An Author's Purpose

Time off means time to think. I'm enjoying the leisure that comes with the beginning of spring break even though it doesn't feel like spring yet.  Four days ago I tromped with Madilyn and Sophie through layered snow amidst a path of trees out behind our house.  Beyond the greenbelt, train tracks were covered in ice and glistening white powder. Snug below a canopy of trees, we felt as if we'd wandered into Narnia. We traveled into one of those surreal moments that come few and far between.  I pondered over purpose.  Now, in this moment, the snow has melted, the sky remains grey, and I will write — today. 

 Some call it ADHD

         Others call it creativity

My friend calls it "diversified talent"

       I call it confusing.

There are those who know,

know why, know who, know purpose.

They ask the flight attendant for scotch

and she answers with cheap whiskey. 

The Knowers prophesy perfection,

but,

       do they ever question the blueprint?

In dark hours before dawn

           Does Doubt visit the architect?

I crave the frenzy,

     I swim in stormy waters,

               to catch the wave

of promised change.

Lenka says, "all I want to be is everything— 

at once."

Me too.

..........................................................Since the age of I don't remember,

the stories are of mothers, homemakers, writers, teachers, lawyers, poets, business owners, hairdressers, copywriters, postcard creators, interior decorators, fashionistas,  story builders.

Curiosity is the giver,

and the taker;

didn't he kill the cat?

My grandparents lived in the same house for fifty years.

I've lived in thirteen.

My grandmother, a preacher woman,

her profession was dedicated to helping others:

HER ENTIRE LIFE.

             I am what I am.
     

Study and obsess until I get good, at least proficient. 
Put in the time until time slows.

Then boredom sets in,

or I pass by greener grass, 

that damned grass!

Who tends the grounds?

How long has the landscaper scaped?

I pass another lawn,

     as green as the last,

         and I forget.

Tales told,

a cruel narrator who makes and murders.

Characters evolve, the setting moves,

onto the next.

I am the curator of my life.

Author Unknown.

All Is Well

With shimmering white hair, she sits in her recliner, rocking slowly, each sway moving her closer to Jesus.  My Nana has counted her blessings and thanked her Maker every day, all 38,450 of them. She told me this weekend she doesn't know why God has let her live this long and after living 105 years, she feels tired. These days she prays for strength. "I tell God that I'm grateful to be alive, but if he is going to leave me on this earth he will need to give me the strength to live here," she said to me as I walked her to the kitchen on Saturday morning.

   I know why the good Lord has let her stay: to bless the rest of us.  She loves with intrepid kindness, the kind of honest love that people rarely share anymore. She's funny and insightful.  She's full of wisdom. She's a straight-shooter and she's opinionated, but she respects those whose opinion differs from hers.

   She's political. The last democrat she voted for was Jimmy Carter, and as far as she is concerned, he was the most "honest Christian man to serve our country."  She has repeatedly mentioned that "it's a shame he wasn't reelected for a second term." Reagan turned out to be a "fine president from Hollywood," and Clinton should have "kept his pants on but I guess he did an okay job running the country." She has an autographed picture of George W sitting on her mantle.  She not only remembers most of the presidents from this past century, she also recalls significant historic events.

    She remembers the dust bowl and the New Deal, the roaring twenties and the WPA.  She can recall both World Wars.  She lived in Alamogordo during the Manhattan Project and at one point worked in an artillery plant to support the war.  She was living in Texas when Kennedy was shot, and she mourned the loss of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when many white southerners did not.  During her lifetime, she watched technology change our world.  She went from living on the farm with no electricity or plumbing to owning a cell phone.  Hers is a flip, but she asks me why my phone is so smart. She understands that I can use my phone as an encyclopedia and she's curious. "How can it know that information? Does it pull it from up there?" she asked me and pointed to the sky.
Honestly, I had never pondered the inner workings of Google.  I gave her the best answer I could, "it's magic, Nana."

