My nephew, L.J., shared this photo with me. We know the kids – L.J., his sister Becky, and me (Kathy). We know the place – my parents’ (his grandparents’) home in Orofino. And I can make an educated guess about the date / occasion. I think it was my 9th birthday, August 28, 1958. The doll Becky is holding is probably Ginnette, my birthday gift, and I’m holding the box she came in. That would be our mother / grandmother standing in the background.Note the “taupe” chair behind us. I have early memories of my mother upholstering that chair in that fabric. I can see her sitting on the floor shaping pieces of fabric to fit the contours of the chair. Its boxy, ‘30s style, dated it in an age when modern meant long, low, sleek lines. And it was important to us – to me, anyway – to appear up-to-date in those years. I don’t think the chair was very comfortable – “too deep,” Mother said -- but it was what they had so Mom made do. Anyway, I always think of that chair at this time of year when I get up and the house is cold. It sat in front of a heat register, and when I was little, I would get dressed behind it because it was a warm place. In fact, I remember coloring there, too, so I think I spent a lot of winter hours behind that chair. In 1960 the folks carpeted the living room and a part of that make-over was to dispose of that chair. We were happy to see it go. Can’t help but think what I could do with it today. Hallie says, “Life’s too short to fill it with regret; stuff’s out there." Harriet says, “Unclutter your life!” Thanks for sharing, L.J. (KW)
