthrall her 3rd grade class with her narration of this book! We were all transfixed, kids and teachers alike. This tender story of a hero-mouse tapped our deepest longings and healed our hidden wounds. I remember thinking, "Now, THIS is an outstanding writer!" Of course, this was just the beginning of my love affair with DiCamillo books. Then came Because of Winn-Dixie (one we listened to on our drive to and from CBLI family camp one year), and the Mercy Watson books (inciting my younger sons to parrot often, "toast with a great deal of butter"), and when they were a bit older, The Tiger Rising. I adored The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, another one I listened to while on a car trip, but I don't believe the boys were with me.

As I watched the accompanying video (a video of Jenna Bush interviewing Kate and encouraging children to read during the summer), I was blown away by a truth I didn't know. Kate asked students to guess how many rejection letters she received. I'm with them, my calculations would be between 5 and 50, but that is way out of the true range. 473! Unbelievable. Further admonishment to never give up! This is a fantastic writer, who accumulated more rejection letters than I can even fathom. I have not been as persistent! Indeed, for a spell, I have given up writing (apart from journaling and blogging) altogether. It saddens me to think of all the world would have lost, if Kate DiCamillo had responded the way I respond. Congratulations Despereaux on thrilling young readers for two decades! I'd give anything to travel back in time and relive those days in Ms. McKee's classroom watching children catch a passion for books and story.

Book Review: These Precious Days

I'm familiar with Ann Patchett's name. I even purchased a copy of her book, Bel Canto, after reading about it on another book review blog. However, it has remained unopened in my basement for years. It is always interesting how a variety of connections bring you to a particular book. Here, my renewed interest in reading Ann Patchett's work developed through an interview with Kate Di Camillo (a favorite children's author) on a podcast about book recommendations. I finally read one of her books, The Dutch House, two years ago.

I love reading personal essays. Something about getting inside another person's brain and life experiences is very appealing. Plus, often, you glean wisdom about writing. These Precious Days presents a variety of topics, but all of them home in on the gifts of relationship, writing, and reading. She writes about relationships with her three different fathers. I laughed out loud as she described her relationship with her best friend, Tavia. She describes Tavia as a gorgeous and popular girl who draws people like moths to a flame. This was perhaps my favorite passage:

"Boys trailed her like a tail on a kite, discomfited by desire.... As for me, well, I wasn't that girl. Not only did I pale beside her (of course I did, everyone did), but I lacked her buoyancy and ease as well. I was a serious kid. No boys were standing outside my window. 'You were too busy making art,' she tells me, as if boys were kept away by the force field of my poetry, my ceramics."

Too funny! I laugh because I relate! My other favorite essay explains the writing wisdom gleaned from Snoopy. Yes, Snoopy! It is a beautiful piece any writer will enjoy. In it, she shares a hilarious snippet where Snoopy receives an invitation to come out and play. In true rejection letter format, he gives his apologies and ends with, "We hope you will be successful elsewhere." Ha!

She also shares homage essays to Eudora Welty and Kate Di Camillo. Since I love Kate Di Camillo's work (sad to say, not as familiar with Welty), I now intend to remedy the oversight of missing her book called The Magician's Elephant. This is the one Patchett declares her favorite. She writes about coming to provide an endorsement for Tom Hanks' short story collection and then through him, meeting his personal assistant, Sooki. She writes about securing Hanks as the narrator of the audio version of The Dutch House (the way I consumed the book).

The title of this book comes from her interactions with Sooki. A very private woman, Sooki shares a simple statement of her battle with cancer. Patchett, whose husband is a doctor, secures her a spot in local clinical trials and invites her to stay in their home. Ah, the beauty of this example of giving leading to far greater receiving. As is always true, when you open your heart to another, your own heart expands.

Content caution: 📒 - the book explains her father's unheeded suggestions to remove sexual content from her books and also shares an experience with drugs, intended to ease some of Sooki's pain.

