I have done this recently at the house of Mrs Chili
when it was Off the rails; on the edge...
but I will profit from this opportunity to rewrite my memoirs and try and sound less unstable ...
Never dull; but what happened when?
just brain damaged by excess.
Inspired by Ms Mac and Meggie, who have shown us evocative old photos from time to time, I decided to stumble up to the attic, banging my head on the usual beam and through the stars and birds flying cartoon-like round my head I fell literally upon a box of treasure. Mmm I thought, be sparing, find just a couple of photos which are representative of an era. But it isn’t so easy is it? I opened the photo album and the memories jostled each other and poured out like commuters at Kings Cross during the rush hour.
My heart broke for the little girl standing next to her glamorous mother, feeling ugly and being told to smile…and refusing.
The shy teenager cuddling her poodle in the suburban garden, wearing her fashionable one piece swimming suit with the sponge bra cups that collapsed when anything pressed against them. Told to drink a pint of milk a day because she had “lucky legs” (lucky they didn’t snap because she was too thin!) And who persuaded her that wooden framed glasses were a good idea?
And the 14 year old with her gloves and handbag in the car park, looking about 104 years old.
How on earth did anyone survive a childhood in the fifties? No wonder we all embraced the sixties with such enthusiasm when it arrived.
I suppose this could transform itself into photo meme if I could bother to formulate the rules. Let’s leave it relaxed and informal then. Just let me know if you post some photos of your formative years …
Rather than tag anyone with the 6 word memoir, anyone who hasn't done one yet might wish to shock me and themselves with the summing up of their own lives in my comments. Go on you know you want to...
Posts
14 comments:
I have no photos of my formative years. My biological mother, if she followed through with her threat, has burned them all...
Really, that should tell one all one needs to know about Mrs. Chili's formative years, don't you think?
oh Mrs Chili, I am so sorry to hear that. We are all survivors when it comes down to it. I am sure that a lot of my torment was of my own making so all the more credit to you for emerging with such a shining spirit.
That sounds a bit like Keith Richards' memoir!
yes lesley, it was just as well that I did not have the same resources at my disposition as he did...or I could be competing with him on the wrinkle front. I am still a believer in living life to the full and grabbing every opportunity with both hands...but I have more trouble getting up out of my armchair to do it...
Laughing about the armchair bit!
I have some apalling pics from my formative years. Having a small petite mother whose figure was like a doll, I felt such a clumsy hephalump for most of my time from about 12.
A cousin sent me a hideous pic, taken from a film his mother had taken. I shudder every time I see it!
This is fantastic. It's almost like looking into my own photo album - the self-conscious little girl with the beautiful, glamorous mother.
Interesting meme because I have thought about doing something similar without knowing about the meme. Going to have to go through some old photos and see what I can come up with.
I love seeing these photos! Amazing how much changed from 50s to 60s to 70s - your captions are great too. I must dig out some old pictures...
Oh poor wee thing!
What a good idea, if I find any I'll try to post them. Not sure where they are though...
What a great idea for a post! It took me waaaaay back to those years, too! I always felt like a frump with a tall, dark, handsome father and a blone, blue-eyes beauty for a mother. But I think I've evolved into something rather human by now! lol I might just take you up on the idea and dig out some old photos to post. Stay tuned! lol
A group of us did a similar self-exposure exercise about four years ago and flushed out some particularly scary style crime pics. I'll have a rake around during my blog break.
I love old photos! Great post!!
first time here. love the photos. i also loved the fifties, myself. well-fed, secure, believing that all was well and when you grew up you got a house and money, or some such fantasy.
"Walking sideways in a straightforward world."
Autistic children and music . . . that's the field I'm planning on going into when I get out of grad school.
Are there any music therapists in your side of the world (wherever that might be)?
The kids who like percussion may be craving sensory stimulation . . . do you just play or do they play too? Have you heard of the concept of deep pressure/weighted vests? Is there only one of you?
Email me sometime. Lastcrazyhorn AT gmail DOT COM. I'm getting my masters in music therapy.
Post a Comment