Although it is Tuesday, Sept. 4, I am putting forward this photo of two children on a farm in 1959.
What would you write about them? What are they about to do? Why is the boy carrying an adult lunch box? Look at the girl--dressed in cute shoes and pretty dress and blouse.
Write a poem, prose, short story, or just a reaction to these two little children! Link it back to this site, and check out the other participants on the right side bar beneath the rabbit.
One would think that a girl living on a farm, surrounded with procreating animals followed later by animals giving birth would have a down-to-earth understanding of sex and how things work. I believe that is what normally should happen. However, on my father’s farm, my sister and I were kept away from all the “action”. Why, I don’t know. I think the whole sex thing embarrassed my dad, and he preferred that animals copulating remain a mystery.
Words fail me.
Even so, there are hormones that won’t be denied. While I didn’t comprehend the how and where of sex, I sure understood that I wanted to know. There was something that went beyond just smiling and gazing at the boys, but I just didn’t have a clue what that was. I knew that when Dr. Kildare was on TV, both my mother and I sat down and paid attention to every word he said. While I was in this beginning stage of yearning for that unspoken action, I watched “The Ten Commandments” on television.
No, it wasn’t Charleton Heston who pulled me in through the television screen. It was Yul Brynner.
I can not explain it to you, but something about the intensity of his eyes, the seductive prowling walk, the powerful exotic voice, and the commanding dominating presence…the way his hands reached for the woman, and how his mouth devoured…whew, is it hot in here or is it just me??
Yes, my King! Whatever you say!
Since those beginning yearning/lustful stirrings, I obsessed on all things-Yul Brynner. Any movie that had his name in the credits, any newspaper or magazine cutting, or even other bald headed men (except for Telly Savalas), I was hooked. This obsession continued throughout my life, I confess.
In 1975, when I was eight months pregnant with our first child, my husband and I went to see Yul Brynner (sigh) performing in “The Odyssey” in Los Angeles. All during the performance, while having Braxton-Hicks contractions, I kept my eyes glued on him.
Years later, in October 1984, we sat in orchestra row 5, seats D and E, where we watched a matinee performance of “The King and I” in Hollywood. We were sooo close to the stage; I could make out every detail of his face, the ripple of muscles in his arms, the…oh, my. Turn on the fan, somebody.
The Magnificent Seven
Even though Yul Brynner died on October 10, 1985, and I am a grandmother, I still watch his movies and sigh at the enigmatic sexual power he possessed. I wonder if all people have an iconic figure that is integral in the coming of age awareness which happens with hormones. Hmmm…I will ask around… Thanks to the A-Z Blogfest team, who have bravely taken on the month of April! Go to the link below to check out other blogs! http://tossingitout.blogspot.com
Hmmm...these people don't know me very well. How much should I tell them? How deep should I go? Take a breath.
1. I grew up on a farm with three brothers and one sister. I learned how to skin a squirrel and rabbit from my brothers. I can also clean a fish, pluck and dress a chicken or duck. I will never again clean a catfish. From my sister, I learned that I love her dearly.
2. In 3rd. grade, my teacher Mrs. Mary Ellen Willard called me the 'Class Artist'. She let me write and write, and draw to my heart's content. She taught in a way that only exceptional teachers can.
3. I didn't learn to swim until I was 32 yrs. old. I was scared to death, but I saw my youngest child leaping unafraid into the deep end. That made me jump in, too.
4. We didn't have a piano (couldn't afford lessons, anyway) until I was 14 yrs. old. Then I taught myself to play, using math to figure out the notes and their relationship to the keys.
5. Migraines have been a factor since I was 4 yrs. old, but I thought everyone had headaches like mine.
6. Living in Ireland was one of the richest experiences of my life on all levels. The Irish people are among the finest in the world. I want to go back.
7. Don't wish away a single day of your life, not one single day. Life is too special. I learned this when I lost my brother Robert to a brain tumor at age 46, and then another brother Bill to septic poisoning after surgery, at age 44. I will be awarding this Stylish Blogger Award in a few days to some exceptional writers, of which there are many! Susan
