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)