Book Review: The Tale of Despereaux

Kate DiCamillo is one of my favorite children's authors. Her books hold timeless truth and suck the imagination into alternate realities with compelling characters and plots. I will never forget the experience of listening to Ms. Sharon McKee read this book aloud to her third-grade class in DeKalb all those years ago. The eagerness of the students for each read-aloud session was palpable. That is the sign of a truly outstanding book (and also of a truly great narrator, Ms. McKee).

The Tale of Despereaux tells of a small mouse, an abused servant girl, some rats, and a princess. It communicates the light available for our dark world through story. It emphasizes the tremendous power of love. In a kingdom saddened by the death of a queen, Despereaux is born to fulfill a purpose he cannot imagine. Even though all the mice are against him, love drives him to right a wrong. Every child needs to hear this story as a reminder you can overcome darkness with light, and hatred with love. 

Of course, in seeking an accompanying photo from Amazon, I discovered many negative reviews (in most, the readers didn't finish the story). They argue the tale is "incredibly dark," and "promotes evil and torture," "makes light of child abuse and death." I would argue that children are going to encounter darkness in this world where sin is rampant. Yes, they might even encounter death (indeed, one boy in that class mentioned above had already lost his 2-year-old sister). Some may know what it is like to be abused or to be dismissed because they do not fit the mold. If you stop there, of course it is incredibly depressing and demoralizing. But redemption shines throughout the tale. We live in a dark world, yet the light can penetrate the darkness if you bother to light a candle. (Sin exists to reveal our need of a Savior.) Kate DiCamillo's message is clear. Story holds healing power, but only if you see it through to the end. One abandoning reader remarked, "at what cost for the journey?" Journeys that cost are often the most worthwhile. If you've never read this book, please do so now and let me know if, after fully reading it, you regret that decision.

Book Review: Beverly, Right Here

Readers first met Beverly Tapinski in Kate DiCamillo's book, Rayme Nightingale. In Beverly, Right Here, we watch the fourteen-year-old run away from home to find a place for herself in the world. I struggled with the title. Plus, it features a cast of reprehensible characters: an absent father, a disinterested mother, a nosy neighbor, a vile bully, a shady boss, and a pushy evangelist (offering tracts and preying on innocent children with graphic images of snakes and devils). I worry the main character's actions might encourage young readers to have idealized views of running away, trusting strangers, stealing, and underage driving.

When Beverly's friend Louisiana moves away and her dog dies, Beverly is bereft. She hops a ride to another town, finds a job, and moves in with a friendly stranger in a trailer park. Desperation and genuine soul-ache ooze from the pages. The cover promises it will "break your heart and put it back together again." Sadly, I felt I only managed the broken heart. I simply wanted more redemption from the story. Despite plenty of random acts of kindness (tokens for the horse ride, tickets entered to win the world's largest turkey, offers to build a sandcastle, etc.), the disconnectedness of people pervaded. The writing is easily digested, the emotions tapped, but the resolution didn't satisfy sufficiently. I still think Kate DiCamillo spins gold, but this wasn't my favorite book.

Book Review: Louisiana's Way Home

Louisiana's Way Home (second stand-alone novel in Kate DiCamillo's recent trio), tells a story of loss, identity, and healing. Again, I didn't feel as pulled in by this tale as earlier DiCamillo books, but it was still a worthwhile investment of time. I imagine there are many children who will benefit from reading this tale (especially adopted individuals or ones who have lost family).

Louisiana Elefante and her granny take off in the middle of the night because Granny says "the day of reckoning has arrived." All Louisiana wants to do is get back to her friends, Raymie and Beverly, in Florida, but Granny is driving (for the moment) and Louisiana is just a kid at the mercy of her elders. When they arrive in Georgia, Granny can drive no more because she is reeling in pain from her rotten teeth. Louisiana takes the wheel and delivers her safely to a dentist who pulls all Granny's teeth. While laid low, Granny pawns Louisiana out to "sing for their supper." It is only after Granny disappears that Louisiana realizes her entire existence has been founded on a lie.

