If I Were a Book Character...

Have you ever read a book and realized that you were the main character? 

This should not be confused with imagining yourself as the main character.  If that were the case, I would currently be living on the island of Guernsey, married to Brady Stoner – the gravy-eating cowboy – and living next door to Dawsey and Juliet.

What I am talking about is reading a book and having so many similarities with the main character that it is almost ridiculous.  The book might as well have been written about you.  In fact, you double check the back cover to make sure you do not know the author in person.

I recently finished reading Cool Beans by Erynn Mangum, as a recommendation – and gift – from my mom.  And as I read, I got the overwhelming feeling that I was the main character, Maya Davis.

Here are some of the reasons why: 

1. We both love making lists.
2. We both love coffee.  Granted, I can’t drink caffeine, so coffee doesn’t happen all that often anymore.  But I am currently addicted to lemon-flavored Lipton’s Iced Tea, except that I drink it hot.  Hot iced tea.  I am not lost in the irony.
3. We watch and love the same movies and TV shows: Runaway Bride, While You Were Sleeping, Friends, Gilmore Girls.
4. We both love ice cream.  Oreo Blizzard, anyone?
5. We both order the same entrée at Panda Express.  Orange Chicken.  The only way to go.
6. We both, on occasion, eat chocolate for breakfast.  After all, chocolate is a vegetable: it comes from a bean, and beans are, without a doubt, vegetables. 

And on the list goes.

How is this possible?  I am still trying to figure it out.  In some ways, it makes reading easy because I know what to expect from Maya; she would do what I would do.  But it also gives me the heebie-jeebies.

As similarities abound and bewilderment lingers, I am off to read the second book in the series.  Let’s see what Maya has in store for us next…  

Old Guys and Pink Peppermints

...Because I was asked by someone to post a poem.  I am not one for writing poetry, and this one is from my sophomore year of college.  But the subject still holds a special place in my heart.

Old Guys and Pink Peppermints

-To My Guys in The Kings Men of Song-

“Step Into the Water”

“Canaan Land”

“Jesus Paid It All”

“Joy Comes in the Morning”

“Written in Red”

I grew up with songs like these

As I sat in a different church pew

Every Sunday night.

Because you see,

My mom was the pianist

For the King’s Men of Song.

I have listened to these men sing

As my mother played

Since I was a baby.

I was too little to sit alone

So I sat by my great aunt Ev

Who always brought me corn-candies.

I soon grew old enough

To sit up front by my Mom

And listen as those men sang their songs.

I grew up with these men singing,

And of course I was slightly spoiled,

Being a cute little girl in dresses and all.

There was Mr. Andy who always had pink peppermints,

And the man who gave me a ring from McDonalds.

And who could forget the time a guy taught me

To make it appear as though I could put a finger in my ear

And make it come out my mouth.

There were always those special concerts

Such as the ones on Lummi Island

In a little church by the sea,

And the guys all sang “Happy Birthday” to me.

Or that one in Friday Harbor

When my math homework confounded Mr. Don. 

Of course, there are those members

Who will always hold a special place in my heart:

Mr. Brent with his rainbow suspenders

And one of the sweetest smiles you will ever see.

Mr. Hank, the old director

Who hugged me so tight it almost hurt.

Mr. Don who still talks to me about math problems

And has already volunteered to sing at my wedding

Despite the fact that I’m not even engaged.

Mr. Andy whom I haven’t seen in years,

But I will never forget all those pink peppermints.

Then, there is my great uncle Chuck

Who passed away not too long ago.

But his cheerful disposition and warm hugs

Will never be forgotten.

And I can’t forget Mrs. Marcia,

Who obviously isn’t exactly one of the guys,

But her solos are breathtaking,

And I can still see her smiling at me

As she sings away with The King’s Men of Song.

I grew up with all these men,

And their beautiful songs that I will always hold dear.

Every time I hear them sing,

As my Mom plays the piano,

I simply can’t help but smile

Because I love these old guys,

All the memories they bring,

And those pink peppermints.