So apparently, it’s true what they say.  Everything’s bigger in Texas.  Including spiders.  Let me set the scene.  Last night.  Pantry.  Plastic bread wrapper moving unexpectedly [there’s no breeze in the pantry].  HUGE spider [2 inches in diameter] on the floor.  Me panicked since husband is out of town.  Two teenage boys mocking panicking mom [yet backing away from amazon spider].

It took almost thirty minutes to garner up the courage [15 year old son and me– 13 year old son filmed situation on his phone =/ ] to strategically move the broom and mop where the spider was hiding and trap it under a clear plastic cup, then ceremoniously carry the doomed arachnid to its watery grave [ie. the toilet].  

The mocking eldest son ratcheted up his mocking when I insisted they drop and flush at the same time [“The spider can’t get traction on porcelain, mom,” he said.  “Ha,” I said.  “I don’t care.  Drop and flush.  Do it.  Just do it.”]

They did, and immediately reeled backward, both amazed and slightly unnerved that the spider DID get traction and tried valiantly to climb out of the toilet bowl despite the fiercely swirling water.  The spider lost [did I mention it was HUGE?].

The point [aside from realizing that things ARE bigger in Texas] is that my boys were heroes once again.  Even in their mocking glory, they came to the rescue of a damsel in distress [me] and saved the day [or me from a sleepless night].  They’re good boys.  

Question of the Day:

Did you know there is such a thing as a Spider Vac?  I did not [until my sister in law told me].  I promptly jumped on-line and ordered one.  

The other question of the day is are your children ever heroic in every day life?

You know how there are moments that stick in your mind, little snippets of memories that you remember, but for no good reason?  

I have a Will Smith moment like that.  

First let me say that I never watched Fresh Prince when it was a current show.  I catch it every now and then when one of my kids has it on and I like it.  I like the intro song: Parents Just Don’t Understand, and I liked his Gettin’ Jiggy song.  I can’t remember the first Will Smith movie I , but I do remember thinking that he was okay.  

Then I saw him interviewed.  I think it was an interview with Barbara Walters, but again, I’m not certain.  That interview sticks in my mind because of something Will Smith said [I’m going off old memories here and I admit that I am probably remembering it how I want to =)].  He was being asked something about slang and Ebonics and rap [and how his music doesn’t use the same slang that other rap artists use].  

At the risk of alienating himself, Will said what he felt and he said it emphatically.  He said that in his opinion there was no excuse for people who have basic education to use bad grammar [assuming they have a rudimentary understanding of grammar].  He felt like it showed their ignorance and perpetuated a societal perception of blacks that shouldn’t be perpetuated.  He said something to the effect that education is important and if you have an education, you should not be afraid to acknowledge it and/or live your life using your education.  

I’m paraphrasing and, as I said, remembering only the gist of the interview.  While other people likely thought Will Smith smug for his statements and beliefs, I applauded him and my respect for him increased.  He left me with an impression that has stayed with me–that he is smart, has opinions he’s not afraid to share, and wants people to stand up for what they believe.  I admire people who are not afraid to say what they feel and believe, even if it is not the popular belief [not an easy thing to do].  And I admire people who value education and what it can do for a person and their life.

I did a google search to try to find Will’s exact words during that interview.  I couldn’t find a link, but what I did find was a chat room focused on Will Smith bashing.  Although I’m well aware that there are surely as many people who don’t like Will as there are people who like him [I’m in a creative business myself and I’d better understand that not everyone will like me or my books], I was still surprised.  To me, Will Smith is smart, likable,   bold, charismatic, and attractive.  He embodies many heroic traits in how he chooses to live his life–accepting responsibility for the failure of his first marriage, knowing what his values are and standing by them, knowing the importance of education, and recognizing the importance of family.  

He’s not perfect, as none of us are, but from what I can tell, he seems to be living an intentional life.  He makes interesting movies [to me, at least].  But the main reason I will always like Will Smith is because of that interview I saw years ago and the impression he left me with.  

Question of the Day:

Do you have a sliver of a memory that has stuck with you and framed how you see someone or something?  And what of Will Smith–are you a fan?

