I Started Young..

I was going through some things today and I found a book that was a 5th grade assignment. Mrs. Brown (my teacher) had us write a story and then had it bound for us. As a read through my book it is evident to me (as I'm sure it will be to you) that my "gift" goes back to at least the 5th grade. I must tell you before I proceed that it clearly states in the front cover that "this book cannot be written over without aurtors permission, copywrite date 1982" (all misspellings were left in place so you could get the full effect) so please don't try to reproduce what I'm sure, will one day become a classic. I should also tell you that starting at around the 4th grade I became very fond of poetry, especially "couplets." And now I give you:

WHAT IS PURPLE?

BY

DAWN GOSNELL (maiden name)

PURPLE IS THE PAINT TO PUT ON A WALL

PURPLE IS THE BRUISE THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FALL

PURPLE IS THE JAM TO PUT ON MY BREAD

PURPLE IS THE HAT TO PUT ON MY HEAD

PURPLE IS THE CRAB THAT SOMETIMES PINCHES ME

PURPLE IS THE GLASSES THAT CAN HELP YOU SEE

PURPLE IS THE BARRETTE WE PUT IN OUR HAIR

PURPLE IS THE VISOR TO KNOCK OFF THE GLARE

I know my friends, I know, pure genius. In the "About the Author" I go on the say that I enjoy reading, bike riding, fishing and camping. Partly true. The fishing and camping part, not so much. As with many things (drinking coffee, eating oatmeal on a cold morning, etc.) I like the idea of fishing and camping just not the act itself. Although I do have a funny fishing story that involves me and Jim on a falling apart boat in the Dominican Republic because I had wanted to catch a Marlin. Anyway, I guess I was trying to make myself sound well rounded. After writing this the question remains. Why didn't my mother enroll me in the School for the Arts?? The world may never know.

I have attached the photo from the back of my book. I'm not sure if it is clear enough but I was very stylish. I had a turtle neck (preview of things to come?) with stars all over it as well as ribbon barrettes in my hair. Those who grew up in the 80's remember those barrettes, I'm sure.