“Little Red Riding Hood was my first love. I felt that if I could have married Little Red Riding Hood, I should have known perfect bliss.” – Charles Dickens.
What in the dickens was Charles Dickens thinking? Sorry, but I couldn’t help that one. I can only conjecture that he felt this way because she was adventurous, fearless and had a dreamy red cape. He most certainly overlooked the fact that LRRH was gullible, didn’t follow instructions and was supremely naive to the dangers in the real world. Or perhaps she brought out his inner wolf. Yeah, I could definitely see the attraction!
I’ve been rethinking fairy tales lately. What influences they have had on me, and why I find them so appealing. I even took a virtual one evening class on “American Fairy Tales” through Smithsonian Associates which was very informative…all about how the British brought Fairy Tales with them when they came to America and how they metamorphized into more watered down, child friendly tales. The professors talked about Jack Tales from the Appalachia (Jack and the Beanstalk) and African American tales such as Brer Rabbit. The class also discussed the role of Walt Disney and his contribution to the fairy tale genre in our country. Did you know that Snow White was a Great Depression era heroine whose optimism and resourcefulness was symbolic of hope?!
I loved those scary, weird stories when I was growing up. I had a Grimm’s collection with eerie pictures. At once frightened and fascinated with these gruesome tales, I certainly learned at an early age to be careful of strangers, not to venture too far without parental permission, and that goodness usually prevails. With settings evocative of castles, forests, strange flora and fauna and psycho witches, a shy little girl in West Los Angeles could certainly be transported to lands far away and a whole lot more interesting. Those settings still appeal to me because they are historical, mysterious and magical. It always seems to come back to magic for me. Or perhaps escapism?
The paseo near my home…hence Paseo Press. Where I go to escape and get in touch with my inner Little Red Riding Hood. La, la, la….
I still love to escape. Living in the suburbs of Los Angeles is a curse and a blessing. It can be boring and lackluster…but as a glass half full kind of gal, I have also seen it as a safe place to raise my children and walk along my beloved paseos. Because I am only a car ride away from more exciting, vibrant spots like Downtown LA, numerous quirky beach towns, and even my childhood West LA, I don’t mind inhabiting my small, suburban home. As long as I know I can escape to interesting places through travel, through reading, through a good Netflix show, then I’m okay. Oh, and writing is a BIG form of escapism for me, if you haven’t already guessed.
Spring is the Fairy Tale season, in my opinion. It is part frosty, part sunny. A little rain shower might show up in California if we’re lucky. When it does, the hillsides actually turn an Irish green! Flowers in vibrant colors appear out of nowhere. Trees that had been dormant for months suddenly take on a whole new dimension and seem to whisper “Wake up!” to us. Spring is full of buds, shoots, surprises and mysteries. And of course, we have the birds twittering away and creating baby birds. New beginnings are emerging out of the dark recesses of our internal forests.
Spring also brings with it unlimited potential. I don’t know about you, but this Spring especially feels liberating as our mask mandates are easing up for the first time in TWO years. I feel a little like LRRH, trapesing along hoping for the best and feeling blindly optimistic despite the treacherous woods we are foraging through in the world. A pandemic is easing up, but the Ukraine is under siege. Good and bad are battling just as innocence and evil wage war. What will happen around the corner?
At our humble home, however, we recently had to repair two fallen roof tiles. We have a major planting project on the docket after having to remove two trees last year. TWO trees! (I’m starting to see a “two” pattern emerging.) I was so sad about the trees that had given our home shade. But Kevin, the creative force of our garden, is planning a butterfly/insect area where the trees once stood. I can’t wait to be surrounded by butterflies, bees and birds buzzing, humming and pollenating with glee.
In line with that, we have an expectant hummingbird mama right outside our kitchen window. Nothing is more Springlike than a mama bird waiting patiently for her young to fly the coup. I am amazed at how she sits on the nest for hours. Instinct is so powerful! Soon I will see her feeding them by literally shoving food down their throats. Then I will have to clean our window everyday because as the hatchlings eat and grow, so does their poop, lol. The joys of nature!
Our mama bird.
As Spring approaches I feel the urge to fluff up my own nest. Clean and scrub the cabinets, clear out the winter cobwebs, and commune with nature. My cat litter boxes are scratched up so I will need to replace one or two of them. I need to cut back on overgrown weeds in the garden, and light candles. I also want to read more poetry (escapism!) and spend more time at a local coffeehouse journaling and getting inspired. Spring is about taking stock. Spring is about projects. Spring is about potential. Spring cleaning is when we hone in and focus on the delicate details that make our homes the soft, safe spots we want to sink into. Having a beautiful home is like achieving your own “happily ever after.”
What projects and Spring cleaning are you planning this year? Any favorite rituals or routines that you adhere to celebrate and/or get you ready for the season? Wishing you a Fairy Tale Spring full of flowers, rainbows and Unicorns.
JUST BEWARE OF WITCHES, EVIL STEP MOTHERS AND HUNGRY WOLVES THAT WILL POUNCE ON YOU AND EAT YOU UP! Just saying.
Me in a nightmare.
Cheryl Thatt-Burbank 