   The magic lights the lamp, illuminating Nana's words.  In a phone conversation last week Nana told me she wasn't feeling well but at the risk of complaining, she changed her mind. She said she would say what the woman in the Bible said, "all is well." She asked me if I knew the story and I told her no.  She proceeded to give the account of the woman who proclaimed to the servant on the street that all was well when in truth her son lay dead at home.
     Nana continued on and said, "The woman kept her faith in the midst of turmoil. Once she reached the prophet..." she paused momentarily, searching for the word.  "Oh, you know the prophet...I can't remember his name, but you know who it is."
    "Isaiah?" I answered.
    "No, no.  Well, anyway, the prophet, Mr. What's His Name, brought the boy back to life.  The woman believed God would restore her son, and so I will say the same--all is well."
    "Which book is that story in, Nana?"
    "I don't remember."
 
    This past weekend while I visited her, I told her that I had looked up the details of the woman and read it for myself.
   "I found it in Kings," I explained.
   Astonished she quipped, "You mean you found it on that?" She pointed to my phone.
   "Yes.  It's in second Kings, chapter four."
   "I don't understand how that thing works," she thought for a moment.  Slowly shaking her head sideways she retorted, "I don't belong to this world; it has passed me by."
   I thought for a moment how it might feel to live in her world. A world that was built on the backs of her generation but then to be left behind when sore bones could no longer keep up. I wanted to assure her she was okay and she always had a reservation as long she wanted the room.
  "Nana, don't worry.  I don't understand how it works either. All is well," I said, hoping to believe it.
 

Our sweet Nana.

   
 

New Year, New Perspective.

Why bother making New Year's Resolutions?  We all know that we will break them, right?  We vow to eat better, work out, spend less money, but why do we make the effort when we know by late February we'll be back to our dessert eating, tired, on-line shopping ways? HOPE is the reason we make our resolutions, and a life without hope is a dark one indeed.  So, I say rejoice in those resolutions and even if you break them, at least you've attempted to create a better life for yourself, because isn't that the point? Isn't improvement of ourselves the goal of our many trips around the sun?

My resolution:  Maintain a positive perspective in regards to myself and others.  Here are my three new mottos:

1. Compare not.  
• I compare myself to EVERYONE I meet and I am not even slightly joking.  I think my heart starts in the right place; I want to become the best version of myself, but in doing so, I constantly assess my place among others I know. This practice places a person on a quest that can never be fulfilled. Why? Someone will always be prettier, smarter, skinnier, richer, and overall more successful than I and knowing that makes me feel bad about myself.  But in the same sentiment, someone will always be less fortunate than I and that view is worse than the first.  It leads to a prideful heart. And anyway, why should I decide who is what?  So instead of all this comparing, I strive to remember that we are all God's children, and we all have our place and purpose and the superficial stuff doesn't matter. So, instead of coveting, I choose gratefulness and change my envious thoughts to a prayer thanking the Almighty who gave me blessings beyond measure. 
2. Live and let live.
•  I have my life and you have yours.  Why do I want to meddle in your business when I can barely manage mine?  I think others, including myself, attempt to control another out of fear.  Let's focus on helping others instead of telling them how to live, which leads me to my last motto.
3. Love, don't judge.
• I've found that if I shift my view and if I question why I'm judging another, I can get to the real issue bothering me, which usually has nothing to do with the other person or group. People judge for all sorts of reasons; fear, misunderstanding, insecurity, and sometimes judgement comes from a genuine desire to help, but it is fueled by a misdirected perspective. Instead of wasting negative energy by judging,  I can create positive energy by loving.  

~Truly, Cinderella (the middle-class, thirty-something, working-mom Cinde, of course)

Ten Steps to Maximize Your Time!

I am writing this while sitting at Love Field waiting for my daughter to board.  Then, when I leave here I'm booked with clients who are ready to get their holiday hair on! On the drive over here, I pondered over ideas on how I want teach the Dystopian unit in my classroom.  I attempt to utilize every minute given. Yes, I am a energetic enigma, hairdresser and school teacher, but we all wear different hats and shift from one role to another in our daily lives.  With all this changing and moving, how do we best maximize our time?  Here are ten tips that help me and and might help you. 

