Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Compost of Life


The lady in the blue dress might be remembered as the first feminist/writer.

Paula Panich wrote lovingly in her blog At Play in the Fields of L.A. about how in 2011 a woman writer working in the wee hours of her 1921 writing cottage in LA relates to Christine de Pizan in 1405 France. 

The monastic dress reminded me of my own exploration of fashion.

In 2011 Susan Maxwell erased the ex-boyfriend and dropped in scenery

In 1972, when other girls bought new dresses off the racks for every event, I took my sketches to a dressmaker in Hacienda Heights. The influence of Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 film classic Romeo and Juliette is clear the satin lined midnight blue velvet trimmed in handmade German lace formal gown.

The lady-tailor measured and sent me away with fabric requirements. On a cost per dress- it was far and away the most expensive dress when it premiered at the Monte Vista High School winter formal held at the Diamond Bar Country Club. However, I've never been one to be caught in the must- have- new -dress- for- every- event culture. The cost pro-rated over the number of events a young lady with concerts and dates attended in her junior and senior years, it turned out to not just be an  signature look: over the time it fit- it saved money. My own.

It is hard to believe that it is 39 years since I fell in love with the idea that is Diamond Bar at a dance.



Two days ago under the brightest of blue sky the bright white beacons of bacopa blossom and thick tendrils of donkey tail sedum dripped over the side of the terra cotta planter beneath the kumquat tree. This morning we awoke to the sound of the 40% chance of rain tap dancing on the patio roof.

Ara Sustaita
I leave you with the Pasadena Fiction Writer's Group approval of the lightness of freshly squeezed tangerine juice swirled with Proseco.  And a thought.

Nothing goes to waste in a life well lived. It is all compost in the garden of our time on earth.


Even if the old boyfriend turns out not to be Cary Grant. That can be fixed.

Thank you to Susan Maxwell for her help in "fixing" history with her photo shop wizardry.

4 comments:

  1. Lydia,
    I looked and looked at that photo of the girl trying to figure out who she is. Is that you? I cannot see any resemblance. Pretty girl but certainly doesn't look like you.
    Wish I could work Photo Shop the way Sue does.
    My mother had a seamstress in Whittier that worked magic! Made mother's clothes and some for me too. Made my fabulous senior prom gown. Just got rid of it only a couple of years ago.

    That was very interesting.
    Have a good day and stay dry!
    Hugs, Trisha

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  2. Oh, I totally see the resemblance of the earlier Lydia - look at the eyes and that secretive smile!
    What fun, Lydia! Plus, maybe I should photo-shop out some of my former prom dates. It's like simple tattoo removal (though without the pain!)
    cheers, Debra
    PS we are at 42 degrees and sunshine in Seattle today

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  3. LOL

    Yep that is me with makeup, hair done and all dressed up a the very same time):-

    Debra- Congrats on Sunshine in Seattle.

    I've been seeing way too many historic movies with the actor's tatoos completely unauthentic to the time.

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  4. Oh L, I laughed at the photos you used! They were fun. I knew it was you right away, yes, that secretive smile! Pretty young girl. Beautiful woman! It's warmed to 41* here in cloudy snowy Southern Oregon! Lucky Seattle! Good blog. xo

    ReplyDelete

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