The themes are excellent. I loved Louisiana's quest to discover who she really is and appreciated the minister's message about forgiveness and her power to determine who she wants to be in this world. What truth in the image of a pastor providing the "magic" of "healing words" and what wisdom in accepting love where it is offered! Our hearts lead us to the home where we belong. Love is not determined by birth, but rather by sacrifice and commitment.

Still, I struggled with a few minor things. Unlike the other two books in the trio, my library shelved this one in the children's section. I worried about children following some examples in the tale: children driving illegally, stealing from vending machines, and skipping school, all without consequence. The school issue is at least addressed by the mother, who admonishes her son that he is shutting doors by skipping and we must always try to keep open all our doors and opportunities. Plus, many of the characters were despicable: the motel owner, the organist - even Granny's actions left me disgruntled.

Thankfully, as in a world full of both bad and good people, the story is peppered with kind-hearted, generous individuals as well: the walrus-like minister who listens well, the Grandpap who offers his ice-cream, the cake-baking mother who takes Louisiana under her wing. Louisiana's story holds value and will encourage children in their quest to determine who they wish to be. Children who wrestle with identity issues or struggle with feelings of being cursed will come away from this tale inspired and uplifted. Once again, Kate DiCamillo has provided valuable healing words.

Book Review: Raymie Nightingale

Kate DiCamillo is one of my favorite authors for children and tweens. I adored listening to the third grade teacher I worked with enthusiastically share The Tale of Despereaux. I loved reading Because of Winn-Dixie to my youngest. We enjoyed Edward Tulane's journey (especially since it had a character named Bryce) and The Tiger Rising. My younger boys often requested "toast with a great deal of butter," in the words of Mercy Watson (DiCamillo's younger fare).

Thus, I have been holding off, with great anticipation, a chance to begin her new trio of books. I found Raymie Nightingale at Goodwill during a half-price sale. Then, when the pandemic hinted at days of isolation, I snatched up library copies of Louisiana's Way Home and Beverly, Right Here (wiping my card and the books down with a sanitizing wipe). I know it must be so hard to be an author with a widespread following. The pressure to perform must be immense. While I enjoyed this simple tale, the characters didn't entice like Despereaux, Winn-Dixie, or Edward Tulane.

Ten-year-old Raymie Clarke has a problem. Her father ran away with a dental hygienist. Now Raymie has a plan. She will compete in a beauty contest, get her picture in the paper, and win her father back. Thus, the book opens at a baton-twirling lesson where we meet Raymie and two other contestants, Louisiana Elefante and Beverly Tapinski. Each is a character in her own right; thus, each gets a book of her own.

I appreciated the hard life issues the book tackles: death, infidelity, abandonment. DiCamillo presents each with tender care and encouragement. I appreciated the inter-generational relationships between Raymie and Mrs. Borkowski, Louisiana and her grandmother, and the three girls and the residents at the Golden Glen nursing home. My favorite moment - when the tough Beverly holds Alice Nebbley's hand. Still, I never rose to a level of affection to match her earlier books. We shall see how I feel about Louisiana's story next.

Top Ten Anticipated Reads of Fall 2018

With a pile of books already accumulated, I doubt I'll get to these upcoming releases immediately, but these are the top ten books I'm eagerly anticipating, in order of release:

Deb Caletti's A Heart in a Body in the World - 9/18/18 (technically not a fall 2018 release, but I surely won't get it until then) - This one strikes me as a YA version of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Deb Caletti capably opens up the heart of her characters. In this book, Annabelle runs 2,700 miles, from Seattle to Washington, D.C., attempting to outrun a tragedy from the past year. While walking is more my speed, I relished another YA running book by Wendelin Van Draanen, The Running Dream, so I'm open to try another YA book about a runner.

Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo - 10/2/18 - When Louisiana Elefante's grandmother wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her they must flee, she is not surprised. Her grandmother is given to wild whims. But, this might lead to a whole pack of good-byes. I think I'll have to read her previous book, Rayme Nightingale, first because Louisiana is introduced in that tale.

