Katharine in her awesome specs
I’m thrilled to host the fabulous Katharine Ashe today on the blog. As you know, Katharine and I are co-bloggers over at The Ballroom Blog — Do you read that? You should. It’s Regency fun. — and aside from writing epic Regencies, she is a lady in lenses. Very. Cool. Lenses (see left).
So, when I decided to launch Girls Who Wear Glasses month in honor of Pippa Marbury, the heroine of One Good Earl Deserves a Lover, I knew Katharine was going to have to weigh in on spectacles. I knew she’d have lots to say, and a definite favorite girl who wears glasses.
Boy, do I love this post!
**
I know a little girl of 5 and ¾ years. Let’s call her Rosella. (It’s her favorite name that isn’t her own, though Minnie would do nearly as well.)
She is my favorite GWWG.
Why?
1. She happily, proudly wears a princess dress her aunt made for her that is emblazoned with Cinderella, Briar Rose and Belle. When asked which princess she likes best, she points to each in a row, then again, then again. She is not a girl to be pinned down to one ideal of femininity. Then she adds that she’s rather fond of Rapunzel too — Disney’s latest version. (A girl after my own heart, indeed.)
2. Rosella wears her princess dress into the creek behind the house, and traipses home without any notion that it’s covered with mud and rusty leaves.
3. She adores my ten-year-old son like a brother, a mentor, a playmate and a best friend. And he adores her right back.
4. She eats Parmesan cheese in giant chunks.
5. She pairs purple leggings with pink-and-orange-striped dresses and paisley skirts with polka-dot blouses. Her rainbow Build-A-Bear sparkles with lamé and sequins. Her world is full of color, life and joy.
6. She loves bubbles.
7. She sits barefoot on the kitchen counter eating potato chips.
Rosella’s awesome glasses
8. When the doctor said, “Time for glasses!” she picked out the thickest, purplest, swirliest frames in the store. She wears them with pride, panache and thorough unselfconsciousness.
When I grow up, I want to be just like her.
**
Me too!!!
Your turn, reader! Tell Katharine and me what one trait you’d like to borrow from a kid in your life, and one lucky commenter (US Only), will win a copy of Katharine’s How to Be a Proper Lady — one of Amazon’s best books of 2012!
February 27th, 2013 at 10:22 am
Oh, to be a little girl again, when I was free to be whatever I wanted to be! I’d love the trait I used to have when I was a very little girl: feeling no fear whatsoever of saying whatever I wanted. I was told long ago that it wasn’t “nice” and I’ve been shamed into it ever since. I miss that brash part of me that I felt never had the chance to flourish.
February 27th, 2013 at 10:32 am
The kid that came to my mind is actually now a young adult (19). She is my niece and has the most bubbly, happy personality. She has suffered for years with migraines and has epilepsy but she does not let them get her down. She bounces back after a migraine is is just the same funny, silly girl. She can cheer you up with her smile, dancing,singing, doing whatever it takes to make you smile :)
February 27th, 2013 at 10:41 am
I admire their sheer joy of discovery! They are excited to see new things.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:17 am
I admire my youngest son, Timmy (aged 7). His sense of wonder and awe are inspiring to me. He has an appreciation for those who serve their country and their community. He surprised the heck out of a soldier who was in our local supermarket in full field uniform. Tim went up to him and thanked him for serving his country. Needless to say,the soldier left the store with a smile on his face. He also once told his teacher that he thought of policemen, firefighters, doctors, and teachers as the “real” superheroes because they (and not Batman) actually help people. She told me that she was moved to tears that he thought she and her hubby (a police officer) as superheroes. Needless to say, I am proud of my little man!
February 27th, 2013 at 11:40 am
My three boys love to play sports, and they’re really good athletes. I have to force myself to exercise. :)
February 27th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
My cousins kids are always so happy and excited about everything. I would love to have that kind of enthusiasm again.
February 27th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
Well, I’d love to have the energy of my 4-year-old grandson! Maybe I could combine that with the imagination of my 4-year old granddaughter.
Thanks for visiting, Katharine. Gotta love a little girl who chooses purple glasses–mine are the same color.
February 27th, 2013 at 5:48 pm
I don’t have a specific child in mind, but I’d like to be as free and open as children. Many never met a stranger, while I’m much more reserved. I have to get to know someone before I can open up like that.
February 27th, 2013 at 6:56 pm
to embrace new things
February 27th, 2013 at 10:55 pm
I’d like to borrow my kid brother’s “Don’t care what anyone thinks about me” attitude!
February 28th, 2013 at 7:06 pm
The trait of wonder and awe. In innocence when everything is brand new it fills us with such wonder and joy. I wish I still had that. :)
Carol L.
February 28th, 2013 at 10:34 pm
Time to read! Kids have way too much free time on their hands. I want that!!!