Dear Readers,

I feel like the white rabbit. Oh, dear! Oh, dear! I shall be too late!

It’s 10:30ish on Friday morning. Something should be published here in less than three hours. I haven’t written for weeks. But I am interrupting my dish washing session to bring you a message.

Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here? asked Alice.

That depends a good deal on where you want to get to, said the Cheshire Cat.

The reason I haven’t written: I dropped our computer over the railing at the top of the steps. I stood there in shock a moment, not believing. It lay there in all it’s broken glory, bits and pieces scattered around and the guts spilling out. It still worked and I finished printing.

A few days later I dropped my phone. The screen cracked but I carried on as usual. Then it started blinking at me. I didn’t tell my husband because after all, it still worked.

Yet, you know how things are when they work but they don’t.

I finished sewing a dress this week. Another case of working but not really working. I guess I need to relearn how to fit myself into cotton frabric.

Tweedle de dum and Tweedle dee dee. Life goes on.

Someone told me recently that it’s strange, but when your children get married you get busier. It is a comfort to know at least one other person experienced that beside me.

It seems I cook more too! My daughter-in-laws are great help when it comes to feeding my boys, but even they don’t always know very far ahead if it will be supper for 2 or more.

I got a new dryer recently. It’s running now as I sit here and write but it beeps and then keeps going. Why doesn’t it just stop if it’s done? I’ve checked the settings and the extended tumble is off. It’s unsettling. It’s like when you hear a horn honk and you don’t know if you should run for cover or go see what’s the matter. Or maybe they just need someone to open the garage door.

The last book I read is The Black Stallion by Walter Farley. I proofread it for the school library. I loved it as a child and was a bit disappointed now. So much telling and so little showing. Things worked out too easily. Then I read About the Author at the back. Walter Farley wrote this book while he was in high school. Now I’m impressed again.

All I could think the other day was, I wish my house was done! Not just the trim on the windows and the bathroom and kitchen built, but every picture hung, shelf styled, throw pillow arranged. Finally I had a talk with that girl. Do you want to be miserable or do you want to be happy? I want to be happy, she said. Then you better be content, I answered.

I wish I hadn’t cried so much, said Alice as she swam about, trying to find her way out. I shall be drowned in my own tears!

I read an article titled 5 Bad Habits That Age You. The first habit mentioned was succumbing to stress. Have you been succumbing to stress? Have I? Is that actually a habit? Stress just happens to us! That succumbing word, is kinda scummy when you see it like that. The author said we should rather manage stress. What an idea. Take a deep breath, as my daughter tells me regularly.

The Queen turned crimson with fury and began screaming, Off with her head! Off with —

Nonsense, said Alice, very loudly and decidedly, and the Queen was silent.

What a lot of jabberwocky! I hope this didn’t confuse you. I think I’m forgetting some stuff. That could be a good thing. My train of thought may have jumped the tracks, but I recognize this point in which I’ve cleared the tracks for other thoughts, so I guess I’ll stop.

Alice in Wonderland was first published in 1865 and is considered the first novel written especially for children. It is classified as literary nonsense. Children have enjoyed it for over 150 years. It has never been out of print and has been translated into 174 languages.

I wonder why it seems to apply to my life today?

I hope your day has just enough nonsense to keep you smiling.

And I wonder if you have read Alice in Wonderland? Did you read it as a child or an adult? Is there a copy in your school’s library? Why should it be in the library or why not?

–Liz

For more of my nonsense:

10 Proven Ways to Make Winter Worse

If You Tell the Books