Ten ways to make the most out of every minute.

1. Live your life; don't watch someone else's on television.

Americans spend an average of five hours a day watching television according to New York Daily News.  We spend another three hours perusing social media (New York Times) and although there are some benefits (like finding awesome projects on Pinterest or de-compressing with a fun episode of the Voice), most of those hours are buried in wasted time graveyard. Think about what might happen if instead of watching mindless hours of television or spending countless minutes checking out "the Joneses," people spent quality time with their families, served their community, or even read a great book.  Honestly, we could pioneer a new world with that kind of time. Now I'm not advocating TV or Social Media abstinence, (we all know that Twitter celibacy is impractical) but practice safe tweeting!  Set boundaries like designating a time limit on how long you allow yourself to creep on Instagram or Facebook.  Don't fall prey to a life lost to voyeurism.  The next time you sit in front of the tube or go for your phone, ask yourself if what your watching is worth your time? Then ask if your time could be spent better doing something else?  

2. Prioritize your time.

Life happens but don't let life "happen" to you.  Create your moments.  That diabolical Father Time will rob you a life well-lived if you don't consciously schedule your days. Decide at the beginning of the month what makes the calendar. Your time is important--keep this in mind as you schedule. Get mandatory events penciled in first then begin scheduling the "other." And remember, people matter not things. Make time for the ones you love first, then schedule the rest. Of course, we all must spend X amount of time on our responsibilities (like our jobs) but most of us create obligations that aren't necessary. Do you really need to join another committee or register your kiddo in another extracurricular? Leave a little free time for serendipity; every second passed is lost forever to Father Time.  Make your seconds count. 

3. Learn to say goodbye.

Do you ever find yourself in a exhausting conversation with someone who possesses a negative outlook on life?  These "energy vampires" will suck out all the inspiration from you. Learn to kindly step away or redirect the energy curmudgeon. Remember, you author your book. Write the moments the way you want and don't allow others to take away your pen. 

4. Invest your time in who and what matters.

Make time for family and good friends because the return on this investment is priceless! When I reflect on choices I've made over the years, I never regret spending time with my girls. If anything, the regrets are that I have not spent more time with them. Also, hanging out with friends is good for the soul.  Best friends make the hard times better and good times great.  I couldn't live without my fabulous girlfriends.  Lastly, organize your work schedule that reflects value. What I mean is prioritize the hours spent at work to gain the most from them. Now I'm preaching to the choir because I am the worst when it comes to spending countless hours on a task when it should have taken one. I envy those who have the gift of "assess and act." My problem is that during the assessment stage, I assess EVERYTHING and end up racing down the rabbit's trail. I end up losing track of the rabbit I was supposed to be chasing! Sooo....

5. Avoid the rabbit's trail and forget about perfectionism.
When you find yourself obsessing over details--STEP-AWAY! Walk away, grab a drink, and relax a minute. Chances are when you go back you will notice what needs to be changed. Make a conscious decision to leave it alone and move on. When you think about it, even perfect can be improved.  Be confident in your strengths and recognize your growth. The rest is blurred in the background. 

6. Sift and chunk the junk.

De-clutter your mind and your environment. Stay organized to maximize time by purging stuff you don't need.  When your mind gets cluttered, focus on what matters. News flash: you control your thoughts. When you find yourself agonizing over situations that are out of your control-stop thinking about it. Let it go and don't crowd your mind with useless, counter-productive thoughts. 

