On certain Saturdays her apartment was where lessons were held on how to be a lady. The finest of ladies -serves tea. Imaginary flavored tea, always after checkers, right before lunch. She was the finest of ladies. A fashionable lady -finds a reason to perpetually wear pearls, blue dresses, and fuzzy pink slippers -always keeps her hair swirled in aged angel white curls. She was a fashionable lady. A cultured lady -knows how to concoct elaborate dishes, like chocolate pudding mixed with whipped cream -reads literature like War and Peace and The Chubby Puppy. She was a cultured lady. The most elegant of ladies -sits with poise, grace, and composure chooses only a quilted guest room bed or rocking chair as a place to repose. -never speaks with anything but a soft voice, laughter, or love. She was the most elegant of ladies. A perfect lady -keeps everything in its rightful place. Fuzzy bee puppets, plastic beads, and paper towel flowers should be stored in black alligator boxes. -has a plan for every dire situation. Only jotted down prayers in a Pringles can will do. -knows how to care for children in the most great-grandmotherest of ways. She was a perfect lady. On special Saturdays, I learned lessons on how to be a lady. |