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 -