The Miami Herald

"I have always believed that the books of youth stay with us in a unique way. The fairy tales, nursery rhymes and novels we read when we're young become part of our DNA. Perhaps that is why I was led back to Fahrenheit 451 after 9/11. It was a brilliant remedy for restoring my faith. In returning to Bradbury territory, I was reminded of just how important books are. Stories are our personal history. In the end, they're all we have. Soon after, I began writing my own post-apocalyptic fairy tale — the tale of a girl who loses everything, yet comes back to life when she begins to tell her own story, just as I had. " Alice Hoffman

Weekend was mad kid crazy and I became a Saturday morning girl, have a new-found crush on an EP, and was like I have never been before. Took my car everywhere. And brunch was the most fun I've had in awhile. Le Peaux came to Church again Sunday, and I sat at the back with all the nannies and a scatter of parents whose kids couldn't be alone. And it was sometime in between sprinting down the Church halls to pee (didn't want her to turn around and not see me there as I'd promised I'd be for the entire session) that I realised having a child does not allow for any napping whatsoever. She came over later to play video games with Smart, after Christian book-shopping with her Dad and I. We shared a sandwich followed with a Java Chip and Mint Choc scoop, oh and a lollipop before she went completely bonkers at my house. I can't remember being 7 years old really, but it sure seems fun. Other than the perpetual running around, talking and endless antics; the handful is definitely worth it. And she's not even mine. Eve Lom arrives tomorrow morning and I'm so excited I can hardly keep it together this afternoon. She may be returning home with a broken heart, which I will do everything with my small powers to heal. She is my baby sister after all, and what I hate most is when she's hurting and doesn't or can't talk about it. It's 9pm and we're wrapping up soon I imagine. Our goal is to finish by Thursday because we have a mad-packed weekend coming up and we have changed priorities around considering we have waited all year (it seems) for this party.