The Rewards of Being Auntie Mame

 

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It is amazing (or maybe not) how many blessings, like the flowers in the picture above (blossoms from the Loire Valley -- 2007), I find in my own back yard.  I have come to adore the next generation in my family.  They are wiser than I at their age -- perhaps that's to be expected in the logarithmic advance of time.  And there is something very green and fruitful and fresh in the communion with people one has known before utero, known the parentage and followed along their lives, which tag along one's own.  And then, suddenly, wonderfully, catch up -- and have wisdom to share.  Let's never get so old that we can't appreciate that. 

And hey nieces (I'm talkin' 'bout you) I was the one to send lace-trimmed-hand-embroidered newborn-sized dresses from Bloomies in Beverly Hills (where I worked at the time, mid '80's) just because I KNEW your mommies and daddies were clothing you in Oshkosh or thrift store.  After that, you were on your own for style.  And you've made me proud.  Style is wisdom -- style is self-confidence -- style is originality.  You've both got that going in spades.

Come see Auntie Mame here in Bakersfield-By-The-Sea and we'll go have caviar (or a vegan alternative) and champagne.

Comments

[Anna]

whats wrong with thrift stores!? :-p I have dear memories of going on Saturday and scouting for the 30% off Sundays! I was just at the thrift store today! But then there is my brother and his "I told mom not to shop at the thrift store because OTHER people need it more..." he didn't learn...

I am going to try and use miles to come down in the spring. I just haven't have a chance to really look at it yet. The plan would be to see Laura and Christine (friends who live in LA) You guys and then drive up and visit Jeff at college! Thankfully with my AK air credit card I just have to pay my bills and watch the miles build until I have enough!

<3
Anna

P.S. http://thrustacline.blogspot.com/ is me and I've been getting around to blogging more these days!

[fragile industries]

Thrift stores are WONDERFUL! Don't take me wrong! 90% of my STUFF (clothes, furnishings, dishes, art and art supplies)came from thrift stores, eBay, estate sales, hand-me-down and so on. Other people's stuff is always more interesting, it comes to me with a patina of history. I wouldn't trade my 1954 Wedgewood stove for the fanciest Wolfe range a yuppie could buy.

But every baby needs a new dress from Bloomingdales. Just one. So you know what to look for when you get to the thrift store.

I'll check your blog and hold you to your promise to visit!

[Anna]

hahahah yeah you're right! I am finding every way to get more miles! signing up for the newsletter... checking in on the web... everything. I am not too far off from being able to get 2 tickets! Then I'll be stuck in AK again! hahahah! Its so freaking expensive to fly out of here! You would think I am 3,000 miles from the lower 48 or something!

You might have to come visit too! The mountains and the fireweed alone will make you fall in love with the place! Not to mention sunsets at 11:30 at night, 24 hrs of light in the summer, the aurora in the winter, and Moose and Bears, and... wolves.... and reindeer and muskox!

But also on the used thing... I am thankful I dont have my Nana Janye's antiquing problem! That woman would go crazy in any antique store! She had SO much furniture every time they moved we got a truck! hahah! But I do love the pieces she sent us... but secretly I really wanted the grandfather clock! Brian is also thankful I dont have the Jayne antique obsession... its an expensive habit! But if the time comes and the clock is right... I am getting me a grandfather clock!

[Lilith]

Thrift stores are expensive! Why Buy clothes when you can make them out of scraps of curtain samples left over from your days as an interior designer? Well now Kate's creations (still worn, nearly two decades later) earn compliments. Speaking of those dresses, there's a story I need to tell you, Auntie Mame...