We are settling in Texas after a grueling 4 day drive.  The transition has made me think about things I have to have [those pesky necessities in life], things I want [that are attainable], and things that are on my “dream a little dream” list. Necessities:

1. the internet [I’m at Starbucks –almost 7 miles away and the only one within 20 miles that has wi-fi].  I miss it and I put this in the necessities category since I use it daily for my livelihood.
2.  refigeration.  Our refrigerator broke on day one in the new house [a built-in that we can’t afford to fix].  We are still without but the new, affordable fridge is supposed to arrive today.
3. a dryer.  We have a gas dryer and the new house is electric.  Argh!!!!
4.  friends.  I miss my Cali-girls more than I can say.  Shouting out to Paigey, Virna, Christy, Gloria, Kim, Katie, et al.   

 

 Wants:

1. a Mini Cooper.  My uncle just bought one and took us for a spin and it’s SO fun!  I think it will inspire me.  I think my next heroine will drive one.
2. to be out of boxes.  Soon, very soon.
3. friends for my kids.  Soon, very soon.4. to visit  [or be visited by] my friends. 

 

 Dreaming a Little Dream:

1. the Mini Cooper probably fits here unless I get writing and sell a new book, or ten. =)
2.  all my friends moving to North Texas.  It’s not an unreasonable request, is it?
3. I won’t get on my soapbox aside from saying: a cure for diabetes and celiac disease, two things our family lives with. 

 The process of moving has been strenuous to say the least.  If I never see another box, I’ll be happy!  But we’re here and settling and starting our newest adventure.  I’d love to hear about some of yours. 

 Question of the Day: Have you moved [inter or intrastate]?  What’s the worst part about moving?  The best? 

The Lost Duke of Wyndham, Julia Quinn [Avon Books, Harper-Collins, 2008]

When I read the back cover of Julia Quinn’s newest book, The Lost Duke of Wyndham, and saw that the hero was a highwayman, I immediately thought of the classic epic poem called, ‘The Highwayman’ by Alfred Noyes.  That poem is in the majority of 7th or 8th grade literature books  [it is filled with figurative language–a teacher’s delight].  The Highwayman has always been a favorite of mine because it’s so much fun to teach and discuss with students who are just discovering poetry.

A highwayman has a special appeal to me and so I bought this book and delved right in.   It didn’t disappoint.  Jack Cavendish-Audley is a charming, Robin Hood character.  He’s a highwayman and smooth as silk.  And just like in Alfred Noyes’s poem, his heart is true and he loves but one woman.

Stats:

Highwayman.  Rogue.  Swashbuckler.  He’s tall, dark, and handsome, rides a stallion name Lucy, and is trying desperately to hide elements of his past that he’d rather remain secret.  He has a deep appreciation for art and can read volumes into the paintings he admires.  He’s not so much into books, or reading of any kind, but a man of remarkable intelligence and impeccable manners, even when he’s robbing you blind.  JQ tends to give her heroes small disabilities that they are able to overcome–it makes the men real and vulnerable and Jack Audley is no exception.

The Look:

With his mask on, there’s not much to look at except his mouth.  “…his lips were so full of movement, so perfectly formed and expressive, that she almost felt she could see him.  It was odd.  And mesmerizing.  And more than a little unsettling.”

Jack has a smooth voice, like fine brandy, and eyes that are heavily-lidded and seductive.  His crooked smile is devilishly charming.  It hints at the secret things he’d like to do to a woman.  His clothes are well-worn [the dowager Duchess of Wyndham, aka Jack’s dear old Grandmama, would call them tattered and unacceptable].  He cleans up well, however, once he’s at Belgrave Hall.

Leading Lady:

Grace Eversleigh, companion to the dowager.  She’s an intelligent, impoverished innocent who is inexplicable smitten by the highwayman.  She reacts to his smile, then to his intelligence and appreciation of art, and finally to his visual caresses.  She’s an honorable woman who balances the [conceivably] in-honorable Jack [highwayman and all that].

The Final Analysis:

Find the Lost Duke of Wyndham!  It’s a fast read, a 3 course meal that is full of satisfying delights, and is as humorous as all of JQ’s other reads.  Jack Cavendish-Audley’s Robin Hood sensibility stems from his core and makes his plundering excusable, and even, one might say, acceptable and worth cheering.  He’s had his share of women [masterfully ensuring that no babies are sired by him], but he has saved his heart for Grace, and only Grace.

Question of the Day:

What is it about the Swashbuckler that is appealing?  Could you overcome the conceivably in-honorable traits of a highwayman?