Here’s what Em bought yesterday, wrapped in the Sunday comics, and stashed in the back room.
The two-disc Special Edition of Howards End.
According to Mr. Tvini, she scanned the shelves and without hesitation, selected the 2002 remake of “The Four Feathers” and this. On her own, she quickly picked this as the better of the two. She’s very decisive. Also, Mr. Tvini says the reason she picked up “The Four Feathers” was that she misread it as “The Four Fathers” and had to look at it more closely to figure out what the heck that meant.
I LOVE Merchant Ivory dramas, and believe it or not, I’ve never seen Howards End. It’s been on my list forever, but somehow I’ve never gotten around to it. Also, I’m a sucker for special editions, and eagerly pore over every little extra that’s included. How did she know? Wouldn’t you expect a kid to pick “Elmo in Grouchland” or something? The girl’s uncanny.
She and Mr. Tvini are at the grocery store, where she is selecting a cake for me. When you are nine, all birthdays must have a cake. I predict another home run selection – there are no bad birthday cakes.
It’s my birthday today. I’m 40. Go me!
To celebrate, I’m giving a little of the birthday money coming my way to Donors Choose. It’s a good cause, and my daughter’s school has another proposal up. It’s for literacy materials. The teacher included a line that I have to say makes me smile. She’s requested two cassette players. “They’ll replace the two currently in use in my classroom, which were manufactured in the 1960s and are very large. It’s tough for my kids to lug them home on the bus each week.”
Can’t you picture some little 50 pound child struggling home, decked out like Edward R. Murrow on assignment? I may have to do another Jayne hat fundraiser.
If you find yourself with a few bucks burning a hole in your pocket and want to donate, here’s a link that will take you to the challenge. There’s also a “math wrap-ups for autism” proposal listed, which isn’t from my school but which is still worthy. Take your pick.
While I am the Nicest Lady on the Internet I will not be spending all my money on others. Have no fear, I will pick out something nice for myself. And I believe my daughter may have something for me as well. She and my husband went out yesterday and when they came back, my daughter came into the den, saying “DON’T LOOK DON’T LOOK!!” I turned away as she went into the back storage room and then came back out. I can’t be sure, but I suspect that may have had something to do with my birthday.
I’m off to go to brunch with my mom. I look like I peeled everything BUT my shoes off of a sleeping hobo, but it’s my birthday. I’m pretty sure I’m allowed.