September 14, 2002
-
I’m pleased with everyone’s reactions to my childhood pictures and the story of my beginning (beginning of my story…??). Several of the comments mentioned my parents and what good ones I had, how difficult their job must have been, etc. I know that I owe my loving nature, my freethought, and my very survival to them. However, they were not perfect parents. For one thing, both had been reared in the “Spare the rod, spoil the child,” mythos prevalent at the time. And then there were subtler forms of child abuse… 
My mother’s friend Audrey, mother of Donald and Leroy, my first playmates, should have had a girl. Then she would have had an outlet for these crocheted dresses. I had one to come home from the hospital in, and one every Easter until we moved away from San Jose.
This shot was taken in 1948, and the one below in 1949. Perhaps my opinion of the dresses shows in this picture. I think the worst part was the hat. Each one was stiff and scratchy, having been starched with sugar solution to hold its shape. Not only was it irritating to my tender skin, but it attracted ants.
I was tickled pink one easter when Mama took down the hat box from the top closet shelf and found it full of ants.
Audrey put months of work into each little dress, and my mother was thrilled with them. I was less than thrilled. Always most comfortable in pants, when I donned one of these monstrosities, I knew I’d be closely watched and continually cautioned to be ladylike. The openwork of the dresses tended to snag on any protruding object. It always seemed as if things jumped out to snag my dress. In this one, I recall that those furbelows at the bottom tickled my knees unendurably. And then there was the Easter church services… ‘nuf said.
Clothing was not the only way my mother found to torture me. Before I was old enough to forcefully assert my objections, she gave me several “permanent waves”–nasty, smelly, dangerous things whose milder modern cousins are called “perms”.
My superfine hair always frizzed and burnt with a perm, and it seemed like she just kept trying again, hoping finally to get it right. I hated the perms because of the way the damaged frizzy hair felt to the touch, and the way it looked.
Of course, I was far from a perfect child. My intentions were generally “good”, unless you count the two pairs of orthopedic shoes I buried in the yard and wouldn’t reveal their location. I hated the things, with one thick sole and one thin one, the stiff tops laced to above my ankles. Barefoot has always been my style. After I buried and “lost” the second pair, my parents gave up on the expensive shoes, thanks be to the sandbox.
This shot was taken on the day of one memorable early screwup of mine. Allowed to play with the garden hose on a hot day, I noticed that the white paint on the front of our house was besmirched with soot and grime from the polluted air of the industrial district just across the creek from our neighborhood. I decided to clean it up.
I found a rusty old coffee can, a dirty old rag, and started hosing down and wiping the front of the house. The effect was a smeary mess of swirly smudges from the foundation up to the extent of my reach.
Mama was in tears as she contemplated the job required to clean up my cleanup job. I remember my own horror as, first, I noticed that my efforts were making things worse, and then, my mother saw the mess. I clung to her skirt and sobbed that I was sorry. Then the crisis shifted from worrying about the grimy house to attempting to comfort Kathy. Perhaps that is where I learned that ploy….
Comments (21)
Okay, but those dresses are AWESOME (on a hanger).
My sister used to wear those dresses and love them…she never wanted to get dirty anyway.
I love using that ploy myself, and when my kids use it I am very gratefull: I’d rather feel loving and protective than irritated and angry.
…and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! (soon)
have fun at the resort! woo-hoo!
these pics you’re posting are so fun to see. i just love the one showing you covered in mud. that’s what being a kid is all about.
Enjoy your time away with Greyfox!
And keeping in mind that you can’t have too much fun… “Don’t have too much fun!”. *grin*
Ged
I really love your stories! You really have the gift of storytelling. It seems to be hard to find people who have that gift anymore.
oooo those dresses were made with so much love too bad they didnt feel lovely too hey?
Have fun on your weekend… enjoy the bubble bath!
Enjoy your time “away from it all”…
I love the pics too 
pssst… Happy BDay in advance, Lady
I hope it is a happy birthday for you! My maternal granny used to crochet little “footies” for everyone. She also did little decorational dolls and had to sugar-soak them? It made them stiff, so I can surely appreciate the stiffness of that hat upon your dainty little child’s head. Plus, grandma still has afgans covering the furniture, and everytime I take my kids over there their favorite pastime is to stick their little fingers into the holes of the cloth or get toy trucks stuck in those holes.
I rarely wear uncomfortable clothes…jeans and a sweater in winter, shorts and a t in summer…maybe that’s why I’m dreading the wedding we have to attend this evening…I’m such a frump these days. Spot
have a great time
I love seeing the pix, too. Just gives your wonderful stories even more flavor.
Hope you have a really wonderful time away.
Hope you have a wonderful birthday – enjoy your getaway.
I look at your pictures, and read your anecdotes, and wonder at the way I enjoy them so much. There must be a little magic in children
Have you subscribed to ZangaZine? It’s probably a stupid question, but if not – it would be a great way to spread out and share yourself - err, so to speak. *eep* – I’m not even sure anymore … did that just sound … you know, weird? LOL
You reminded me of two of my own childhood memories. The painful itching discomfort of pair of tweed coveralls (naturally mother loved them) and the number of times I’d left the house with shoes on my feet only to come home sans shoes with no clue as to their whereabouts. My mother still talks of it!
