THE YAYA TREE - AND ITS ROOTS - ROOTS TO OURSELVES - FROM CASTLES, CHATEAUS AND HOMES ON THE RANGE

for my children, their children and theirs, this blog is created to capture a genealogical glimpse into the WHO of each of them - the WHEN and WHERE of them - a glimpse from yesteryear, yesterday, today and into tomorrow -

I AM CALLED WOMAN...

I AM CALLED WOMAN...
i am called woman i am all that you see and so much more three in one all compiled i am the wee girl child choosing you from before to carry me then set me free i am the lover banshee quenching desire from every shore leaving all who linger more beguiled i am the earth mother styled to hold you to love you then have you soar to be the wee girl child the lover banshee the all of me i am called woman - 2009 jenean corette gilstrap

Friday, July 13, 2012

MY SECOND YEAR

august 11, 1944 - august 11, 1945

while posing outdoors at my favorite paternal aunt's [aunt mae] house in winnfield, louisiana, right, going into my second year [at the age of 14 months] it was obvious to me that my frilly girly wardrobe should be modified at least for every day wear  and so i somehow managed to obtain what would become my favorite play outfit [overalls] by the time i was 15 months old - in january 1945, there were daily photos done at mamastrap's house with other aunties, as well - 
from left, aunt fay from minden, louisiana - mamastrap - and aunt mae, who, as usual, was dressed in one of her many many brightly colored floral print dresses - were her hands visible, her weekly manicured nails in fire engine red would be seen - as was the custom in that time, all the women dressed daily in beautiful dresses and silk hose - their  hair and nails were done every week at the local "beauty shop" where the latest gossip was exchanged and tea and cookies served - 

in april of 1945, my sister and i are posed in front of mamastrap's house and as is quite visible, again, i am not at all happy with the frilly frills of my frock -  








- visible in the window behind us are the crocheted curtains hanging - these beautiful handmade crocheted pieces were everywhere at mamastrap's - in the form of chair back/arm protective pieces and curtains and even coverlets on the beds - her flower boxes were always in bloom and her yard full of gorgeous hydrangeas in pinks and blues - but my favorite of all her plants was - and still is - the lantana - i was fascinated by it's little flowers within a flower head - she had them in every color -