I think I needed this post today. I recently deleted a bunch of photos from my phone because I didn't like how I looked, was having a bad day, became terrified that TSA would look through my phone, etc, etc. I was able to recover them through my laptop a few weeks later and when the images pulled up I was shocked at how just fine they were, even took some good ones. Time and memory can sure mess with your head.
I think I told you before that I often think about the jacaranda post and the emotion and thought the narrative about life, family, and houses evokes. I especially liked the addition of the tattoo narrative with your post. You kind of rock.
I’m going to be thinking of the majestic Aunt Dot film for a long time. Her face is just magnificent, like a Yosemite cliff. Thank you so much for that link. 💐
Until 20 months ago (feels like one) I had an Aunt Dot (for Dorothy) too! She lived 97 years and still had a lover at her assisted living place! Straight shooter, gardened her own food, caught her own fish and survived a lot.
Women from that era were subjected to terrible pressures and standards of conformity post WWII that echoed in their daughters lives as well.
That rancid infuriating line -“what will people think (of me because of you)” STILL feels like a kick in the stomach half a century later.
Unfortunately I still hear it echoing when I have a meeting to determine if I am a suitable tenant, or deserve certain medical care or even just holding my place in a line…
I need to look compis mentis, detail oriented, capable at self care, and not submissive. Whew it’s a lot and my tools are still mostly visual effects.
Thank you for sharing this. Dorothy sounds like the coolest. It’s always been a fight for women to exist as we are — then more than now, of course — and I so recognize the privilege of being a woman today. I am also so grateful for those who continue to push back: the only way to stop the echo from reverberating.
I think I needed this post today. I recently deleted a bunch of photos from my phone because I didn't like how I looked, was having a bad day, became terrified that TSA would look through my phone, etc, etc. I was able to recover them through my laptop a few weeks later and when the images pulled up I was shocked at how just fine they were, even took some good ones. Time and memory can sure mess with your head.
I’m so glad you recovered them ❤️
I think I told you before that I often think about the jacaranda post and the emotion and thought the narrative about life, family, and houses evokes. I especially liked the addition of the tattoo narrative with your post. You kind of rock.
🫀
I’m going to be thinking of the majestic Aunt Dot film for a long time. Her face is just magnificent, like a Yosemite cliff. Thank you so much for that link. 💐
Until 20 months ago (feels like one) I had an Aunt Dot (for Dorothy) too! She lived 97 years and still had a lover at her assisted living place! Straight shooter, gardened her own food, caught her own fish and survived a lot.
Women from that era were subjected to terrible pressures and standards of conformity post WWII that echoed in their daughters lives as well.
That rancid infuriating line -“what will people think (of me because of you)” STILL feels like a kick in the stomach half a century later.
Unfortunately I still hear it echoing when I have a meeting to determine if I am a suitable tenant, or deserve certain medical care or even just holding my place in a line…
I need to look compis mentis, detail oriented, capable at self care, and not submissive. Whew it’s a lot and my tools are still mostly visual effects.
Thank you for sharing this. Dorothy sounds like the coolest. It’s always been a fight for women to exist as we are — then more than now, of course — and I so recognize the privilege of being a woman today. I am also so grateful for those who continue to push back: the only way to stop the echo from reverberating.
literally read / reposted monica danielle’s article last night and thought it would be something you’d write!
It’s so good. She’s amazing.
Thank you. My god, thank you.
I love you ❤️
Let’s age like oak trees. Solid, wild, impossible to ignore.
Let’s leave behind nothing but scorch marks and grandkids who say,
“Tell us the story of when you got that tattoo, Grandma.”
❤️🔥
🫀📌