Page 32 of Positively, Penelope

Alice in Wonderlandwas a hit, of course. Well, I think the tea party was more of a hit than the movie, though Iris fell in love with the Cheshire cat more quickly than she ought. She’s much weaker to the magic of pink than I am. But she also adores cats, so the combination of the two was like kryptonite to her heart.

We happened to have “The Unbirthday Song” on while dancing around the table when Matt showed up with his eyebrows at full furrow. Not to worry! His brows acquiesced to the adorableness of his daughter, and before I could even wrap my mind around it, he’d taken up his own teacup and joined us in the silliness. Sort of. His dancing consisted of giving Iris a few twirls, and then he twirled me once or twice. It took my breath away for a moment. I suppose it’s been a while since I’ve had a good twirl. Clearly, I’m wearing the wrong skirts.

BTW, Matt is a very good twirler. Definitely a plus for Iris’s twirling future. (As you all know, Dad never could get a twirl right. I’m so glad Luke learned how to twirl a girl much better than Dad.) I’m guessing Matt’s date must have gone VERY well. I always felt like twirling after a good date. It was nice to see him look... happy. Have you ever noticed how eyebrows can change an entire expression?

Anyway, he didn’t mention his date, though I made some very carefully placed statements like “Dinner must have been nice,” and “You seem to be in a great mood. Good evening?” He didn’t seem to catch my hints, but he did enjoy my cucumber sandwiches and chocolate éclairs. They’re so easy to make, it seemed silly not to add a batch to our tea party.

Anyway, the community theater troupe rehearsals are getting off to a great start. Oh, I love a busy stage! Even if I’m not acting, it’s a delight to watch a story come to life! But let me just say, they’d make much more money if they opened up the second stage. They could run two shows at once, or at least in close succession! Gwynn agrees with me. We had a video chat about it this morning, so I think I’m going to have to use my sweet talk to convince Alec and Matt what a brilliant idea it is. Though I imagine Alec would be all for it, since it will easily bring in more income.

Have I told you the first musical the theater is performing this season??!! You will never believe it! Are you ready for this?

MY FAIR LADY!!!!

I am having a Queen Esther moment! Do you see it? I just finished being Flower Girl #1 in our university’s production ofMy Fair Lady, and now? NOW I get to help a community theater bring this production to life?!? The hats!!!

Penelope

PS: Thanks for the video call, Izzy. You helped assuage some of my concern related to the graphics-stealing debacle. You’re probably right. Just coincidence.

PPS: I was so glad I had my Mary Poppins bag with me because no one was prepared with bandages. Did you know they’recalledplastersover here? Plasters instead of bandages. Isn’t that the cutest thing ever?

PPPS: Do you realize who played the original role of Eliza Doolittle on Broadway? (I’ll wait for your answer. No googling!)

From: Luke Edgewood

To: Izzy Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood

Date: September13

Subject: Re: Curiouser and curiouser

Please NEVER EVER type the words “Luke” and “twirl” in the same sentence ever again. Ever. Again.

PS: The doorknob is my favorite character inAlice in Wonderland.

From: Izzy Edgewood

To: Penelope Edgewood, Luke Edgewood

Date: September13

Subject: Re: Curiouser and curiouser

Penelope,

I’m so excited for you. I know you’ll be such a great addition to the community theater and production. It’s no wonder Mrs.Crenshaw wants you as a director for her theater. You really do have such a gift with people and visualizing things. It’s always made me marvel. The idea of getting up on a stage to talk, let alone dance or sing, nearly makes me weak, but you really have a presence.

I think opening back up the smaller stage is a great idea and something that would be cost-effective. The stage is alreadythere, even if it needs to have all the storage removed. Throw one of those theater-kid parties you used to have at home and get them to help you prepare the stage. Teens and young adults always come out for food. Who am I kidding? We live in the South. There’s NO age limit to people responding to food. That’s why all those paintings of the marriage supper of the Lamb from the book of Revelation look like a giant potluck. Potlucks are eternal.

Izzy

PS: I loved brainstorming with you. I’m always available, except when I’m not. Or asleep.

PPS: Julie Andrews, of course. And I didn’t use Google. I used to live with you. There was no escape from Julie Andrews. Or Audrey Hepburn. I think you’re the only person I know (or may ever know) who actually had full-sized posters of Julie Andrews and Audrey Hepburn in the same photo. Full sized.

From: Penelope Edgewood

To: Izzy Edgewood, Luke Edgewood

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