Sunday, April 09, 2006

state fair singing champs


state fair singing champs
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
just to the right
of the purple ribbon
we won

belonging to the 4-H club
called
The Town and Country Lassies
and spending years
with this little club

christmas of my babydoll


christmas of my babydoll
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
posing with my babydoll
having chosen her
to hold
over my first-ever Barbie

learning the art
of display:
Christmas gifts "still life"
which I passed on to my kids


seeing the picture
is a little like peeking
into a time capsule

Cole's Park Bickford Family Reunion (about 1961)

that was me
clear to the left
of the reunion group
knowing that these people
were relatives
but not really understanding
since we rarely
got together

a tent for fun


a tent for fun
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
claiming one of the two
lawn chairs
to sit like the queen
outside of our new
Sears Roebuck tent
with an awning
made out of the front flap

Karen sits in the queen chair
closest to the camera
I am in repose in the background

Marie n Pete in the home I later owned

that was me
taking a photo
candidly
with my instamatic
and quite actually
capturing
grandma and grandpa
in a neat exchange

At Grandma Marie's in Hampton for a special meal


an early hampton meal
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
not at the adult table
and not quite sure
my brother Mark is

that was me
noticing my aunt lavon
laughing at what mark
was doing and
seeing the carved look
on my mom's face
knowing she isn't very happy
with what he is doing

ballet line up


ballet line up I'm hidden
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
in Hampton auditorium
where the Booster days
are held

trying my chances
with ballet
which in this small community
meant barefoot

my one and only dance recital


my one and only dance recital
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
on the right with the great gams
waiting until my sister
in the middle
remembers the steps
so the rest of us
could get on with the show

that was me
saying "never again"

mr.& mrs. ediger 1960


mr.& mrs. ediger 1960
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was my mom and dad
posing in the very corner
of the living room
in aurora
where many family couples
will pose
including prom dates
and grandpa pete and grandma marie

who's your mama in 65?


who's your mama in 65?
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was my mom
looking pretty sharp
posing against a wall
of a house
she would transpose
into a mansion

cliff on his motorcycle


cliff on his motorcycle
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that is my dad
the way he wants to be remembered
as an adventurer
wild entreprenuer
and free spirit

thanksgiving at the children's table

that was me
enjoying my turkey
not able to put it down
long enough for the picture

that was my cousin
Karen Jean
sitting at the table
with my sister and me

jane haircut (as in dick and jane) and perm after kindergarten

that was me
standing in front
of 1519 13th Street
before the front porch
was boxed in

that was me
with hair so curled
it didn't look like me
and the homeperm smell
stayed forever

Saturday, April 08, 2006

three on a sofa


three on a sofa
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
in the living room
in aurora
which converted
into a "sitting room"
for portrait taking

Daddy Cliff was making
a living working for Higgin's
in York
but on weekends
the T.V. room was closed
for Cliff's Photo customers

early cliff's photo pose


early cliff's photo pose
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
sitting on the round hassock
which twirled
around and around

posing in my new perm
like a movie star

cutting cake me in front


cutting cake me in front
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
on the far left
watching the camera (again)
while Mommy helps Marlene
cut her January birthday cake

the scene is in front of the Frigidare
in aurora's kitchen
on the North side
where the dining room
someday will be

johnson lake cabin


johnson lake cabin
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
looking straight at the camera
as the film captured
a marvelous time capsule
of tin glasses of Kool-aid,
Tupperware, jar of pickles
and stick of butter on fancy white plate

august 1960 grass picnic


august 1960 grass picnic
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
imprinting indelibly
the romantic smells of blanket,
grass, heat and crayon
creating the imaginary place
I'll always try to get back to

riding motorized swings


riding motorized swings
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
in my sweater
and cafe length pants
my mom used to call 'Pedal Pushers'

sisters on toy equipment


sisters on toy equipment
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
playing some sort of traincar
pumping action
on some overgrown track
in no-wheres-ville vacation

that was me
on the right
and my sister
Marlene on the left

preschool janaree's bday


preschool janaree's bday
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
kneeling on handmade wooden
picnic bench at Cole's Park
opening a present
while Mark opens his

that was me
turning four
I believe, Karen behind me,
Marlene at the end
and the Bergman's on Mark's side

cousins & uncle shorty


cousins & uncle shorty
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
helping I thought
by grabbing Mark's shoe
as he rode piggy back
on Tom's back

that was Karen
standing in the neatest
cafe-length pants
watching uncle Shorty
try to take a photo

a fishing grandpa


a fishing grandpa
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
holding to the idealism
that grandpa pete
saw in fishing

when I was twelve
I would go with him
take my bamboo pole
like huck finn
and sit my my grandpa
and fish

birthday by the lake


birthday by the lake
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
with plaid dress
sitting so I could see
the doll cake
that was for me

a fishing trip
to johnson lake
I think
with lots of family
and a real baked beans
and grandma marie's fried chicken (cold)

janaree's balloon party


janaree's balloon party
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
just behind the crepe paper
streaming down from the balloons
getting my fill of exhultation
and a definition of celebration

my birthday
belonging to me
like having the right
to have a big deal made over me
just because

Grandma Lillian holding Lauren, Marlene on the left, Janaree on the right

that was me
wearing a poodle on my shirt
hair pulled back into a ponytail
watching the baby closely

I didn't know then
that my grandma was ill
we stayed in Chicago for a winter
and next time I saw her

was in a coffin
in Aurora

a christmas meal with monnie (nellie grace)

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

On the farm birthday celebration


second birthday
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me

sister towers over the table
handcuffs and cake
brother opens holster and gun
cousin watches brother

that was me
opening the doll
which would sleep
in the lacey shoebox cradle

Mark, Marlene & Janaree by the garden gate

that was me
smallest on the left
hand in a fist
and mad we hand to stand still

perfect composition
sublime matching dresses
the picket gate in view
with the family posed just so

it was a day on the farm
important guests
for easter or mother's day
we made a great memory for my mom

almost a big girl phone


almost a big girl phone
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
talking on the phone
make believe
i was talking to grandma

hands are gorgeous


hands are gorgeous
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
tucking my chin just so
displaying my fingers
against freshly polished shoes

portrait of janaree age 2?


portrait of janaree age 2?
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
sitting up tall
and smiling
mommy made my dress
daddy took my picture

baby janaree portrait


baby janaree portrait
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
with perfect rosebud lips
happy to pose for daddy
in a make-shift studio

visionary eyes
from the very beginning
the hands of a writer
and a heart of a lover

infant n overstuffed chair


infant n overstuffed chair
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
farm girl
north of hampton
last born of three

upon my first birthday
my folks had babies
ages one, two and three
& the farm wasn't doing so well

we think this is me


we think this is me
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
we think this was me
riding the silent grandma pony
sleeping in honor
on lillian's knee

if it was...?

that was me
being third born
after mark and marlene
supposed to have been
named Julie

but then
named Janaree
when the dream
gave the name to my mom