While going through some old books, I came across this book that I’d read and saved from my childhood:
Illustration by Jon Nielsen
I can’t remember the plot of the book, but what I really like is this cover picture. My husband and I started to reimagine the story that went with it:
Donna Parker: Who are you? What are you doing here?
Intruder: I, uh, um….
Donna Parker: Wait a minute! What…? Are you…? Are you doing the DISHES?!!!!
Intruder: No! I…Of course not! I’m a man! Men don’t do dishes! I was, uh, fixing your blinds!
Donna Parker: Where are all the dishes I left when I stepped out?
Intruder: I don’t know! Someone else must have broken in before me and done them! You know, there have been a lot of these do-gooder break-ins lately. I’ll just be going now.
Donna Parker: You can’t fool me! You have DISHPAN HANDS! Have you been using my hand-softening dishsoap?!
Intruder: I TOLD you! I don’t wash dishes! I just used it to wash my hands. Is that a little old lady who needs help crossing the street? Gotta go! ‘Bye!
Donna Parker: Where did those flowers on the window-sill come from…???
Full disclosure: My husband washes dishes even more than I do, so I know men wash dishes. We thought our version made a pretty great mystery for Donna Parker, though. What do you think is going on in this picture?
Pattern and Branch 