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton - 10/9/18 - Once again, in Kate Morton's signature style, a novel told by multiple voices across time. In 1862, a group of young artists seclude themselves in a manor house to seek inspiration and creativity, but their time ends with one missing and another dead. Over a hundred and fifty years later, an archivist finds a satchel containing clues. This fills me with intrigue.

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief - 10/9/18 - When their father mysteriously disappears, the five Dunbar brothers must make their own way in the world. The #1 Amazon choice in YA multigenerational family fiction. I trust the author of The Book Thief to weave another wonderful story.

The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom - 10/9/18 - This book is the sequel to The Five People You Meet in Heaven. It has already garnered an average of 4.8 stars from reviewers on Amazon. This story focuses on the heavenly reunion between amusement park mechanic, Eddie, and Annie, the little girl whose life he saved. It promises to proclaim that every life matters and every ending is a beginning.

Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks - 10/16/18 - This story reveals how a chance encounter can entwine two disparate individuals, defying decades, continents, and fate. Filled with regret, hope, and tenacious dreams, it is another story woven by this romantic master storyteller. Makes me want to revisit his non-fiction travel book, Three Weeks With My Brother.





House of Gold by Natasha Solomons - 10/23/18 - I discovered the gifted Natasha Solomons last year when I read both The House at Tyneford and The Song of Hartgrove Hall. This book, once again, promises a saga about war and Jews, wealth and family separations. I love the lyrical writing of Solomons and expect this to be another beautifully-told tale.

The Love Letter by Lucinda Riley - 11/1/18 - This is the only book I'm anticipating by an author I've never encountered. The title hooked me, as it promises a story centered on a letter. Plus, it is supposed to be about an aging actor who, at his death, leaves behind a letter with a shocking secret. Multiple characters want to get their hands on this missive. Since this is a re-release under a new title, I'm assuming it's previous standing as a bestseller will prove true.

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty - 11/6/18 - Nine strangers descend upon a remote health resort for ten challenging days. Each is seeking something different and each has a story to share. As their lives intertwine and their stories unfold, the Amazon blurb promises the reader a page-turner "that will make you laugh and gasp." Amazon offers a chapter sampler here, but most reviewers felt cheated by this free little teaser.




The Colors of All Cattle by Alexander McCall Smith - 11/6/18 - This 19th installment of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series makes me want to rekindle my interest and catch up. I'm several books behind, so it will take a good while before I'm ready for this one. The Colors of All Cattle promises a story where Mma Ramotswe reluctantly runs for a seat on the city council. I have given up hope that my library will continue to purchase the audio versions of this series, so I must give in and read the books in paper form (oh how I love to hear the character names pronounced with an accurate accent and the delightful voice of narrator Lisette Lecat).

What books are you anticipating?

Book Review: Little House in the Big Woods

After reading a biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder recently, I decided to revisit the Little House on the Prairie books. My library has the set in audio form. What better way to pass the time while walking on my treadmill? Although, I think I do miss reading the books in book form because I remember the beautiful illustrations. This was easily remedied. I headed downstairs (for some reason I do not keep them with the other children's books on my bookshelves upstairs - do I doubt my boys would be interested in the story of a girl on the prairie?) and pulled out the first volume, Little House in the Big Woods. The familiar illustrations by Garth Williams brought a smile to my face. I also was tickled by the inscription on the inside cover in my own childish hand declaring "Wendy Gorton finished this book on November 23rd, 1972." I was seven. The book shows how dearly loved it was - the back cover was torn and mended twice. Oh, how I wish I had brought these books out when my younger boys were six and eight. That would have been the perfect time, I think.

The narrator also made me grin as I recognized the voice from the audio version of Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie (I well remember listening with Bryce to that tender tale on our drive to camp one summer). Cherry Jones does an excellent job of voicing the child-like wonder of Laura as she experiences life in the big woods with winter, snow, Christmas, bears, spring, summer, and harvest. Children will listen attentively to these simple tales of how straw hats were made, meat was preserved, and dangers were averted. I had forgotten the little story about Laura's cousin "crying wolf" and then seriously attempting to call his and Laura's Pa when he stepped on a yellow jacket nest. Although I have a few other audio books in the line-up (especially excited to find the most recent set of Jeffrey Archer short stories on the recent acquisitions shelf at my library), I will probably continue listening to this series this year.

