Round two

This post is long overdue. And it's not just because I'm blogging so little these days.

It has been well over a year since I promised to return someday with more photos of the golden girls lining the hallways of my workplace: a very old, all-girls, private high school. There are so many stories there, I can only theorize on a handful. As always, hit my Flickr to see more photos from this batch..



In the years 1910 and 1911, a bow fad seems to have overtaken the school. And a sort of "wings" fad with the hair. A predecessor to Farrah? Or Princess Leia? Either way, they rocked horizontal hairdos before such things were cool.



Speaking of cool, these girls from the class of 1911 would like you to know that they are infinitely cooler than you. See how their heads are tilted together? They were obviously fast friends. I can picture them sneaking ciggies after school when out of sight from the nuns.



I suspect poor Kenneth's mum and dad were hoping for a boy. This member of the class of 1913 didn't let it faze her though. She looks like a fun, carefree kind of gal. What do you think her nickname was? Kenny? Kay? Netty? I wish we could ask her.



Before there was Romy and Michele, there was Romie and Grace. Do you think they crashed their class of 1916 high school reunion too? That would have been quite the scene.



The girls from the class of 1923 just had a horrible time committing to bangs. And poor Gracie looks like she's channeling the bride of Frankenstein just there. Dearest girls, do put down your combs. Haven't you heard? The bob is sweeping the nation (Helen has the right idea).

I can't believe I leave for Kenya in less than two weeks. So much to do! I believe it's a fair trade, giving up my usual beloved holiday traditions of putting up decorations, watching sappy movies, and baking pies and snack mixes, to take a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa. I plan to squeeze in all the holiday cheer I can before next Saturday, though. Then I'm expecting you to make up the difference. Happy Holidays from me and Peggy Lee!

High school girls

I work at an old private school. A very old private school. And its halls are lined with photos of the girls who have graduated from this school in its 130+ years. So one day, armed with a camera and inspired by my dear new friend Amy, I took a few pictures of these girls.

In the main entryway, there are photos of some of the earliest classes.



Here is the Class of 1899, all done up in their finest dresses. Party like it's.. oh wait. Yeah, that was probably a much tamer party. But oh, to be 18 in 1899!



Kate and Ethel from the class of 1900. They got a little crazy with the hair accessories that year.



There's a ghost story associated with the class of 1920. One of their dearest, favorite nuns died that year. Everyone had gathered outside for the class photo, including the nuns, but when the picture was developed, there is a nun spotted in the window. If everyone was outside, then who was in the window? It was all agreed - the nun who died.



Can you see her now? Spooky. Or sweet - depends on which way you look at it.



Oh Miss Nellie Kirby, class of 1924. How I love her so. The other girls in her class had fluffed out their hair or worn lace collars or fancy necklaces, but not Nellie. She's like, "Go on vain girls. I'm just me." I suspect she was much beloved, always quick with a joke, a true dry wit.



Oh my goodness, what is going on with Rose? She looks a bit cross. Do you think she was upset that she was 3rd Essayist rather than 2nd or 1st of the class of 1927? Perhaps she was jealous of the valedictorian..



Doryoalace is my favorite girl in the whole hallway of pictures. She was class of 1932. These days, in one visit to Northpark Mall, she'd be spotted by someone and sent off to Paris to walk the runways as a model. Before long, she'd sign a contract to be the face of Estee Lauder. She'd attend fancy parties in New York and hang out with fabulous people.

With such a unique name, I was able to google Miss Watson and found she passed away in 1995 at age 81, still Miss Doryoalace Watson. She was not a fabulous model, but a clerk for the Texas & Pacific Railroad and an art teacher. The only survivor listed is a sister, so I think perhaps she never married. Can you imagine? And such a beauty. I wish I knew more about her.



Oh Winnie. Winnie McBean. Somehow, you get the sense that she was just not amused by her name. Perhaps it was more common in 1934. At any rate, it should be more common now I think. Gone are the days of the Winnies, and we are worse off for it.

There are pictures of a few more girls on my Flickr, and about a bajillion more lining the halls of the school, watching over the class of 2013 (!) as they come rumbling in. Perhaps I'll do a round two someday.

Okay Amy, there's your present. Hope you liked it!

Strange days

Such a strange strange month it's been. Don't you think? Or is it just me? It has been so tumultuous, full of goodbyes and hellos and big changes.


Photo by the amazing Pete Souza, The Official White House Photostream. (Yes I'm still obsessed with it.)

Aren't graduations fun? I love 'em. I didn't get to attend any this spring but I know plenty of people who did. I miss that ebb and flow of a school year. How September is the new beginning rather than January. New outfits, freshly sharpened pencils, go pick out a new Trapper Keeper with kittens on the cover. Vacation at the holidays, then back to school. Spring Break. Tests. And the end rolls around in May. School's out for summer (for ever).

Students follow this schedule. TV sorta does too. I wish I did sometimes. I wish summer had that lightness to it like it did when I was young. So I'm changing direction a bit. Trying something new. Leaving magazines for the time being and going back to that school environment. I hope I like it. And I hope this means I'll have more time for my blog, and keeping everyone up to date on the latest polar bear news and etsy favorites and all that nonsense. You'd like that, wouldn't you?

So give me a couple more weeks and I'll soon have my business sorted out. Fingers crossed.

By the way, did you know that there is this crazy abandoned mini-golf in a spaceship business right alongside I-35E just south of Dallas? It's at the exit for Italy, and it is superfun to take pictures inside of. Case in point.



Dork.