When I am stressed (who, me?!) I tend towards comfort measures - herbal teas, grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for dinner and curling up with an old friend, namely a beloved book. I am currently revisiting the Adventures of Alice in Wonderland, an old volume that used to belong to my mother, somewhat tattered but lovely. Yes, I admit my choice was shamelessly influenced by the release of the movie starring Johnny Depp - let's take a moment to sigh - but it was, and still remains, one of my favorite stories. My grandmother had a vanity with a large beveled mirror, and I spent hours imaging what world might lie beyond the looking glass. Years ago I fell in love with the community created by Jan Karon, and looked forward to the small town adventures of Father Tim, Cynthia, Sadie and the other characters of Mitford, North Carolina. Other comfort authors have been Elizabeth Berg, Anne Tyler and Hilma Wolitzer but I've also turned to The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett and, of course, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott from my childhood. And yes, I still cry when Beth dies.
Grilled cheese, anyone?
I love Alice in Wonderland. A few years ago, I re-read it. It's such an easy read (unlike Little Women) that I found myself rushing through it. I had to keep slowing myself down so that I could savor Alice's adventures. If you haven't read Alice in Wonderland in a while (or ever) I strongly recommend it.
ReplyDelete