A Goose Lane Morning

The children are gone for the morning, and it’s just as well … I don’t know what to do to keep them all out of my hair! The moment Jack’s cock crowed in the morn I sent them off with Piggy and that Horner boy, to buy broth, bread, pork, plums, and whatever else looks fresh at the Farmer’s Market.

It’s barely past nine and already I’ve been ‘round the mulberry bush a hundred times; washing, ironing, scrubbing, mending, sweeping and baking. Now if I can just ferret out whatever has taken up residence under the heel, I can say I’ve accomplished something.

I lean my face into the wash as it hangs drying on the line. Closing my eyes, I inhale deeply. For a moment, I forget that I gave it all up for this. The castle, the ladies in waiting, the cotillions, the hand-blown footwear… all for this. Who could have known that Solomon would pass away, leaving me here living his dream, in his shoe, raising his children, my own dreams far behind?

The solitude is overwhelming, sometimes. Old Maid Grundy, just living out her days in this beat-up shoe. Sure, the Pieman comes through and keeps me company for an hour or two, but it’s not like having a helpmate. I am so tired. But this is the life I chose, so I’ll just carry on, lonely as it is.

Somebody in the neighborhood must have a ladder. Those top laces need repair. Hmmm … Jack Nimble has one, but he’s in the hospital with that burn. I don’t want to bother his family at this difficult time. Mr. Dumpty for sure never climbs higher than a foot or so off the ground, with his fears. The Muffin Man?

Yes. I’ll go ask him, I decide, as I resolutely head up the path. Maybe if I’m lucky, he’ll even give me a muffin. They are reputedly the best to be had! Even if he can't help me out with the ladder, I do love a good muffin in the morning.



9 comments:

Bobby said...

I didn't see that coming when I started reading.

I like it.

Scarlet Hip said...

Very clever!

sweet trini said...

this made me want to say "yay!" and "whee!"
thank you.
walk good.

Carly said...

very fun... I like seeing a humorous piece for this sentence

FRITZ said...

I ALWAYS felt so sorry for that woman, living in a shoe, destitute and alone except all those children...Great story! I love retellings...

Bill said...

Nice and clever too. I wasn't sure where it was going at first then I realized who the character was ... delightful!

Ubermilf said...

AAAAAAARGH! I didn't read yours before I wrote mine. I swear!!!!

Mine isn't about nursery rhymes or the Old Woman that lived in the shoe, but...

You'll see.

I thought I was being original. Damn.

You are obviously a brilliant woman.

S said...

Thats funny! Happy Wednesday, Spinning girl!

Anonymous said...

amazing!