Voices

I really don't need to be blogging right now. In all honesty, I need to get up and wash some laundry. I really would like to have my house clean so that I can have a weekend that is NOT filled with catch-up cleaning. Unfortunately, I'm currently being accosted by a rather annoying headache. So, while I'm waiting on that "fast-acting Aleve" to kick in, I'm chilling out on the couch glued to my heating pad.

*Random Thought: I really wish I had a curtain for my kitchen window.*

As I was driving home the other day, I was thinking about children I know who have rather horrific (and by horrific, I do mean sensational) accents. I thought about how they made me smile.
Which lead me to think about "voices." I have always enjoyed trying out different voices. It was something that my sister and I have enjoyed playing around with. Honestly, with some voices, we can be quite good. Others, not so much - but hey, it's always good for a laugh.
*Once, my sister thought that it would be great fun to walk around WalMart speaking in a Scottish accent. She was pretty good! People did quite a few double takes. It was hilarious.*
Our love of "voices" actually is something of my Mother's doing. Every night, Ma would read to us. (do you remember those golden something-or-other books?) When she read, it was never dull and boring. She wasn't the best at voices, but she didn't let that stop her! She would constantly change her voice. We would laugh... and tell her she sounded silly.
Ma was in the hospital for surgery when I was 5 or 6, putting Katie around 4. While she was in the hospital, Daddy took over. It was an interesting couple of days. I can still hear my sister asking Daddy to read a book ("Bambi" - she loved that book.) He hadn't gotten more than a couple sentences in when she pulled her thumb out of her mouth and interrupted him mid sentence to blatantly tell him: "No Daddy, you're doing it wrong! That's not how Momma does it. Momma uses voices. *sticks thumb back in mouth* Do the funny voice." (My sister was nothing, if not a character.)
Over the years, I've read to many children - and I've always used "voices." Yes, to the adults in the room, I sound silly (and to some children.) But I have found that voices are always appreciated. It's like a smile, it will make your audience and you a little happier. Next time you read (or maybe just speak in general), read with voices... (no matter how ridiculous you think you sound) I promise, you'll smile at least a little.

And while you're at it, make co-ordinating faces and gestures.

I dare you.