Journal #3 - Chapters 8-9 - Perspective: Ms. Maudie Atkinson

Maudie's Diary

Whoo, what a day. First thing in the mornin', I wake up to a cold rain! By cold rain, I wouldn't at all mean water. I would mean snow! Hasn't been this cold since the winter of 1985. Why, its so cold, I nearly froze to death! Almost everyone did. I also really hate the snow. It's just one of the worst weather conditions there is. For one thing, all of my azaleas will all freeze! I'm just fanatical about my gardening. I needed 'ta keep my azaleas warm with some burlap bags, else they get discomforted.

I'm just perplexed at how everyone else can enjoy this weather. Scout be sayin' it's beautiful, but I say bull. Beautiful my hind foot! However, I entrusted Scout with the job of coverin' my azaleas with them burlap bags. After all that business was done and done, Scout asked me such a strange question. She wanted to borrow snow! I hated snow, it could be isolated in hell from the rest of the wonderful weather for all I cared. I gave 'em my old peach basked and they hauled it off. What in the sam hill were they debating to do with that much snow? I found out soon enough.

A while later, I found my hat and hedge-clippers had disappeared! “Jem Finch, you devil, bring me back my hat, sir!”, I said. What kids, making such a crazy thing. I was impressed though, but didn't bother showing it. Quite a feat, building such a snowman with just that much snow. It stopped snowing in the afternoon, but it kept freezing cold. How was I supposed to sleep?! I started cooking a little meal before I slept, but I somehow dozed off. Before I knew it, the whole place was on fire.

How the heck did this happen?! This was the exact opposite of the weather, and it was blazing hot. Nearly burned this diary, but God saved it and I thank him greatly. It was really scary. I was as scared as a cat being chased by a bulldog. Fire all adjacent on all sides of me, I almost had no place to go. I barely made it out alive, and the men of the town started hauling out furniture. Atticus saved my favorite rocking chair, one of my most prized possessions. God bless that man, even though he may not be too good at other things, God bless him.

I nearly jumped when Mr. Avery fell. It was very startling, and he fell right into my shrubbery! How dare he, trample my gardens. I suppose there was no other alternative, however, because he wasn't able to get out any other way. Heck, he barely got out through the window. The Abbottsville truck started pumpin' water on the flames, dousing them out. My house burned down though, and I was a bit sad to part with it. Wasn't sad for long though, because this meant more yard room, and this also meant more azaleas! I love them azaleas.

I'll be having the best yard in Alabama in no time. I was a bit worried about the neighborhood though. It could have all gone up in flames. Avery is in no good condition, so I'll bake him one of my famous Lane cakes as fast as I can. Can't let old Crawford see me though, she's been after my recipe for years. No matter how hard she tries, I'll never give in. Scout 'n Jem's snowman had burned down to the ground, but I believe that they might be able to build it back to life. Being the kids they are, I know they could if they set their minds to it. They could do just about any darn thing if they set their minds to it.

Lastly, I heard Scout had a little visitor last night. She didn't even know that he was there. Being the nice guy he was, he kept Scout warm with his blanket. What a good soul, I knew he wasn't all bad. Still, odd that he would come out at all. I'm sure one day him and Scout will be good acquaintances, maybe even something more... Oh, who is this man, you ask? Dear diary, it is the one and only Boo Radley.

~Maudie