7. Less is more. 
The more "stuff" you manage, the more time it takes.  Simplify your life.

8. You're not tired; you're inspired.
When you feel exhausted and your list is long, make this your mantra. Think about how much energy you have when you are looking forward to a vacation.  You are pumped and it doesn't matter that you stayed up late packing and your flight leaves at 6 am: You are inspired!  Harness that energy and apply it to the ordinary Monday night when you have worked all day, and you still need to cook dinner, help the kids with homework, and prepare for work the next day. You can do it and do it well because the payoff is that you've provided for your family, you have made a healthy home-cooked meal, and you have contributed to the success of your children. 

9. Use every second.
Everyone needs down time to rest and relax but do so with intent.  Take advantage of spare minutes. Check your email while waiting in line, listen to an audio-book while driving across town, listen to the news while getting ready in the morning; seize the day! 

10. Fear not.
We only get so many minutes around the clock, so I plan to wear my best party dress and have a heck of time spinning!  Don't be afraid to make time for new adventures. When the dance ends, when the clock stops, go...go knowing you made the minutes count.

~Truly, Cinderella (the middle-class, thirty-something, working mom Cinderella, of course) 

REAL Life in October

I arose this gorgeous Sunday morning to crisp cool Autumn air, then poured a steaming cup of rich coffee into my favorite mug and savored a moment of serenity.  Snuggling into my red comfy chair I gazed onto the flowerbeds in the front.  Feeling an artificial sense of proficiency, I zealously planned to plant mums and decorate with pumpkins and hay bales during the afternoon following church.  Yes, after Sunday brunch, after Madilyn's tennis matches, I would cultivate the garden and adorn my home with welcoming Fall decor.  (Yeah, right!)

Real life:  Actually made it to church, but arrived overdressed.  It's like when an invitation says business casual and everyone else takes that to mean casual.  There IS a difference.  Apparently we missed the invitation that read, athletic casual because we rocked Sunday dress; the congregation wore shorts, t-shirts, pearl snaps?  Of course my husband took this opportunity to lean over and whisper indignantly, "I could have worn my jeans."  Anyway, I'd like to pretend that we are stellar Christians who lead life groups and listen to Hillsong in our cars but in truth this was our first time in church since the beginning of the summer!  (I know...heathens!)  You see, since we moved to the FloMo community we haven't found a church...like pastors haven't walked into our home carrying their flock to minister to us!  I suppose it doesn't work like that...something about SEEK and you shall find.  Guess we'd better do a little more seeking and a little less sleeping.

More real life: We practically jogged out of the sanctuary because Madilyn had to be at her tennis tournament at 1:15 and it was 12:20.  Forget brunch, we managed a drive through at Rosa's.  Scarfing it down, Madi quickly changed clothes and we were out the door headed for the courts.  She played two matches, lost them both, but it's totally fine because she really is improving in skill.  She played tough competitors and I'm so proud of her!

Real life continues: At 4:00 Madilyn, aka diva, reminded me that I promised her I would do her hair this afternoon. Fact: my hairdressing skills work as a blessing and a curse. I rejoice that we don't have to pay for our colors and cuts, but the downside is that I have yet another chore to add to the to-do list for the fam. Luckily, it's a chore that I enjoy.  While applying highlights to her hair I noticed the roots on mine, so while hers was processing I slapped on a medium brown.  Not exactly ultra glam, but it'll do.

The rest of the story: So after church when we were hurrying up the steps to the house (because Matt's side of the garage looks like an episode of hoarders thereby impairing our ability to park the truck inside) our neighbor stopped us to invite us to dinner, yet again.  We haven't been able to commit because our schedule is nuts, but I figured since they keep asking we ought to be decent neighbors and have dinner with them! They seem so sweet and we'd enjoy getting to know them. I pulled out my phone to schedule on iCal, and while checking dates, afore mentioned adorable, braided hair, bo-ho chic, perfect figure, neighbor says, "we eat Paleo so we look forward to grilling lean steaks for y'all." I responded appropriately with a "that's wonderful," and Matt looked completely confounded.  We said goodbye and before the front door was closed, he was asking "what the heck does Paleo mean" and I told him it means we suck at life and they don't.  I explained that it means we eat fajita burritos for lunch and they eat vegetables.  We dessert on chips and queso and they eat blueberries.

