Saturday, December 22

Norman Rockwell ~ 9


Click to enlarge!

Do you remember when and where you got your marriage license? We got ours in a building in downtown Norfolk, VA, which is now a memorial to General MacArthur, I think. I wonder if the clerk who served us had the same patient, but bemused (maybe bored) look on his face? Somehow, I doubt it. I don't remember what I wore that day; I worked in a hospital at the time, so it might have been my white uniform. I know I didn't wear 3" heels that day!



The bride-to-be looks intent on filling out the forms just so. If you make a mistake on the application, the wedding might be null and void, right? I'll bet that some of you have wished that before.....LOL. Mr. kenju always says that he won't ever renew his vows, just in case they weren't valid the first time. You might imagine my reaction to that....and you'd probably be right. It involves a fair amount of eye-rolling and a few hand signals.

One of the things I like most about Norman Rockwell's paintings is his attention to detail; the rose and tree branch outside the window, the cracked and peeling plaster, the pot-bellied stove. Notice the brass spittoon. It doesn't appear to bother the clerk, but if I worked there, the floors would be cleaner. Even the kitty cat seems disgusted by the mess.




28 comments:

colleen said...

I never even saw it from my first marriage, which always made me wonder if it was legal. It cost money to get out of whether it was or not.

The answer to getting up eary to roll a bare midriffed guy around a floor and blow into a dummy was: taking a CPR class!

JeanMac said...

Love this one, Judy. I have an old roll top sitting by me and I looked at it. Same design. That's a great picture.

carmilevy said...

I'm drawing a complete blank, Judy: I don't remember getting ours. I know we did, because we have it on file. And as far as I know my wife still hasn't booted me out of the house, so.

I've always loved Rockwell's work for precisely the same reason. His extreme level of detail makes it so every time you view his work you see something new.

Popped by from Michele's before hitting the hay.

Fluke Starbucker said...

I do not remember obtaining mine.

But I do remember me and the missus was also both an hour late to our own wedding... which was witnessed by two whole guests.

Moon said...

I've never seen this Rockwell , I'm sure theres a lot I haven,t seen lol, but his work has a look that no other does, the details also, one seems to find new ones each time u look at them.

Jean Campbell said...

I remember; it was the courthouse in town, where the windows and dark woodwork and high ceilings were very similar to that photo. The 'clerk' was the probate judge, his name was Mr. Dees.

I likely wore 3" heels and a plaid skirt. It was a really long time ago.

Mike said...

Norman Rockwell's pictures are always so good at showing a real life scene.

I was married by a justice of the peace in nevada backm in 1982. I don't remember the paperwork just standing up before the justice for the ceremony.

Michele sent me.

Granny Annie said...

Our wedding ceremony was performed by a minister in a jogging suit. Yep, there's more to the story. As a matter of fact, tomorrow is our wedding anniversary.

Judy, you really launched me into a whole new aspect of blog world this year and I value your comments. You are a good friend.

Merry, Merry, Happy, Happy, Ho, Ho, Ho......See you again in 2008!

Changes in the wind said...

We got our marriage license at the Prescott courthouse and have picture on my site of it decorated for Christmas. Don't remember being especially nervous about getting the license but was dreading the blood test that was required!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Neither of us remember getting ours! What does that tell ya?

LOL at your response to Mr. Kenju.

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas!

rashbre said...

Its a great picture. Rockwell has so much observation in the paintings. Glad 'm here today, via Michele.

Seasonal Greetings!

rashbre

Bobkat said...

I remember getting mine distinctly. I remember going down to the registry office on a cold day.

I like the picture very much, especially the detail like the kitty.

Michele sent me this time but you are always on my list of 'must visits' :)

Kerri said...

I love Norman Rockwell paintings. I'm glad you pointed out the details :)
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a very merry Christmas!

AC said...

My last marriage, the good one, the one that has lasted, the certificate came from the court house, pronounced, signed and sealed by the same man who gives us our car tags.
My mom and daughter were the only attendees and then we went out for ribs. Nice day.

Now when I married J's dad, the preacher, of all people, told us (it was a double wedding with another couple) if we didn't sign the papers and send them in then we wouldn't have the *wink-wink* "legal issues" of marriage. He was a real ordained Episcopal priest! Sometimes I think that whole proclamation was what put the whammy on that union. Obviously he had the *issues* although we developed plenty of our own.

My dad was a Norman Rockwell fan but I've never seen this painting either.

Merry Christmas, Judy! Give Mr. Kenju a little holiday *pinch* from me!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for introducing me to Norman Rockwell. I really liked looking at it. I am going to explore the net for more of his works. Mighty glad Michele sent me here to discover him!

Kristi said...

I do remember getting my marriage license. Of course, I had better rememeber, as it was only 6 years ago!

And I didn't look half as put-together as the woman in this painting. :)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

And the cigarette butts all over the floor, NEAR The Spitoon...!
Rockwewll truly creates such a "picture of a certain time and place"....Love this, Judy...!
You are so funny....I love your remark about eye-rolling and hand signals....LOL!

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Hey, Kenju! Michele sent me.

The first thing I noticed about the picture was the detail. I don't know; it grabbed me and knocked me out. I guess things today are so clean in comparison... I don't know.

As for our marriage license. Wow. The person who helped us was clearly given a pity job by a family member who was higher up in county government... That was the first person I've ever met who lives in Pennsylvania but had to be told that Erie is part of the state, too.

Jamie Dawn said...

I agree. The place is a bit ramshackle. The detail and the people's facial expressions are always what I love about Rockwell's work.

Unknown said...

The county clerk's office where we were at was in the basement of a bank, and each government office served us from like a teller's counter. Good times. Good times. This is a lovely painting. I was always more into Charles Russel being from Wyoming and all, but it seem Rockwell has some styling in common. Thanks for sharing this.

Michele sent me.

Anne said...

I don't remember what I was wearing when I got my license, but I do remember I was living in Maryland but was getting married in my parents' town in Virginia so I had to give a false home address. Shhhhh.

Michele sent me.

Peter said...

Hi Judy, white high heels make ladies feet look big, not just in Rockwell's paintings either.
Happy Christmas.

Anonymous said...

I think of the Navy when I hear Norfolk, VA. Was one of you a saikor? In WWII, the houses had signs stuck in the lawns: "Sailors and dogs: Keep off the grass."

rosemary said...

I have been married 4 times....who knows where I got the license not to mention I must have left my brain home when I did get them.

Happy Christmas, Judy!!

sage said...

I love the yellow dress! The only thing I remember about getting the license is that they didn't ask for my fiance's id--which I thought was odd as she was from out of town and everyone in the office knew me!

David Edward said...

Mr Rockwell wanted me to let you know that is a geranium in the pot in the window. hehe

Merry Christmas Judy!

MsT said...

AS a New Englander, I grew up surrounded by Rockwell's imagery. Nice to see there is a larger appreciation of it. It's the same thing I look for in good writing - attention to the small details, subtly drawing me into their world. Hello from Michele's tonight!