I grew up with the idea of “happily ever after” firmly implanted in my mind, thanks to Walt Disney and Rodgers & Hammerstein. At the tender young age of five, my parents took me to see the original animated version of “Cinderella” (you do the math…) and suddenly, imagination merged with illustration. The prospect of mice doing housework and that blue dress and the injustice of ugly step-sisters intrigued me, albeit in cartoon form. I also acquired a theme song — for weeks afterward, I sang “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo” (or as much of it as I could remember) and life was good.
Fast forward a couple of years… Lithe, graceful Lesley Ann Warren lit up the TV screen in the real-life version of “Cinderella,” complete with heart-stirring songs and an even prettier dress. She tackled housework without the assistance of rodents and Prince Charming lived up to his name, given the fact that he was only 19 inches tall. My imagination was elevated to an even higher level — I could now picture myself as “her” (although lithe and graceful were seldom used to describe my countenance…) and I latched onto a new theme song: “In my own little corner, in my own little chair, I can be whatever I want to be-e-e-e…” Such are the flights of fancy of youth.
It took another thirty-odd years to outgrow Cinderella syndrome, but I finally figured out two things: 1) God is in charge of “happily ever after,” and 2) mice don’t do housework. I also learned that dreaming about doing something is less productive than actually doing something about your dreams. Fast forward to present day…
Up until now, I’ve given you glimpses of my outside life — the lake, a few flowers, etc. — but today I felt compelled to share “my own little corner” with you.
This is as real as it gets. Every day I’m surrounded by “My Favorite Things” (oops — wrong musical, but still a favorite!), including books that I love, gifts that I treasure and just enough clutter to remind me that dreaming is part of “who I am,” even if it doesn’t get the housework done. Blame it on lazy mice.
Hi Kimby! Thanks for linking to this post for the very first Makearoo Midweek Tweak. It’s so great to connect; I love your writing voice and this cozy nook makes me want to sit down and get to work.
Haha! LOVE this sonnet to your ‘little corner’! and what a corner it is, indeed! My eyes drink in all the pieces of you… the metronome! wow… a pianist? the crayons! oooooooooo she knows how to play! favorite books… wooden boxes with treasures in them… is that a painting? Treasures. I know there is a story in each one.
methinks that perhaps the mice represent that part of us that rise up to get it done.. the instinctual self that doesn’t make a big deal out of housework. Just a mouse deal! Thank you for this window into a piece of your precious soul, Kim!
HEY!! WHO SAYS MICE CAN’T DO HOUSEWORK!! I’ll have you know, missy, that I have had [NO] success with getting the mice to sweep and mop and sew… However, I have yet to perfect the art of coercive persuasion… So… Maybe one day…
All it takes is a fairy godmother… :)
I like this post a lot. You might like this quote: “Nothing works unless you do!” Maya Angelou
Have a great day :)
Thanks! ~ Kim