A Kindred Spirit

I've just found a woman after my own heart. I never would have thought I'd have anything in common with Maria von Trapp, but it turns out I do.

I'm reading an old copy of A Family on Wheels, a story of the Trapp Family Singers' travels and adventures. Maria describes what it was like packing up the bus to leave:

"As for Mother--my needs had long since been reduced to a modest minimum which I had carefully assembled in my room, and which Werner, Dave, Johannes, and two farm boys now managed, staggering, to carry downstairs for me. First came my "mops" [satchels] and suitcase, a large carton of books and a guitar; then a dictaphone in two parts (referred to as "Peter" and "Paul"); a typewriter, and a briefcase of correspondence. These were followed by an old-fashioned mechanical blender, nicknamed the "DC-3," because of its incredible grinding noises while converting carrots, spinach, parsley, peppers, celery, or tomatoes into the liquid vitamins and minerals indispensable to any trip. Next, understandably enough, came quite a few large paper bags filled with carrots, spinach, parsley, peppers, celery, and tomatoes. Last of all, there was my heart's treasure, the Dormiphone--a fine instrument designed to teach languages by gently playing language records in one's sleep. A clock turns it on, an earphone under the pillow does the rest--and in no time at all, one wakes up talking French fluently."

Quote of the Day:
"Mom is so proud of herself for having only one suitcase but then she has like FIVE purses!"
--Amy, on one of our girls-only cross-country trips