I think this is the third time I've used this photo, but I actually have a story that works perfectly with it. No, the child on the right in the white dress isn't a girl, nor is it pro golfer John Daly -- it's my great-uncle Art, my grandmother's little brother. They were fine playmates for each other, most of the time, in a world without play dates, or organized soccer, or dance class, or Big Brothers/Big Sisters, or even electricity. Most of the time they played nicely, but Esther (Mormor -- for the introductory story click here) had a wicked streak, apparently. Here is another story -- a short one -- in Mormor's own words.
As my brother, Art, grew out of babyhood he became a bit more of a playmate for me. One day I finally persuaded him to play "Lady" with me, so I dressed both of us in long dresses, ladies shoes, and hats. We set up part of the side porch as our house, complete with orange crate furniture. What Art didn't realize is that it was nearly noon so Dad and the hired men would be coming to the back porch to wash up before dinner. I thought it would be funny if they saw Art in all his finery so I asked him to go around to the back porch for something. He did and ran straight into all the men, who roared with laughter at Art's appearance. Guess who ripped off the dress and never, never would play "Lady" again?
Poor Arty.
It's UNCANNY how similar that photo of your grandmother and the photo of you (in the upper left) is.
WOW!
Posted by: mommypie | September 10, 2008 at 11:32 PM
I love the photo. I hardly know a thing about my family history farther than my grandparents, other than basics. There are no journals that I can find. Wonderful pieces of history. I love the stories.
Posted by: Alias Liz | September 09, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Poor Art. I think that is one of my favorite photos. In the whole world.
Posted by: Mental P Mama | September 09, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Esther is a woman after my own heart.
Posted by: Chesapeake Bay Woman | September 09, 2008 at 06:42 AM
Big sisters are all alike.
Posted by: Rick's Cafe | September 09, 2008 at 06:16 AM
That's wicked hilarious!
More Mormor...was better waking up to this, than an a hot cup of coffee, because alas, I've just discovered that the upstairs DVD player, the (almost brand new) dryer, and now the coffee maker were all victim's of Hanna's as rolled through town Saturday night.
Pffffft!
Posted by: Auds | September 09, 2008 at 03:56 AM
oh mormor. a wicked girl after my own heart.
Posted by: sher | September 09, 2008 at 02:42 AM