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~
Belladonna’s Flashlight 
I loved Ramona too! I hope you are enjoying being you now. 😊
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She was great and yes I definitely am 😍
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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!
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They were who they were and didn’t give a damn!!! Love that 💖
And yes the world definitely does 😍
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Oh, yes! Ramona! Wonderful books!
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Absolutely loved them Dawn 😍
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Wow! Great post! Interesting answer!
Thank’s for share dear Belladonna, have an amazing evening.
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Thank you Elvira!!! Have a great night💖
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Always a pleasure Belladonna.
You as well! 🙏💖
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Ramona was one of my favorites!! Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume were the best. Thanks for the memories.💕
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I loved them so much too! Judy Bloom was so good!
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Yesss💕🙌💕
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I read about Ramona’s adventures to both of my girls. They were enthralled with her. (and so was I..)
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That’s awesome that yyou did that! They are thee best books for kiddos.
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Yes!
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My kids loved Ramona, I loved Pippi! Brings back great memories. Hugs, C
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They were both so good!!! And they age so well, I bet if I secretly read them now, I would still like them. LOL
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Wonderful books! It’s been a while since I read them!
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They were so good! It seems like a lifetime ago. Well it kind of was. LOL
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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. 🤗
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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
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You are welcome, Belladonna! I share your discovery and sentiment, about life. 🤗
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Wish it will help you all being yourself and me being myself
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That’s all we need to be! Thank you so much for saying that.
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Nice
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Thank you
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Yeah she is sooo amazing I love her. Please follow me my site light up the sky
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Thank you!
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💖💖
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This is so sweet! I loved Ramona so much too.
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I know you did and I was so happy to see you reading her books 💖😍
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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.
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I agree! We should be taught that we don’t have to suppress anything! Sadly that’s not always the case
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