Can you stand another reference to my grandmother?
Here is a blossom from the silktree mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) which is more commonly called Chinese silk tree or just mimosa. My first encounter with one was—you guessed it—at my grandmother’s house. Again, I’m speaking of my dad’s mom, whom I most recently mentioned here. The tree is quite memorable because of its unique blossoms and their mildly sweet fragrance. The blooms are very soft, like tiny powder puffs, and their scent is delicious. (For the sake of Lucy and all her brethren, though, I must point out that despite my glowing review, I found a toxicity warning that says there is “…a neurotoxin in seed pods that can cause seizures and even death upon ingestion. Pets especially susceptible.”) As much as I loved the tree, my grandmother hated it. I know because I remember her saying, “I hate that damn thing.” (No shrinking violet was she.) Apparently the tree can become infested with web worms, and she hated the mess they made of her yard. So, eventually the tree went, but not before both it and I were captured together in the first and only photograph in my modeling portfolio. *intense sarcasm*
This was taken in the summer of ’66. Although Tuesday’s child is full of grace, not so much that I wasn’t a candidate for Montgomery Ward’s Wendy Ward Charm School, which was popular in the 60s. I don’t recall how I came to end up there, but my guess is from too much Glamour magazine and/or Girl Scouts. Is there a Prissy Badge to be earned? Here I am standing in front of the “damn thing” sporting the same embarrassed grin as here. In a blue polyester outfit complete with cotton gloves and patent leathers, I think I’m a little reminiscent of Jackie O…except for the anklets…eh?
A shout out to my cousin, R, whose house is behind me there. Unlike the poor tree, it still stands. :o)
Grace
T
8noodles
justin
YogaforCynics
Twitter: Hugzbe4ugo
the flowers are gorgeous and you are just the prettiest thing!
Grace´s last blog post ..Oddments
Awww, thanks, Grace. I agree with ya on the flower, but me? Not so sure. Kinda goofy lookin’…
Twitter: jodapoet
That is an adorable pic of you. That Chinese flower is exquisite. Great capture.
Joanne Olivieri´s last blog post ..Shadow Shot Sunday – Cranes
Thanks, Joanne. It’s always been hard for me to get a decent pic of these blooms…the slightest breeze and it’s Blurrr City.
Twitter: timethief
I’ve never seen or smelled a mimosa. What a gorgeous blossom that is.
Yes, I’m back in the land of the living. When my 2 best girlfriends died unexpectedly this winter (aneurysm and undetected congenital heart condition) a part of me went with them. We had been buddies for decades and shared everything. I have now crawled out of the depression pit and I’ll be trying to elevate my spirits again. Right now I’m trying to figure out the features and customization options for my new theme. Check out the slider for featured posts/image at the top and click the burrons to see how it works. I think is super cool.
I also rescued two Chihuahua bitches from a puppy mill last month. They need lots of TLC as they were neglected, and well treated like trash. Luckily my Pom likes both of “the girls”. if that hadn’t been the case I would have just fostered them until I found a good home who would take them both together as they have never been separated. Now that we are keeping them we are saving to get some vet work done. They come first and then I need a vehicle as mine just blew a head gasket a few days ago and there’s no public transit here.
I hope you and Lucy are well and happy. I was just too depressed to comment for months although I do read every post.
timethief´s last blog post ..Dragonfly or Hummingbird?
Hi TT. I’m so sorry to hear about your friends…how awful that must’ve been. I’m glad you’re feeling better somewhat and life is getting back to normal.
What lucky puppies! They are a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Especially for them…too many go without someone who cares. Funny that you mentioned a blown head gasket…this happened to us recently and we’re without wheels for a few weeks. It definitely hampers getting certain chores done (like taking Lucy to the vet), but we’ve been riding our bikes and plan to use them in a more utilitarian way.
Thank you for continuing to stop by…Lucy and I do appreciate it!
Twitter: niceartlife
Nice photo of you! Good memories are so important, enjoy them as much as you can. Wonderful flower, like a miracle, so amazing.
Thanks, NiceArtLife…on me and the flower! I have so many good memories of life with this grandmother…
OMG that pose reminds me of how my mother used to make me pose for pictures…lol She always said that the “lady like” way to stand was this.. I hated it. The flower is really pretty
ann´s last blog post ..What I made for Amanda
Ha! “Lady like.” Yeah, I always heard that, too, usually preceded by “That’s not very” Oh well. Thanks on the flower!
Toxicity? The only thing better than beautiful is the combo of beautiful and dangerous…
YogaforCynics´s last blog post ..The Almost But Not Quite Summer Solstice Post
Hmmm… So, I’m gonna rename it the Mata Hari Mimosa…whadya think? It has a nice ring to it…maybe more fitting. :o)
I already told you over at your FB page how much and why I adore the Silktree. Ours hasn’t bloomed yet, but soon….greatly increasing our honeybee and hummingbird populations.
Never heard of Wendy Ward, maybe because my stepfather worked at Wards competitor Sears! The photo is so choice.
Lydia´s last blog post ..Dex in Oregon …..the Oregon Coast trip
That was a great story, Lydia…I loved it. You know exactly what I’m talking about then. I moved a sapling once into our back yard, but it didn’t live very long. I must’ve not watered it enough or something, because they seem pretty hardy.
I can understand then why you weren’t a Wendy Ward’er!
Wonderful pictures — and I like your smile, It seems fitting.
My mother has a mimosa tree in her backyard and has been talking about its blooms lately. I had no idea what it was until recently, but it sure is a pretty thing.
Jennifer´s last blog post ..On not escaping
Awww, thanks, Jennifer. Actually, I think I was ready to burst with laughter.
Those trees are everywhere around here (No. Va.). They just seem to spring up. I think they’re considered nuisance plants, but yeah, they are pretty.
We have TONS of those trees all over down here (there are even a couple in our yard. :) I’ve always loved them. So very pretty!
Lana´s last blog post ..New Painting; Mississippi Queen
Me, too, Lana, and like I wrote to Jennifer up there, I think I read that they’re considered a nuisance. But what a pretty nuisance!
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