Naturally, when I begin thinking of one, I obsess over another, and my mind wandered to the working mom I know who runs every morning at five am and still commutes thirty minutes to work! Meanwhile I have a five minute commute and get out of bed about the time her workout is over.  There is no stopping this envy train once it's rolling, and I visit town after town of people who "are doing it right." I stop in at the station long enough to berate myself for not living life better.  Sure, I jog, until I don't.  I eat healthy, until I stop.  I save money, until I buy. I'm totally organized, until I'm not. I crawl back on the train hoping to find my magical godmother on board who will save me from myself and take me to the land of accomplishment. Wishful thinking goes on until I finally depart arriving at Gratefulness.

I'm not perfect, and if I'm honest no-one is...not even Mr. and Mrs. Paleo.  I remind my myself that even though we might not yet be the best versions of ourselves, our family has been blessed beyond measure.  No, I can't do it all (like write this blog as often as I'd like) or BE it all but I can remember to say thank you to the Divine who has lent me the minutes to create the moments.

The purpose:  Living each day better than yesterday and showing love to the travelers along the journey.

Tonight the front porch lacks pumpkins and hay bales, but my heart holds all the happy memories of Autumn's past, the perfect and the not-so perfect.  I'm grateful for the seasons, no matter whether they're decorated or not.

~Truly, Cinderella

Piaggio BV500 Scooter-Bella's new ride!

Piaggio BV500 Scooter

Bella is ready to join the ranks of other cruising enthusiasts who scoot from coffee shop to class, home to work.  Her gently used Piaggo scooter provides the perfect balance of speedy transportation with environmental conservation.  Her new ride gets 50 miles to the gallon, which means she'll save tons of money on gas leaving her extra cash to buy Ramen.  And what about when she needs to restock those noodles?  Groceries=No prob!  Both sides of her new ride have hard-cased side compartments, plus a storage trunk on the back.     Bella's scooter is Euro-fab and affirmed my desire to get a Can-Am Spyder.  I've wanted the three-wheeled beauty lacquered in crisp white for years.  I'd better start saving my pennies because Matt said he could find no good reason to buy me one.  Since my commute is all of five minutes, I can't use that as an excuse.  I could sell my car, which might bring in enough for me to buy one, but I'd still have that pesky chauffeur problem. Logistically, how will I drive around "the Maddis" and friends around town? Hmmm, I'll have to think on that one....

When (notice I didn't say if but when) I did get one, I'd need to take a motorcycle class first.  Bella took a class last week at Freedom Power Sports in Lewisville and had a great time.  She raved so much about her instructor on the first day,  that I went to meet her the second.  Danielle was friendly and helpful; she possessed a confidence in riding and relayed those skills in such a way that eased any fears Bella might have had.  Bella agreed to let me video her in motion:

Warming up.

Doesn't she look great?  Today she went to the DPS office and got her M license! 

As for me, maybe when my hair is completely grey (although, why would I ever stop coloring it?) and I eat my dinners at Cotton Patch, then maybe I can afford to buy a Can-Am!  Until then, I tried on this one for size. 
"Honey, take my picture?  Don't I look cute?  I think I need one too." I said.  
Matt was not amused.  He was busy trying to mow the lawn and there I stood, jumping up and down, trying to gain his attention.  He turned off the motor and gave me "the look."  The look I've grown quite accustomed to seeing over the past few years.  The look that says, you suffer from dreams of grandeur, you're a lunatic, and why must I always drop everything because you want a picture taken?!  Really?
I responded by doing what I always do--I ignored the look. "Honey, it will only take a minute.  Please??"

~Truly, Cinderella

Lazy Days of Summer?

Rolling into the hot, Texas dog-days of summer, I promise myself to make time to relax.  I mean really relax; my mind, soul, and body.  I'm fortunate to have my summers.  There is a reason educators are given this time off, and it has nothing to do with agrarian tradition! Spend a few days inside the classroom and you'll understand why, which takes me back to my point.  Project RELAXATION.

Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, Zac Brown Band, and other country artists sing songs for beach picnics and bbq dinners.  Those easy-going greats wrote summertime anthems for the weary to remind us of forgotten warm afternoons from days past.  "Bare feet on the dashboard," "swimmin' holes," a blown out "flip-flop," and "toes in the water;"  Now this group knows how to unwind.  Then again, they are not mothers.




So, where are these long-lost glory days of summer?  

Continually striving to become the perfect mother, wife, hostess, and decorator my days are filled with tinkering and fiddling, always busy.  My mantra, idle hands build an idle life.  My husband likes to watch movies at home, but I can't sit still long enough to enjoy one.  "Besides," I ask him, "why watch someone else's life when you could live your own?" So since June 6th, we have ventured inside the city to visit the JKF Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Arboretum, the Dallas Zoo; we've attended concerts and two firework shows, eaten at a variety of new restaurants, and perused the Bishop Arts District. I've read five books, cooked countless meals, baked a myriad of desserts, decorated the reading room, planted flowers, cleaned out the garage and deep cleaned the house.  On the side, I've continued my love affair with hair and coiffed some fabulous dos (pronounced 'doos'-as in hair) for friends.  I've engaged in countless conversations, catching up with old friends.  Madilyn attended tennis camp; Bella worked as well as prepared for her college friends to visit.  The days zipped by with all this busy-ness. My hands build life and I love it!  I eagerly embark on the day's journey.  I am Mrs. Dalloway but like her, sometimes I wonder why?  Woolf in her melancholy way reminds us of the question: what's the purpose in all this movement? When Mr. Walsh compliments her, calling her the perfect hostess she cringes.  She despises the simple classification and thinks it silly.  But later she remembers "...that a woman's gift, of making a world of her own wherever she happened to be" is extraordinary.  I agree. 

However, now is the time to rest. Next week I'm going to Seattle with Matt and I'm going plans-free.  I'll leisurely walk the streets allowing Fate's hand to guide me. I'm leaving space for Serendipity to work her magic.  When the bright sun warms my face, I'll pause to capture the feeling.  I'll enjoy the city without judgement, without agenda.  And though I won't have beach or sand,  I'll have adventure.  Adventure without the to-do list.  

~Truly, Cinderella

Duchess Kate

Who doesn't adore Duchess Kate? She defines classic-modern style. She exudes grace and beauty.  She is a lady inside and out.  Just this past week she and William celebrated their third anniversary. Hard to believe that three years have passed since the world watched the idyllic fairytale wedding take place.

http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/

The divine dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen captured her simple yet elegant presence, framing her place on the royal scene.  With each appearance, the public falls more in love with the stately duchess.

   If you too enjoy peeking in, glimpsing from time to time into the grand life of Catherine Duchess  of Cambridge then visit http://hrhduchesskate.blogspot.com for continual updates.  You'll find tons of photos as well as up-to-date info on recent outings.  One trip you won't find on the site is Kate's visit to Memphis this weekend, only William and Harry went.  Sad news for someone like me--I was looking forward to seeing the outfits she'd wear to the "Birthplace to Rock 'n Roll."

  So, as not to feel disappointed, I imagined styles the princess might wear.   First she would arrive in the city embracing the country/rock 'n roll style in something like this:

Kate's Arrival to Memphis by marsi-hubbard featuring studded shoes

Alice by Temperley knee high dress
net-a-porter.com

Frye studded shoes
amazon.com

Buti leather shoulder handbag
forzieri.com

Carolina Bucci gold plated bracelet
net-a-porter.com

Marco Bicego 18k gold jewelry
$785 - harrods.com

The Row thick glasses
farfetch.com

Helen Kaminski raffia hat
saksfifthavenue.com




For the rehearsal dinner, she might have worn this:
 

