A Southern Belle with Northern Roots/Junkflirt: December 2009

Sunday, December 20, 2009

No Pictures Please

Well it is Christmas and all the cards and letters and photos are arriving.

With one noticeable absence, photos of the over 40 group.

Self included.

I have heard some of us say "who would want a picture of us?"

Remember when we were young.

All pictures were great, the worst had bad hair or a goofy grin, some had the terrible eyes closed look.

That is about as bad as it got.

I grew up and started to take photos of my own kids, friends, birthday parties, etc.

One day I realized, there are no pictures of me any more.

Then it happens,

someone actually takes one.

I now know why there are fewer and fewer photos of me, and it's a good thing.

First someone else's face has replaced mine....

Crow's feet???? more like buffalo tracks.

and what is that hanging from my chin?

My neck looks more like a Char Pei and my eyelids are now where my cheeks used to be.

So, I'll turn for a profile pic, have the camera man step back, from far away, that will be better.

Pfft, looks like a tepee, Just gettin' wider all the way down.

However if I turn a little to the right I can get rid of a little of the ever attractive back fat.

And for heaven's sake, NEVER take a photo in a short sleeve shirt, one good gust of wind and my arms look like the Nina and Pinta have both raised the sails on the high seas.

Some time ago

the goofy smile was replaced by a scowl

and the closed eyes by the over the bifocal glance.

The bad hair... that stayed.

So no one takes my picture anymore, and when you get my Christmas card and find I am not on it, you will know it's a good thing. Merry Christmas.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Christmas Stockings

My Grandma Irene made all her grand kids Christmas stockings, they were felt with layers of cut pieces, beads and sequins. Reindeer, Santas, elves etc.

She sat for hours cutting and sewing by hand. I used to love to look at the little beads and watch the light sparkle on them. They were so fine and she had to use a very small needle to thread them, every stitch had to be just right or she redid it.

We didn't have a fireplace, (always a great concern for me during the holidays), so we hung our stockings on the wall.

Mine and moms.

Every year, about 3 or 4 days before Christmas, mom and I would be out and about somewhere and would come home to find my stocking bulging!
And it wasn't even Christmas! I would dump it out on the couch and find candy, nuts, an apple and an orange.

Tradition.

Year after year, I always wondered what was going on. I suspected something, but, mom was with me and the doors were locked. hmmm

I often spent the night with my grandma and grandpa. Usually I would take a bath, get in my pajamas, grandma would iron and grandpa and I would watch tv. He always went to bed before I did.

Now and then Grandpa (Leo) would pull a shenanigan. Once he took a bath and came hollerin' down the hallway, hobbling with a bloody toe. (iodine) He said the tub drain got his toe.

I was scared of that drain for months.

Every time I stayed there, we always had a plate of slice apples and oranges. Always. Something I never ate at home but it was always a special treat at their house. It became a tradition.

I'm not sure when I made the connection, probably when Santa didn't come any longer and the stocking still got filled. Grandpa snuck in at the prearranged time and filled my sock, made by grandma.

I can see him smiling the whole time.

A missed tradition

Blue Fur Coat

This is how I remember it.

Somewhere around the age of 6 or 7 I had a blue fake fur coat. I think my aunt bought it for me.

It came just to the waist, not really warm enough for the heart of winter in North Dakota, so it didn't get worn too often.

Oh it had style though.

About a year after I got it, I outgrew it. Someone suggested I should... pass it on.

WHAT?!

Deep down I knew I couldn't wear it any longer but give it away?

Would the new owner know how important this coat was to me?

Would she appreciate it?

I also remember around that same time someone saying the phrase, "you get back 10 times what you give." I don't know what it was in regards to but, it ran through my head that if I gave my coat.... it might be worth it.

So I handed over the coat.

I second guessed that decision a few times until....

months later when Christmas came.

Santa was coming and I was very excited. I spent the night sneaking down the stairs, peeking over the railing, peering into the darkness to see if anything was going on. Once I thought I saw shapes but I dared investigate no further.

I don't remember sleeping but I must have because when I awoke and ran down the stairs in the morning light, what to my wondering eyes should appear?

An olive green kitchen set!

Made of metal, just the right height for a little girl, complete with egg tray in the fridge, a sprayer on the sink and pots on the stove. OH MY! I was in love

and it hit me.......

10 times more! yes, it was worth it, I gave up my blue coat and look what I got in return.

I had that kitchen set for years, they were eventually passed on to my cousin.

The way I see it now.

The coat probably wasn't beautiful, it was after all blue fake fur, but I did love it. I guess it was in style, along with plaid pants and ruffled shirts.

You don't give with the expectation of receiving. What a selfish attitude.You give out of love and gratitude.
Children hear with different ears, you never know what is going on in those little heads!

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