All About Me

I learned to love story in my grandmother’s lap. And then my two sisters came along and took over my space. First Jane with the red hair, then Gale in The Lap. I’m the oldest standing behind the woman I adored. Ethel Jane Matthews, my world’s most amazing raconteur. She read to me from Golden Books and and anthologies, but mostly she recited tales and original adventure stories. She encouraged me to memorize and recite poetry, to tell my own tales with focus and expression. She was also an accomplished southern country cook who never used a recipe. Her biscuits were light as air, and she made the most delicious pineapple cake ever. Notice how we’re in front of a piano? None of us were accomplished musicians, but we all loved singing. In fact, on my third birthday, I sang to my cake!