Kate's Rehearsal Dinner Dress by marsi-hubbard featuring high heel pumps

Fendi blue dress
$660 - yoox.com

Manolo Blahnik high heel pumps
nordstrom.com

Tory Burch clutch
toryburch.com

Blue Nile 18k white gold bracelet
bluenile.com

Cathy Waterman drop earrings
barneys.com

Eva Fehren white gold pave diamond ring
modaoperandi.com



For a day's outing to tour the sites like Graceland, she probably would have adorned classic Southern style and might have worn something like this: 

Kate's Saturday Afternoon in Memphis by marsi-hubbard featuring a v neck cocktail dress

Ted Baker v neck cocktail dress
$285 - repertoirefashion.co.uk

Mulberry patent leather pointed toe pumps
mulberry.com

Tod s zip top tote bag
mytheresa.com

14 karat gold jewelry
overstock.com



Finally, to attend the wedding of Lizzy Wilson, granddaughter of Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson, and club owner Guy Pelly she may have worn something like this:
  

Kate Attends Wedding by marsi-hubbard featuring christian louboutin handbags

Issa formal evening dress
matchesfashion.com

Jimmy Choo peep toe shoes
bergdorfgoodman.com

Christian louboutin handbag
christianlouboutin.com

Ileana Makri gold diamond earrings
$5,225 - brownsfashion.com

Studded bracelet
cartier.us

Monique Péan 18k ring
marissacollections.com




But, we'll never know. Instead we are left with images of what might have been. 

Blood Moon and Palindromes

Palindrome: a word, phrase, sentence, or number that reads or means the same thing forwards or backwards.

Blood Moon: a moniker for a lunar eclipse that gives the moon a warm red appearance.

http://i.space.com/images/i/000/005/941/i02/reddened-moon-lunar-eclipse-101221-02.jpg?1292951155

     On 4-14-14 my student blurted out, “Mrs. H, did you know that the dates this week are all palindromes?  

    To which I responded with kind euphemism, “Tucker, please raise your hand if you have something to share and let’s keep our discussions relevant to the novel,” code for shut your mouth, that was random, and don’t interrupt me!  (NEVER would I say aloud.) However, as all good educators know, our students teach us, too.  Intrigued, I casually meandered to his table, and quietly asked him to explain more.

      “Tucker, when I write out the date, 04-14-2014, I don’t end up with a palindrome.  

       He responded, “No, you have to write the dates like this, 4-14-14, 4-15-14,… See? Now you have a set of palindromes."

     “Cool,” I replied, and nodded my head while muttering, “How interesting.”  

      The next day, inspired by palindrome dates and apocalyptic eclipses, I told my students to write a poem over the “blood moon” using 8 palindrome words.  If you missed all the moon hype, here is a link to witness the spectacular sight.

 http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/15/tech/innovation/blood-moon/index.html?hpt=hp_c4

     Figuring I ought to implement what I instruct, I wrote a poem using palindrome phrases. 

Murder for a jar of red rum
Now do I repay a period won?
Was it a bat I saw?
Nurse, I spy gypsies, run!
Too hot to hoot,
Too far, Edna, wander afoot.
Was it a cat I saw?
Toot! Toot!
Mad? Am I madam?
4-16-14
No omelet did tele moon! 

    A poem devised of palindromic phrases proved harder than I thought, thus I borrowed heavily from: http://www.cs.arizona.edu/icon/oddsends/palinsen.htm

  

  Anyway, next time you trip acid, while watching the moon eclipse red, feel free to recite my cryptic poem, shouting it into a vast black interminable sky! (Disclaimer:  JUST SAY NO!  I do not condone the use of illegal drugs nor does this blog.) 

Let the ever eclectic fairytale continue...