(For a sample of the audio version with the voice of Cherry Jones, follow the book link above and click on the audible sample button. She is an excellent Recorded Books narrator.)

Book Review: See You in the Cosmos - Highly Recommend

What a magical, touching book! I think Allie Condie's endorsement of See You in the Cosmos sums up my sentiments the best: "Alex Petroski has a big mind, big dreams, and a big heart. His story is full of the real kind of magic - friends well-met, surprising journeys, and heartbreak and hope. This is a beautiful book." I concur enthusiastically! I was swept away so thoroughly that I lost track of time and forgot to pick my son up from football practice. My heart was tugged and I pondered anew the gift of relationships.

Eleven-year-old Alex Petroski has one goal on his mind. He wants to communicate with whatever other life forms are out there. He intends to accomplish this feat by launching a golden i-pod into space on a rocket. The i-pod contains 52 separate recordings filled with the sounds he has collected to represent life on earth and the accompanying narrations of his own daily life. Alex even has the perfect occasion in mind - a rocket-launching festival, where he can meet his on-line friends from Rocketforum.org. He's prepared enough meals to care for his widowed, emotionally-troubled mother in his absence and has purchased a train ticket, but the train officials insist he must be accompanied by a grown-up in order to travel. Thankfully, an older boy steps in and claims to be his brother (Alex does have an older brother, but he lives in Los Angeles and works as a sports agent). Once Alex and his dog are safely on the train bound for the festival, he meets other rocket enthusiasts and his true journey really begins, a journey of self-discovery, full of new information, obstacles, and long-held secrets. Alex must reach deep within to find the courage to face the answers to his questions about his role in his family and his place in the universe.

I can just imagine the intensely captivated response youngsters would give to this book as a classroom read-aloud. I remember the enthusiasm of the third graders in Ms. McKee's classroom, whenever she would announce that it was time for more of Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux. Filled with such intense emotional truth, readers could not help but be similarly enthralled with See You in the Cosmos. Alex's innocence and curiosity shine through as he navigates a difficult world and attempts to leave his mark.

Author Jack Cheng has struck gold with his first book for young readers. It was interesting to note, in his acknowledgments, that he started out his journey to publication by seeking funds for his first novel through Kickstarter (for more on his journey to publication, you can go here to listen to a number of podcasts describing the process). I, too, am grateful for the individuals who backed this talented young writer and the agent who discovered his Kickstarter campaign. The world needs more books like this, books that not only affirm life, but - like a rocket - sweep you up and gently drop you down in wonder at the privilege of human existence and the power of human love.

Book Review: The Secret Life of Bees - Highly Recommend

Although I've only ever attempted her fiction, I'm beginning to think that I would appreciate anything written by Sue Monk Kidd. Like with The Invention of Wings, a top read of 2016, I listened to The Secret Life of Bees in audio form. The beauty of her word choice is stunning. She is capable of crafting gorgeous, intensely emotional images. Thankfully, I own a copy of the book and did manage to select one passage that struck me as incredibly evocative. Here is an example of her word wizardry, as the main character first comes across a statue of the black Mary:

"She was a mix of mighty and humble all in one. I didn't know what to think, but what I felt was magnetic and so big it ached like the moon had entered my chest and filled it up. The only thing I could compare it to was the feeling I got one time when I walked back from the peach stand and saw the sun spreading across the late afternoon, setting the top of the orchard on fire while darkness collected underneath. Silence had hovered over my head, beauty multiplying in the air, the trees so transparent I felt I could see through to something pure inside them. My chest had ached then, too, this very same way.... Standing there, I loved myself and I hated myself. That's what the black Mary did to me, made me feel my glory and my shame at the same time."

