People continually ask me where I get such quirky characters for my books.  Actually, I tell them, the quirk is in my head, passed down from who knows how many generations of eccentrics.  Those who know me well learn not to question this truth.

Therefore, I am extremely gratified to see my grandson, Jack, aka Aniken Skywalker, exhibit signs of said eccentricity.  Last summer when he was 3 1/2, he said to me, his voice very firm, “Nana we need to have a talk.”  I knew I was in trouble for something.  He took me into my bedroom and pointed to my little round table full of knick knacks.  “What are these doing here???

Gulping, I said, “What are you talking about?”  Promptly, he held up a gray pebble, an inch-long piece of driftwood, and a small, razor sharp shell.

I informed him that they were things I got on a special vacation to a beach.  He replied,  “This belongs on a rock pile (the pebble), This belongs on the beach (the driftwood), and This belongs in the ocean! (the seashell).  Nana, this is very bad!  You are breaking Heavenly Father’s rules!

This at 3 1/2?  I feel full of the felicity Mr. Bennett (that wonderful character of Jane Austen’s) must have felt when entertained by the eccentricities of his friends, neighbors, and family.  De-pending on how long it takes me to get Alzheimer’s, I look forward to many years of enjoyment as Jack grows in the subtleties and nuances of his own particular brand of quirkiness.  (I swear, his parents are not runaway environmentalists!)  If only his great grandfather could have known him!  What fun they would have had!

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