~Truly, Cinderella

Southern Living

http://www.southernliving.com/

 Do you think Cinderella read Southern Living?  After she took back her slipper, planned her dream wedding, and married Prince Charming, did she melt into her comfy chair, the one with a gorgeous view of the hydrangeas, to sip steaming Chai tea and read her newest issue?  I think so.  I believe Cinde was the ultimate Southern belle.  Think about it: She demonstrated resourcefulness; after crafting three ballgowns for her evil steps, she found the energy to hop into a vegetable carriage pulled by mutant mice, attend a pretentious gala, and captivate an entire room with her beauty.  She wooed the boy by showcasing her graceful dance moves while wearing a knock-out dress!  She was polite when facing her adversaries but destroyed them with a fabulous pair of heels.  Sounds like a southern woman to me.
   Well, this modern day, middle-aged-ish working mom reads Southern Living religiously.  Like, it's the Southern woman's Bible and Lindsay Bierman is my prophet.

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SouthernLiving.com

(Seeing how I'm a fine Christian woman, I don't mean that literally, as I'd never say something so sacrilegious.  But if I ever form a SL cult, the aforementioned would definitely apply.)  Each and every issue transports me inside the pages where I'm inspired to create, design, travel, cook, and reside within a charming southern home.  
   Just last night I baked a delicious strawberry cream sheet cake, a recipe taken straight from April's issue, for a baby shower our team hosted at work today.  The scrumptious indulgent delight received numerous accolades.  Thank you Southern Living. In fact, never have I made an SL dish that wasn't tasty.  Not only am I a better cook per my subscription, I'm a better person.

Delicious Crowd-Pleaser! 
 http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/strawberries-cream-sheet-cake-50400000134445/

   Southern Living is an aphrodisiac. Last week when my husband and I were bickering over absolutely NOTHING (yes, even Prince Charming and Cinderella speak in "loud voices"), Southern Living brought peace and solace to our marriage.  Mid dispute, frustrated and feeling defeated, I picked up my magazine, headed to the recliner, and lost myself within the pages.  Call me old school, but I prefer the hard copies.  I enjoy flipping crisp, glossy paper, turning down edges to mark favorite articles.  After reading the Grumpy Gardner's tips, Allison Glock's whimsy, and Rick Bragg's wit I didn't care if Matt agreed to de-clutter the garage or not.  Dreaming of front porches and garden parties, I walked into his office and smothered him in kisses. I professed my unyielding love and appreciation for such a wonderful, hard-working husband.  Those beautiful pages possess the power to heal.
   Southern Living speaks to the soul.  When the academic year began, Rick Bragg understood my plight...and wrote about it.  What happened to yesteryear?  Fireflies and streetlamps, swimming pools and picnics, and summers that ended AFTER labor day? He gets it.  During the holiday season when Allison Glock wrote Taking Sides and described her family's traditional Cranberry Salad served without fail EVERY Thanksgiving, my heart leapt!

http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2013/07/30/10-tips-for-building-the-quintessential-southern-home/

I recognized the dish, kin to my Nana's Green Jello Salad.  I carry on the yearly tradition, making the tedious traditional salad, not because anyone eats the darn thing but because we'd be committing a cardinal sin without it.  And when Lindsay Bierman published his Ten Commandments for Southern Style Design, I applauded and said aloud, "Finally, a Southerner who understands the importance of preserving the land and the integrity of historical authenticity!"

http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2013/07/30/10-tips-for-building-the-quintessential-southern-home/

Concrete boxes erected atop exposed earth, cheap land purchased by voracious consumers does not build a community.  Thoughtful design does. Bierman also lends his expert advice on interiors. For decorating tips visit his 10 Tried and True Decorating Rules.
   I could babble on endlessly about the divine Southern Living.  Ramble on about my secret plans to visit each unique restaurant, stylish boutique, trendy bar, and classy hotel in the southernmost part of the US of A every time I read the travel guide.  However, my chores are calling much like yours.  After all, I have a castle that needs tending to; albeit considered most likely a "before" castle in the Southern home design section but with each SL idea my home is transforming into an "after. "  Thank you, Southern Living.  Looking forward to May's issue!

~Truly, Cinderella