Bonnie P. is a longtime friend of my family, and especially of my sister Joanne. Her mother and mine were good friends, quilting buddies too. Bonnie and Joanne are close in age and were friends growing up. When Bonnie's mother passed away, Bonnie found some photos of my mama, me, and my sisters. I'd like to share a few.
I think Mama must have been about 19 or 20 here. Isn't she pretty? Look at those lips. I've always thought she bore a striking resemblance to the actress Gene Tierney, especially the hair and lips--and eyes and cheek bones. And even the nose a little. I bet if a Hollywood makeup artist got hold of Mama, she could have been Gene's double.
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But now in the photo above, Mama looks more like Myrna Loy, with that vampy pose we've got there. Don't you think?
I love Myrna Loy. Remember the movie "Since You Went Away"? No, you young girls wouldn't remember it unless you watch Turner Classic Movies. That's one of my favorite movies. I still cry uncontrollably when I watch it.
But come to think of it, that wasn't Myrna Loy--that was Claudette Colbert. Oh well, I liked her too.
No, Myrna Loy played Nora Charles in "The Thin Man" movies? (Again children, you won't remember unless you watch TCM.) Weren't Nick and Nora a hoot? Along with their dog Asta? Fox terrier, I believe. Boy, those Charleses could sure put away the booze though. That's the tipsy trio below. Actually, I'm not sure if Asta ever got tipsy, but his master and mistress surely did.
But I digress. I'm not sure who I look like in the picture below. And I don't know who gave me that haircut. I'm a little suspicious that I did it to myself. I know Mama made that dress, though. She made most of our clothes when we were little. I was about nine in the photo. I sure am glad my head grew to fit that mouth.
Next comes my baby sister, Ramey, the author of Sweet Music on Moonlight Ridge, which is now available on Amazon.com in trade paperback or Kindle editions (A little plug there.)
Ramey was about eight in this photo. I don't think she had started writing books yet. But she could already talk to possums. Don't you love her gingham dress, made by our Mama of course?
Last and best is a photo of our big sister Joanne (below). This is her senior portrait photo. She was 17 or 18 here. When Joanne first saw this picture, all she said was, "I look silly without my glasses." Well I don't think so. I think she looks beautiful.
Seeing Bonnie on Sunday made me remember visiting her mom's house when we were kids. Her dad had hung a big hammock between two big trees out beside the house. Ramey and I used to play on that thing for hours, pretending it was a stage coach or a rocket ship.
We visited Marie's house (Bonnie's mom) often with our mama because they were good friends and we lived close to them, within walking distance in fact. Mama and other ladies used to gather at Marie's for quilting bees. Oh what I wouldn't give for a photo of one of those events.
I have a vivid memory of one of the quilting bees. Marie's younger brother Ray had a pet flying squirrel. I guess Ray was living with Marie at the time because the flying squirrel was there. All the ladies were gathered around the quilting frame, set across kitchen chairs, just quilting away and chatting. Of a sudden there came a sharp squeal from the vicinity of the quilt. The little flying squirrel had snuggled up between the top and the backing in that warm cotton batting and was napping away until some quilter gave him a jab with her needle. They got the little fellow out, and he was none the worse for wear. But I bet he didn't nap in an in-progress quilt again.
Bonnie says she remembers the women gathering at her mom's house for ironing bees too. I don't remember these. I wish I did. Have any of you ever heard of women gathering to iron?
I hope you've enjoyed this visit with the Ramey gals. I have enjoyed sharing the photos with you.
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On 07/15/2010, Mary said ...
Oh, how lovely! Thank you for sharing your beautiful family and memories of the past. I am so glad you had and felt the love around you as a child. Family can be everything. Have a wonderful day. And, oh yes, I like your haircut. It looks great for the seasonal weather. Blessings
On 07/15/2010, Nicole said ...
Loved seeing these photos! The flying squirrel story sounds like an urban legend--how could that little thing get inside a quilt? Must not have been very well basted---lol
On 07/15/2010, Cam said ...
I have followed your blog for some time and have tried to comment frequently, but something always happens and I'm not able to.
I look forward to your blog and have laughed with you and cried with you. I'm trying again just to see if I can. If so, I'll try to comment.
I love the photos of you, your mama, and sisters. I also love all the actresses you mentioned.
Cam
On 07/15/2010, Barbara Anne said ...
What wonderful photos and memories!!!! I'm so glad that Bonnie found those pictures of your pretty mama so your family could have them back.
My mama made my clothes, too, but I look totally dorky in all of my elementary school photos. It was not the fault of the clothes either. Sigh!
Hope someone comes across a photo of the quilting and ironing bee gatherings!
Hugs!
On 07/15/2010, Debby Messner said ...
Beautiful ladies. Great stories. Love reliving childhood. It was so simple then, wasn't it. We played outdoors constantly, no video games or rooms full of plastic.
And it seemed to me that families never lived too far away. Thnaks for sharing.
On 07/15/2010, Ramey said ...
I love the Myrna Loy picture. Was Gene Tierney Peter Fonda's mother? I can't remember; I'll have to look that up.
Aren't we just the cutest things?
On 07/15/2010, Debra said ...
I certainly could have picked you out in that photo lineup!
On 07/15/2010, Pat said ...
Love the old photos; beautiful family. I enjoy reminiscing about the "old days." I haven't heard of ironing bees, but didn't women used to gather to can fruits and veggies?
On 07/16/2010, Lallee said ...
What wonderful photos. Your mother was beautiful! Great memories!
On 07/16/2010, Lesly said ...
how wonderful it must have been to get those photos! Your mother was a beautiful woman, and you stories about growing up are just lovely. I love the Thin Man movies - the repartee between Powell and Loy just crackles to this day. One of my favourites: He is reading the newspaper story about the break-in that happened the previous night Him: "It says here I was shot six times." Her: "I read you were shot TEN times in the tabloids." Him: "That's not true - he never came anywhere near my tabloids."
On 07/17/2010, Gretchen said ...
Beautiful photos and wonderful memories!! I love the flying squirrel story. The "Thin Man" movies are some of my all time favorites, especially the first one. I miss movies like that with rapid-fire witty dialogue. "It Happened One Night" with Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable is another all time favorite. Thanks for sharing your family history!
On 07/23/2010, Stephanie said ...
That's fun. I think your mama looked like Gwenyth Paltrow! I love Thin Man movies/shows. :-) You were and still are so cute!
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