The Secret Life of Bees spins a gorgeous tale of Lily, a young girl trapped in a cruel life with her fierce, unloving father and a strong, determined black nanny named Rosaleen. When Rosaleen hits a spot of trouble for defiance against three white racist men, she is arrested and beaten in jail. Lily visits her in the hospital and smuggles her out. The two run away to a small town in South Carolina where Lily believes her deceased mother once had connections. There they encounter three black bee-keeping sisters, each with a unique story to tell. As Lily and Rosaleen settle in, Lily must decide how much of the truth to share and how much of the truth to seek.

I loved learning about bees and their hives. I loved how bee-keeping paralleled so many of the themes the book explored. The image of the black Mary also stood for so much and, as relics will do, inspired noble feelings and introspection. I came to love the sisters, Lily, and her troubled mother. Their stories were touching and real and full of great meaning and purpose.

Once again, I was thrilled to find a section at the back of the book where the author answers questions about her writing process. She talks about inducing "madness" by sitting on the dock overlooking her creek and thinking about the novel. (This is exactly what my brain requires before I sit down to write. When I fail to walk and ruminate on a novel, the writing can be like pulling teeth. When I have the time and opportunity to absorb the world around me while moving and thinking, the writing tends to flow more easily.)

When asked if she knew the ending of her novel when she started, I was excited to learn that she had no idea about the ending or even the middle (take that all you writing instructors who claim you have to know the ending before you begin). The farthest her creative juices flowed was into the scene of the two fleeing their sorry, trapped lives. She also said that at one point she was stuck. She worried about the ending until a character from the story came to her in a dream and complained about her initial idea for the ending. This (along with a recent Facebook post from Kate DiCamillo saying "it's okay for the story to be a big mess. Maybe it is even necessary for it to be a big mess. Keep going. Don't give up. The story will find its way.") was very freeing to me in my current writing struggles. I'm so thankful for the really great writers (like Kidd and DiCamillo) who are willing to share about their process and encourage fledgling writers like myself.

If you are seeking a masterpiece to read this year, look no further than the novels of Sue Monk Kidd and definitely give this specific book a chance (even if you might be tired of books about racial tension in the South in the 60s). The words sparkle and shimmer. The images will stay with you for a long time and the characters will worm their way into your heart. You won't regret picking up this book.

I had to immediately seek out the movie starring Dakota Fanning (and my library even had it). It was marvelous. It carried forth the same intensity of emotion. I cried (thankfully, the boys were gone, so I could watch without interruption and without being laughed at for my tears). Do read the book first, however; as always, the book is better than the movie!

Heading to CBLI With a Great Deal of Trepidation

Last Wednesday, as I sat at my computer reading my morning mail (most of it useless, as usual), without turning in any awkward manner or twisting or anything, I felt a sudden spasm of pain in the small of my back.  Since then, I have been battling another long-standing backache.  Although it hasn't been nearly as bad as the last episode, when I was immobilized on the floor and unable to even get up and getting to my bed to lie flat took over a half hour of painstakingly inching my way.

The difficulty lies in the fact that we are scheduled to leave for CBLI tomorrow.  I'm somewhat grateful to have planned a leisurely amble there.  We will drive an hour and a half to Grandma's house, where we will have lunch and move about for a bit, then will drive two and a half more hours to DeKalb, where we will stop in to visit and stay overnight with our dear friends, the Olsens.  Finally, that leaves only an hour and a half stint to camp on Friday morning.  This will be far easier on my back than a straight five hour drive would have been.

Still, I'm feeling such dread over the situation.  If my back doesn't improve, I'll be there unloading all of our things and walking extensively throughout the ten-day encampment.  I usually look forward to this camp so much, but I'm feeling "a great deal of trepidation."

This is reminiscent of a saying from one of the books we have packed to bring along for the drive - Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson series, where the pig, Mercy Watson, likes "hot toast with a great deal of butter!"  We've also packed DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux.  I'm hoping the boys will enjoy Despereaux as much as the third graders did back in Ms. Sharon McKee's classroom when I worked with her in DeKalb years ago.