Have a wonderful and happy birthday!
I’m almost glad my mother or her friends could not sew.
They are beautiful dresses. All I gotta say is “awwwwww” on the cleaning house story.
You wee little thing!
You adorable wee little thing!
Still!
Heheheh …
Hey! *grin* Some snazzy pics you got there…sorta reminds me of my early life…*chuckle*I’m really enjoying the blogs, Susu! But as much as I enjoy them, I hope you have a GREAT BIRTHDAY!! Happy Birthday, and many happy returns! *HUGS* Enjoy your day and your hotel stay! Pax~Z
ah but at least you wanted to help
i have one old and vague memories of my mom yours may not have been perfect but it is obvious she did love you.
Belinda
Ugh! I vow never to inflict my crochet skills on anyone unwillingly …………….
I love your blog .This is a cool site and I
wanted to post a little note to tell you, good job! Best wishes!!!
Tacoma Roofers
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE
<w:latentstyles deflockedstate=”false” defunhidewhenused=”true”
defsemihidden=”true” defqformat=”false” defpriority=”99″
latentstylecount=”267″>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”0″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”Normal”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”9″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”heading 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”10″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”Title”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”11″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”Subtitle”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”22″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”Strong”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”20″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”Emphasis”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”59″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Table Grid”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”1″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”No Spacing”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”60″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light Shading”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”61″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light List”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”62″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light Grid”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”63″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Shading 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”64″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Shading 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”65″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium List 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”66″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium List 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”67″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”68″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”69″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”70″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Dark List”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”71″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful Shading”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”72″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful List”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”73″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful Grid”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”60″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light Shading Accent 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”61″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light List Accent 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”62″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light Grid Accent 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”63″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Shading 1 Accent 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”64″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Shading 2 Accent 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”65″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium List 1 Accent 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”34″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”List Paragraph”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”29″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”Quote”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”30″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”Intense Quote”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”66″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium List 2 Accent 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”67″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 1 Accent 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”68″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 2 Accent 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”69″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 3 Accent 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”70″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Dark List Accent 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”71″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful Shading Accent 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”72″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful List Accent 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”73″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful Grid Accent 1″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”60″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light Shading Accent 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”61″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light List Accent 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”62″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light Grid Accent 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”63″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Shading 1 Accent 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”64″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Shading 2 Accent 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”65″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium List 1 Accent 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”66″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium List 2 Accent 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”67″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 1 Accent 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”68″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 2 Accent 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”69″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 3 Accent 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”70″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Dark List Accent 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”71″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful Shading Accent 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”72″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful List Accent 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”73″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful Grid Accent 2″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”60″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light Shading Accent 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”61″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light List Accent 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”62″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light Grid Accent 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”63″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Shading 1 Accent 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”64″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Shading 2 Accent 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”65″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium List 1 Accent 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”66″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium List 2 Accent 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”67″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 1 Accent 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”68″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 2 Accent 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”69″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 3 Accent 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”70″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Dark List Accent 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”71″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful Shading Accent 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”72″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful List Accent 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”73″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful Grid Accent 3″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”60″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light Shading Accent 4″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”61″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light List Accent 4″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”62″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light Grid Accent 4″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”63″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Shading 1 Accent 4″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”64″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Shading 2 Accent 4″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”65″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium List 1 Accent 4″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”66″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium List 2 Accent 4″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”67″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 1 Accent 4″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”68″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 2 Accent 4″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”69″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 3 Accent 4″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”70″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Dark List Accent 4″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”71″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful Shading Accent 4″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”72″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful List Accent 4″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”73″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful Grid Accent 4″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”60″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light Shading Accent 5″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”61″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light List Accent 5″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”62″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light Grid Accent 5″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”63″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Shading 1 Accent 5″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”64″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Shading 2 Accent 5″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”65″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium List 1 Accent 5″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”66″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium List 2 Accent 5″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”67″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 1 Accent 5″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”68″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 2 Accent 5″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”69″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 3 Accent 5″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”70″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Dark List Accent 5″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”71″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful Shading Accent 5″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”72″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful List Accent 5″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”73″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful Grid Accent 5″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”60″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light Shading Accent 6″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”61″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light List Accent 6″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”62″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Light Grid Accent 6″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”63″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Shading 1 Accent 6″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”64″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Shading 2 Accent 6″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”65″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium List 1 Accent 6″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”66″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium List 2 Accent 6″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”67″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 1 Accent 6″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”68″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 2 Accent 6″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”69″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Medium Grid 3 Accent 6″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”70″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Dark List Accent 6″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”71″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful Shading Accent 6″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”72″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful List Accent 6″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”73″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” name=”Colorful Grid Accent 6″/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”19″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”Subtle Emphasis”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”21″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”Intense Emphasis”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”31″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”Subtle Reference”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”32″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”Intense Reference”/>
<w:lsdexception locked=”false” priority=”33″ semihidden=”false”
unhidewhenused=”false” qformat=”true” name=”Book Title”/>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:”";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:”Calibri”,”sans-serif”;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”;
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}