Halloween

All the kids were fighting illness this Halloween Night, but after being cooped up in the house for days, we decided to get out and trick or treat at a few houses. Much fun was had by Commander Fox, Cinderella and Yoda. Poor Cinderella lost her Tiara before we even left the house, but at least she still had her "glass slippers". Yoda dropped his light saber in favor of a bottle and Commander Fox handed off his laser gun so that he could haul more candy. There was a crispness in the air, but it wasn't too cold and the rain stayed away. A perfect night full of children's laughter and smiles.
Commander Fox, Yoda and Cinderella
So excited!Running from house to house. Where'd they find all that energy?

Have you ever seen a cuter Yoda?

The magic of books

1978

A dad gives his 6 year old daughter her first chapter book with an inscription that reads:

"Dear Chandra,
So you can spend time with one of your friends.
Love Daddy"

A love of books is born.

I don't know when I was first introduced to Laura Ingalls and the Little House on the Prairie series, but because of my dad's inscription I do know that by the age of 6 I already loved her character. I collected the series of books over the years and read them over and over. I loved mischievous Laura and all her pranks, fun times and her good heart. I giggled, laughed out loud, cried and pondered over all the characters in the little town on the prairie and there was a time I knew them like they were my own family.

As I got older, as my tastes changed, I moved on to Nancy Drew, Anne of Green Gables and all things Judy Bloom. But, secretly, when I'd read everything I'd gotten from the library but still wanted to stay up late reading with a flashlight under my covers, I'd pull out one of my old favorites.

I loved those book so much that to this day they sit on my bookshelf.

The stories in those books were so good that they made a TV show. In my early 20's I got hooked on reruns of it, and I think I saw every episode. The actress Melissa Gilbert brought Laura Ingalls to the little screen and played her character so well and for so long that I can't help but picture her face when I hear the words Little House on the Prairie. When I watched the reruns, I saw the story with new eyes. I'd recently gotten married so Laura's relationship with Almonzo or "Manny" was a much more interesting plot line, and I loved that Laura will still herself and didn't submit to a man but became his partner.

Last night, I got to see the musical version of "Little House on the Prairie". I sat, without moving, and enjoyed every minute. True to form, I laughed out loud and cried right along with the characters. This time, what called to me, was the relationship between mother and daughter and the mother's embrace of the "wild child" in her daughter. Laura sang a song about not wanting to be good and wanting to run wild and there were frequent references to Ma being the same when she was a girl. Now that I have a daughter, and one who challenges me daily with her wildness, I fully appreciate how Ma felt. I also see a little of myself in that little girl who's full of sass.

A character, brought to life through books 30 years ago, still relevant and loved after all these years.

Thank you Laura Ingalls Wilder for writing about your life and inspiring young girls to be anything they want to be.

Thank you daddy for starting a life long love of books.

My friend Jacy and I, before the show


Me with Melissa Gilbert (gasp!) She played Ma in the musical.