I tried hard not to pack many of my own books to read because a fellow camper messaged me to say that she will be offering a free library in bins outside the front of their cabin.  She took the idea from this delightful website where others are blazing a trail of great literature love in their neck of the woods.  I have plucked about fifteen books from our shelves to contribute and hope to find something good to pick up for myself to read.  I think it's a fantastic idea.  Hopefully, the zealous regulators in Madison, Wisconsin, will stay far away from our little Camp Lake, Wisconsin free library (they are establishing regulations for these private book offerings in people's individual yards - ridiculous!).

I'm also feeling a bit of trepidation for another item we are packing - fishing poles.  The boys are eager to fish this year, but I'm less than eager to spend my afternoon free times sitting in the heat at the dock worried that one of them will get a rusty hook (which is about all we have left - I must go buy some newer hooks) lodged in their arm or something.  This fear is not a frivolous one.  When Bryce was little and spent loads of time down at the docks each day at CBLI, he actually did hook another boy's arm.  That little boy got his just revenge, though, when he put my car in drive and it took off (driver-less) up the concrete wall around the pop-stand.  Yikes!  Of course, I shouldn't have left Bryce and his buddy in the car, with the keys still in the ignition, while I ran over to the soda machine to grab them a quick soda.  Lesson learned.

I know we'll make tons of happy memories (just like the memories of the fish hook and the runaway car and the year Bryce was so sick I couldn't leave him in the room to even run to get some food for myself).  The boys are certainly excited.  I just wish I could feel a sense of peace about my back and the rigours of walking (not to mention climbing all those stairs for the zip-line ... urgh).

Living with a Parrot

Living with my MS is like living with a parrot. Wikipedia defines "photographic memory" as an "extraorinarily detailed and vivid recall of visual images." I'm going to coin a phrase. My son must have an "audiographic memory".

Lately, he has taken to listening to two of Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson stories in the van (Mercy Watson to the Rescue and Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride). Mercy is a pig whom the Watsons adore and treat as a member of the family. She enjoys "eating toast with a great deal of butter." So, while shopping at Walmart, it didn't surprise me at all when my MS said, "I enjoy eating macaroni and cheese, with a great deal of cheese!" Of course, others nearby kind of gave him a perplexed look.

Most of the time, however, I do have to pause and figure out where his comments originated. For a while, he kept saying "Where would we be without Spiderman?" Then one day, the comment jumped out at me on the CD. Mr. Watson exclaimed, "Where would we be without Mercy?" (And what a great line that is. Perhaps that one line is what prompted Kate DiCamillo to come up with the whole character. Indeed, where would we be, in this life, without mercy?)

But, my favorite this week had to be the time he walked up to his dad and out of the blue said, "Don't just dream of beautiful skin. Make it real!" The next time I saw a Proactive commercial, I understood clearly where his concern for his father's skin came from.

Of course, I can't say that I'm always fond of his incessant talking. He has the typical obsession of three year olds for repeating my name over and over and over, ad nauseum, throughout the day. I decided to try an approach I had used with my ES when he was three. I had told my ES that I wasn't Mommy anymore, but was now called Gertrude. My ES played along with it and for a few days, I would be called Gertrude.

Not so with my MS. This time, I tweaked the game a bit. I turned to him and, in a southern drawl, explained "Your mommy, she needed a vacation, so she left you here with me, Gertrude. Now I'll take care of you while she is gone. You need anything, you just ask little ol' Gertrude." He tried to say, "You're not Gertrude. You look just like my mommy." I played along, "Yes, we might even be twins, we're so similar. But, now, you rememba ... our names is different. I'm Gertrude." I couldn't get him to call me Gertrude for anything. Plus, he quickly deteriorated into anger. He was not going to be fooled. He continued to insist that I was Mom and not Gertrude, until finally I had to abandon the game in frustration (both his and mine). Now, if only I really had a twin, Gertrude, who could come take over on days when I tire of hearing my name called and repeated for the thousandth time.