The story you have told me in your recent letter just tugs at my heart strings for I, too, have despaired over the self-made hero. There have been stunning moments when I have been driven to leap to the defense of the laid-low guests. Yes, Miss Blue, it is an exhausting time for all, delicious food prepared by Louise, pushed around on the elegant plates you so thoughtfully provided, food grown limp and cold, guests much too polite. That is the problem, Miss Blue. The awful politeness we are taught at our mother's knee. Didn't we all memorize this little ditty Politeness is to do and say, everything in the kindest way.  Now I must wind the cuckoo clock (the minute hand broke off some time ago and I have been eyeing the space between the hour hand and the invisible minute hand, and while being very tricky I will admit, without bragging, my accuracy has been profound). This is the true story, Miss Blue.

Signing Off,
Truthiness Pearl