Picture it Sicily 1976!
Okay, maybe not Sicily, but definitely 1976. So here I am, young Belladonna with a wild side that loved basketball, track, dance, and theatre. I was very expressive and had a personality that many seemed to love, just not those who should’ve loved it.
I was alone a lot, so I read a lot. At a young age, I became lost in the pages of The Beverly Cleary. I absolutely, positively LOVED Romona. She was something else, and I would find myself wishing I had someone that allowed me to be.
I hated being told I was acting fast when I was just being silly
I hated having my active imagination suppressed
I hated being held from my love of dance
I hated being kept from my love of theatre
I hated being alone
I hated
I
I just wanted to be me but couldn’t, so I enjoyed reading about Romona.

You could have chosen any blog to read, but you chose mine, and I’m honored!
~Belladonna~
I loved Ramona too! I hope you are enjoying being you now. 😊
She was great and yes I definitely am 😍
Beverly Cleary was among my favorite authors as a kid too—Ramona and Pippi Longstocking were my fave charaters! They both were fierce independent and belonged 100% to themselves—traits I still admire to this day. Keep on being a spitfire—the world needs more of us!
They were who they were and didn’t give a damn!!! Love that 💖
And yes the world definitely does 😍
Oh, yes! Ramona! Wonderful books!
Absolutely loved them Dawn 😍
Wow! Great post! Interesting answer!
Thank’s for share dear Belladonna, have an amazing evening.
Thank you Elvira!!! Have a great night💖
Always a pleasure Belladonna.
You as well! 🙏💖
Ramona was one of my favorites!! Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume were the best. Thanks for the memories.💕
I loved them so much too! Judy Bloom was so good!
Yesss💕🙌💕
I read about Ramona’s adventures to both of my girls. They were enthralled with her. (and so was I..)
That’s awesome that yyou did that! They are thee best books for kiddos.
Yes!
My kids loved Ramona, I loved Pippi! Brings back great memories. Hugs, C
They were both so good!!! And they age so well, I bet if I secretly read them now, I would still like them. LOL
Wonderful books! It’s been a while since I read them!
They were so good! It seems like a lifetime ago. Well it kind of was. LOL
Beverly Cleary… Ramona. Haven’t thought about those books in a long while. 😊 Made me think of Pippi Longstocking. Loved that character too! Books offered a sanctuary for young me too. 📚💗 BTW you are STILL expressive and have a personality that many do love! As for those who didn’t but should have… it seems some people do not know how to love others because they don’t love themselves. 😞 A sweet share, Belladonna. 🤗
Thank you Michele!! As I look back at my childhood, I’m finally thankful. I’m better for it!
I loved Pippi too. Such great memories
You are welcome, Belladonna! I share your discovery and sentiment, about life. 🤗
Wish it will help you all being yourself and me being myself
That’s all we need to be! Thank you so much for saying that.
Nice
Thank you
Yeah she is sooo amazing I love her. Please follow me my site light up the sky
Thank you!
💖💖
This is so sweet! I loved Ramona so much too.
I know you did and I was so happy to see you reading her books 💖😍
This post is relatable! I have such an imagination as a child and I wanted to do it all. I had so much love for creativity. It’s sad that we have to suppress those thoughts because of people in society.
I agree! We should be taught that we don’t have to suppress anything! Sadly that’s not always the case