Saturday, May 06, 2006

mother's day front steps


mother's day front steps
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
with my mom and sister
on Mother's day
B.J. has her coursage

I have the sweet little yellow
dress on that I wore often

I remember how tormented
I was when Mr. Mendek
demanded that we were a dress
and nylons to our band concert
in sixth grade

I had to wear nylon sheers
one on each leg
attached to a garter belt
which rolled up my belly
popping the garter open
and making the nylon fall

I just wanted to wear socks
for the rest of my life...
then panty hose was invented!

the night my parents bought marlene the horse

that was me
holding the bridle
with my brother, Mark,
told to stand
between the reins

marlene was knowingly
the horse's owner
although we all were
welcome to ride her

the horse's name was Star
and just when this perfect portrait
was snapped
Star spooked at the flash
pulling her head up and away
and the reins
strangled my brother's neck
and left a leather burn

the next month
I was allowed to purchase
a sewing machine
at $6.00 a month
for sixty months

christmas eve in the golden room dressed up

that was me
on the left
forsaking my normal pink
to wear blue

I know I am sick
because I can barely smile
The attitude isn't demure
it's asthma

I'm allergic to evergreen
big time
and that is a real tree
we are sitting beside

total beauty humiliation


total beauty humiliation
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
trying to make the transition
into young ladyhood

I remember
being uncomfortable
in the primping and preparing
for beauty

Today I could be heard to say
"I don't do beauty"

girlscouts bell parade


girlscouts bell parade
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
leading the bell parade
by donnette's side

there was a lady in town
whose last name was Bell
and she collected bells
and she loaned out
hundreds of them
for our parade

it was for a patriot event
where a special monument
to veterans
was being unveiled
on the courthouse lawn

girlscouts at father-daughter banquet


girlscouts in large group
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
far right
front row
with my beauteous knee-highs

when I went to this banquet
I felt so special
but now all I remember was that
I was mad
because my dad
had to jump up
and take photos
all the time
and it made me sit alone
instead of with my dad
at the father-daughter table

a shaking of the pudding


a shaking of the pudding
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
helping to make the pudding

when we went camping
I would plan the meals,
for however many days we were to be gone,
make the grocery list,
pack the camping kitchen with supplies
and help to make the food

one of these camping trips
we were headed to california
to see Ella Mae and Earl and
their kids, Lauren, Paul & Mike

cynthia and gail from omaha


cynthia and gail from omaha
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
on the very yellow left
looking at the cat
wishing Marlene
wouldn't add it to the picture

that was a time
I'll always remember
when our church
brought children
from an Omaha church
to visit and stay in our homes
during the summer of the race riots

gail wrote my family
for years and years
the last we heard from her
was when she announced
she was getting married

Karen, Carla and Me decked out in pink

that was me
white headbanded
sleeveless
button up shirt
with tiny collar

Karen and I were cousins
Carla and Karen were cousins

and we showed up
somewhere
dressed like this
without planning it

A special Christmas 1963 with Karen Jean at Grandma Marie's

that was me
looking at the camera
with my knuckles tucked under
my chin

my grandma marie to my left
my cousin Karen to my right

this around the table scene
in grandma and grandpa's dining room
is as familiar as tapioca pudding

that was the last
Christmas
with Karen
the Christmas of the jewelry boxes
and art sets

swings in my backyard


swings in my backyard
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was my childhood home
as seen from the west door
before the garage became attached

that was my swingset
my dad made for us
on the farm
and brought it to our town home
which I'm sure was not easy

that is donnette with her knee
on a swing
and my sister hanging upside down

that is greg schaffert's house,
neighbor and classmate,
in the background

nine and pink party


nine and pink party
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
getting ready to blow out
the candles
and make a wish

note the pink shasta
we had to drink

the guests are named in the next photo

center of attention at 9


center of attention at 9
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
biting my lower lip
while I concentrate
on opening my package

left to right
debbie person
me
paula reisinger
cheryl strong
janet weedin
pam till
kathry tucker
roberta luthy
marlene my sister in the back
and denise bamesberger
in the foreground

my seventh birthday on the seventh


seventh bday on the 7th
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was me
at the far right
posing with my knuckles
under my chin

I love how I am being held
by grandpa pete

how the shot captures
how tired my mom
looks

how sweet grandma
smiles

how the army men
are being positioned
around the birthday cake

and I wonder
why Marlene's chair
is empty
to the right of my dad

everything 50's in 1965


everything 50's in 1965
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was my mom
setting the table
in the kitchen
which became the dining room

note the burnt
matchstick cross on the pegboard
rack above the kitchen counter
probably made by my brother
Mark
in boy scouts

piano stuffed walls


piano stuffed walls
Originally uploaded by Zama Ree Do.
that was my brother
Mark
playing Schumann's Book one
on the piano
which my mom learned to play on

It sat in a neat little alcove between closet and door to my bedroom but in order to get it there it had to have the top
sawed off
just a schmidge