Saturday, May 11, 2013

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER





Joining in Beverly's PINK SATURDAY today:

The tea at Sweetpea’s school was marvelous and the program wonderful. And, in addition to the pink gloves, I even pulled out the LEATHER SANDALS, then went looking for a suitable hat to befit her expectations (none, actually---she just said "a dress") and of all---ALL the hats Chris has acquired over the years for photo props and GRANDS pictures---there were only FOUR accessible. TWO BLACK VELVET and ONE MINK, with an immense red-sequined number worthy of any street corner in San Francisco. None quite suitable, and I could SEE the big plastic box of the others in the FARRRRR corner of the storeroom, behind everything else we own.


So, I did what I do when we do make-believe anything---I improvised. Chris' summer straw, with a huge pink silk rose from last-Spring’s candle-ring and an enormous hatpin which holds up a curtain downstairs. Sweetpea's surprised, delighted face when I walked in, all gloved and hatted, was well worth all the probably-unbelieving looks I must have gotten from all the Moms in the room---Sweetpea's Mammaw and I were the oldest two at the party, and I could just imagine the thoughts running through the heads of all those beautiful young slim-jeans, high-booted women pushing strollers that cost more than my car.

They saw us---Mammaw in her seamed slacks and Teddy-bear sweatshirt and New Balance shoes and cane, and me in a cobbled-together hat--Chris' Summer straw with the tee-ninecy spot where an errant honeysuckle limb broke a straw and left a small vent, with the big old gold hatpin pierced through two flappy petals of a frowzy rose snatched off a centerpiece. 


 

 And though they didn’t give us that up-and-down dismissive Miss Grey glance toward the Dashwoods, there was probably just a wee bit of disbelief there.



Her Mammaw was any nice lady you see at Saturday flea markets, at flower and lawn shows, musing over cake mix in the Kroger aisle.  I, on the other hand, was probably received as one of those trying-too-hard-with-whatever-tattered-finery-I-had-left---one of the dear old biddies who refresh and re-pin and re-hem from season to season.   Neither the boozy élan of Blanche DuBois nor the genteel hose-darning of a Miss Bates, but quite a step above The Queen of the SilverDollar.

The grown-up guests probably had no idea it was just something we DO at home for dress-up, and not just a dotty old lady who should be wearing purple and might any moment start gobbling up shop-samples.




For some reason, I find that a hilarious, memorable moment that gives me a little glow. I don’t know if it’s that I’m not quite so stodgy as I thought I was becoming, or I’m approaching the age of, “Oh, GOSH!!!  I FORGOT!!!   Is THIS the day I’m supposed to CARE what YOU think?” 

Sweetpea saw every accessory---the flat-heeled shoes, the short pink gloves, the slightly-ridiculous hat---and beamed. She hand-grabbed me and took me around to all her classmates, introducing me to almost every one.  And several of them called me Ganjin before the party was over. 

A little a this, a little a that---quite satisfying, all round.  And you never have to explain silly if it's done for love of a child.





8 comments:

  1. Hurray for you. And hurray for lucky, lucky Sweetpea. Glad I found your post at Pink Saturday

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  2. Beautiful pinks! I love straw hats in a good sunny day and I guess you needed to be at Swettpea's program. There are gorgeous ones around here, hand made and all. Lol, you really must have surprised Swetpea with your attire, heheheheeeeee...Thank you for your sweet visit and have a lovely Mom's Day yourself.
    FABBY

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  3. Hi Rachel, You know this post made me smile ear to ear. Only you could write this adorable story in a way that is too precious to keep to yourself.

    Our plant sale for the garden club made the most money we have ever made and it didn't rain as threatened. We made almost $2,000. dollars. We are thrilled. I'm tired and sun burned but happy.

    So happy tea parties and straw hats with pink flowers. And...I can't forget the lovely pink gloves.

    Love, Jeanne

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  4. Oh, what a precious story, Rachel. I'm sure Sweetpea thought you were the most beautiful lady there, and I'd be willing to bet that the other little girls wished their mommies had dressed up for the party. What a blessed little girl Sweetpea is to have her sweet and loving Ganjin to share her world with.

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  5. Aw lovely story..or should a say a memory. Sweatpea is a luckly little girl! Hope all is well Miss Rachel. xx

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  6. Good morning Rachel, I came over to say hello because I have some time to 'just visit' my dear blog friends. We are staying home this summer and I am hoping I will have many more days to sit and play on my computer. Actually I have never played games because I am afraid I will get hooked. I would rather visit my sweet friends any day.

    Laundry going, bed unmade and dog toys everywhere. I am a happy blogger this morning. Maybe I should go to coffee central and have another cup of coffee. I think I will.

    Wishing you sunshine and happy days with Sweetpea and loved ones.
    Love, Jeanne

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  7. I loved this story..but then you knew that I would! Everyone needs a Rachel in their lives. I know I do!! This was just wonderful!

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  8. Here I am, playing catch-up again! I loved this story so much, my friend. Sweetpea know quality when she sees it. And she is learning to be a true lady at the perfect knees.

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