Maxwell Tong (Marcy's son) stopped by with his mother today and read some books to his Cousin Emily (Missy's daughter).Earlier today, Maxwell lined up with the family yardstick (Kathleen, 5 foot, nada) and proudly announced he is now taller than his grandmother.
According to childhood chum M'liss Switzer, this is a long-time Neilson tradition. The kids in the old St. Paul neighborhood would line up back-to-back against Kathleen's 4' 11" mother to check their progress toward maturity, thrilled when they were finally taller than an actual adult.
====Shel Silverstein grew up during Stan and Kathleen's era, but his books haven't waned in popularity. Where the Sidewalk Ends was published in 1974.
While he had a fantastic imagination, he was nonetheless a realist and a truth-teller and a believer in honest work. Stan loves this about him. A favorite:
MAGIC
Eddie touched a troll,
Laurie danced with witches once,
Charlie found some goblins' gold.
Donald heard a mermaid sing,
Susy spied an elf,
But all the magic I have known
I've had to make myself.
