Friday, October 2


There's never been a time when I could manage to open my eyes in the sunlight, so nearly every photo that has ever been taken of me shows me squinting and turning my head away from the sun. That's me with my Mom and Dad, when I was four. I don't know where we were headed; we were standing on the front steps of my grandmother's home. The photos were placed on Facebook earlier today, and someone said that my mom and dad looked like actors. Nearly everyone who knew my dad said he looked like Randolph Scott. Dad was 6'4" and at his heaviest, I don't think he weighed more than 175 pounds. He was skin, bone and muscle and extremely strong. He could lift more than any man should attempt, and he got six hernias for his trouble. Those hernias were just about the only thing he ever had wrong with him, until he developed asbestosis and COPD from inhaling asbestos at work and the unfiltered Camels he smoked for years. I miss him.


Here's another photo of me with squinty eyes, although not as bad as some have been. This was my school photo in fourth grade. I can remember sitting on a stool with the white backdrop behind me, and huge lights all around. The sweater I had on was scratchy yellow wool. It was a hand-me-down from my cousin Caroline (2 years older), who always wore wonderful clothes with good labels and wool slacks with linings. Mr. kenju and I are having dinner with Caroline and her husband tomorrow night. They live in Tennessee, but as a graduate of Duke University, her husband has tickets to all the ball games. They could make that drive in their sleep these days! We'll be going to one of our favorite Italian places - Nina's. I'll let you know how it was.

19 comments:

Joy Des Jardins said...

Your mom and dad do look like actors...very imposing figures. Your dad did look like a very big, strong guy. I know you miss him a lot. I miss my dad an awfully lot too Judy. He was a heavy smoker too...and a big guy too.

You were so cute...quite a beautiful little girl...squinty eyes and all. I hated those scratchy sweaters. I had a couple of those, but I refused to wear them. Great pics. Have a good weekend Judy.... Hugs, Joy

LL Cool Joe said...

What great photos. I love the fact you are squinting in the first shot. I too, can't handle bright light, in fact that's why I wear shades all the time. Well and to look cool too, of course. :D

So many people smoked in the past and just didn't realise the damage it was doing. So sad. I'm sorry to hear that about your Dad.

bobbie said...

I love old pictures.

And I have the same problem with my eyes. Can't stand headlights at night either, so never drive after dark. Mom was always telling me to stop hanging on her skirt, but I was afraid I'd get lost if I let go because I couldn't see. But no doctor ever found a problem.

Granny Annie said...

Yes, I see "fiesty":)

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

love the pictures - enjoy your dinner. There from my area!!

Arkansas Patti said...

Your folks really are a striking couple and you were cute as a button.
I always wanted squinty eyes. My heroes being June Allison and Roy Rogers. Never could pull it off though.

Anonymous said...

Very nice older photos. A reminder of the past like the one you saw from 1942 at our grocery store. Thanks for c oming.

Shiny Rod said...

I love Italian food, I will have to try Nina's. A new place opened in Knightdale called Mama Mia's and they have some great food. Not a classy place but the food is good and service is excellent. You have squitty eyes like me. LOL!

Grannymar said...

I love those old photos. I thought your post was going to be about film stars!

What a handsome family.

Tanya (aka NetChick) said...

I totally love seeing old photos and the stories behind them. Thanks for sharing them, Judy!

Great to see you playing the MEET n' GREET!

Cheers!

Pat said...

Your parents both have very interesting faces- and you're just sweet.
Good that Mr Kenju is happy to go out out night. We do but not often and not far.

Shelly said...

Love the old pictures ;)
You were such a cute kid! And your parents...my goodness...such snappy dressers, I know it's expensive but sometimes I wish "dressing up" like that was still the thing to do. I live in the land of jeans and T-shirts.

Jean said...

I agree, your Mom and Dad do look like actors!

Here from Netchick's. Enjoy the Italian food and have a good weekend!

rosemary said...

Your father does look like Randolph Scott....and you were adorable in 4th grade!!!

Paul Nichols said...

Hi. Your family definitely has the looks!

I'm sorry I'm so late with your five words, but I got rudely interrupted with gall bladder surgery. I am home now feeling OK; tired but OK.

So then, here are your words.
entertained
license
circle
language
puzzle

Lemme know when you post them so I can enjoy you word magic.

Betty said...

All the pictures taken of my dad outside show his arm bent in front of him, as if he has just saluted, or is about to. Actually, he just shaded his eye until the last minute before the click.

themom said...

I've always had the "squinty" eye thing. My eye doctor told me, eons ago, because my eyes are suc a light color of blue - they are more sensitive to light. My youngest daughter has the same issue.

colleen said...

Ha. I was just looking at an old photo of me and my siblings at Easter that a family member posted.

I think you look mostly like your dad, but I can see your mom in you too. I love the magic of family resemblances.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I love that second picture of you Judy. You were so very pretty and the shape of your eyes---very exotic!
Hope you have a WONDDRFUL dinner with your Cousin Caroline!
I liked that first picture, too,,,I can see the Randolph Scott resemblance....! I'm trying to figure out who it is your Mom looks like, but I haven't come up with it yet...!