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THE ROAD AWAY FROM HOME ALWAYS SEEMS TO LEAD BACK TO OUR MOTHERSI am not, nor will I ever be, the kind of woman who wears pearls with her apron while cooking meat loaf for her husband. But when I was a kid, my mother, Babs, prepared me to be the next June Cleaver-teaching me lessons that belonged to another era. Another world, practically. My mother's world. I couldn't wait to leave home and get away from her. But now, well-let's just say life hasn't turned out quite as I'd planned. And heaven help me, I'm going home.Laney Hoffman-Cotton Queen, 1975It's funny-all I ever wanted was to teach my daughter, Laney, how to be a lady so she could find a good husband and take her rightful place in our community. But Laney has always remained convinced that my life and my ideas are, well, pathetic. She has no idea-no idea!-what it is to lose a husband, to watch your dreams wither while keeping a smile on your face for the neighbors. Now, that is a talent. Laney is probably too smart for her own good, but being smart hasn't kept her out of trouble. Thank heavens I'm here to help pick up the pieces.Babs Hoffman-Cotton Queen First Runner-Up, 1956