Mekhai, the stick woman

My niece, who I jokingly (and silently) call “Mekhai, the stick woman” is visiting us. Her grandmother Carol and I are roomies, so I get the benefit of Mekhai’s company occasionally. She possesses everything a writer needs—as do most children: She has focus (She watched her favorite “Sky Dancers” video over and over…Ask Carol); She perseveres (I hear her grandmother say “No, no. Stop Mekhai” more times than I can count); which brings me also to the fact that she doesn’t accept “No” as an answer when she really, really, really—well, you get the picture—wants something. And don’t get me started on why every writer needs to carry a stick.