Books, stories, poems, I think, are the real stone pavers of our lives. Scan the pages and traipse into new worlds of ice and snow or colorful jungles or a secret garden. Fall in fear or fall in love with characters you care about or never want to meet.
My mother, Marjorie Sheridan Andreae instilled a love of words in me. Some of my favorite mom sharings are the poems, short and rhymey and inspirational Trees by lyrical American poet Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918) and the heart-wrenching, never-to-be-forgotten, Ballad of the Harp Weaver by Pulitzer prize winner, American poet, Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950.)
Let me introduce you to my magnificent mother, Marjorie!
So Mom, what inspired your artistic talents?
I remember being in the 4th grade in Peck, Michigan. Miss McCaulley, the Art Teacher, asked the class to draw a story. I drew a wolf and a little girl in a red cape. Miss McCaulley raved over my work. "This is just wonderful." From then on, I was on fire to create art.
What was your favorite childhood book?
Heidi by Johanna Spyri. I loved books on other lands and adventures - the Bobbsey Twins and Nancy Drew series were also favorites.
What kind of books do you like to read now?
I love to learn new things. So I do read a lot of current How-To books, and I enjoy romance and history. I find myself reading three to four books at a time.
Trees
by Joyce Killmer (in the public domain)
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who ultimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.