And it was loaded!
Anybody out there in old fogy-land probably remembers "Baubles, Bangles and Beads". It was the hit from the 1953 musical Kismet. By my quick count, I've seen over 45 musical productions, but have never seen this one. However, I do remember Mom singing it around the Stevens Avenue house and attempting to accompany herself on the ivories. Peggy Lee had a hit with it, and even 'Old Blue Eyes' took a swing at it in the early 50's. At least once during my summer two week excursion at my grandparent's house, I'd get to rummage through Nana's top dresser drawer just loaded with all this stuff and more. I'd dig to the bottom and bring up my hands allowing the beads and necklaces to intertwine my fingers, so much so that just the tips were revealed. This experience had such a sensual feel. Later, I'd load each finger with her costume jewelry rings and hold them up against the window and let the sun shine through them. The aroma of her 'old lady perfume' was sprung from the drawer and was tantalizing.
For a split second, I was a star.
In Hollywood meeting my fans.
Hey, a 10 year old alone with his grandparents for two weeks had to improvise.
That jewelry looks like a good prop for the song.
ReplyDeleteI have a drawer pretty similar to that one Birdman :) but by my reckoning you've seen 40 more musicals than moi..
ReplyDeleteYes, I do remember hearing the song, but couldn't sing the lyrics. You are way ahead of me on musicals. I do like the looks of some of those watches, especially the rectangular ones, but have never been drawn to shiny beads.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, going through grandma's jewelry was a favorite pastime for me and my sisters. We also loved to raid the attic where she had old clothes stored and dress up in outlandish outfits. Those were fun times!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter always loved going through jewelry drawers like this one. I suspect that this drawer is not your grandmother's, but rather that wonderful recently retired art teacher's. Be careful, Birdperson.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother had a jewelry case instead of putting them in a drawer.
ReplyDeleteI love this post so much, the memories are grand. I have similar ones that I enjoy myself. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother had basket of buttons that I enjoyed stringing. I don't remember being allowed to touch her jewellery. ;)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing what stirs up childhood memories? You probably have more than most people I know.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I noticed that each of the watches is reporting a different time. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have similar memories of summers with my grandparents in Chicago. The Texas grands were a different breed.
ReplyDeleteSame here. A drawer too. Not the same decade though. And now the chest of drawers is at my home.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great feeling that must have been, nothing like good memories.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother had drawers of buttons that I loved to rummage through and look at all the colours and textures!
ReplyDeleteI was a kid when I saw for the first time a box with things like these at my grandma's: I was obviously sure I had found a treasure of sorts and it wasn't easy to convince me that that was something more normal...
ReplyDeleteTreasure items and treasured memories.
ReplyDeleteYou have articulated an experience familiar to many. Re the anhinga (an-hing-a): It is related to the cormorant; Florida has millions of them. The swim well, spend a long time under water, great fisherbirds, but do need to come up and dry off their wings. I read once that the water took the oil out of their feathers, and that's why they spread their wings but that's not the case.
ReplyDeleteYou should see them around almost any body of water in Florida. Maybe your sunglasses are too dark? :)
my mom had tons of costume jewelry that i'd dig through...at one time she sold it, can't think of the brand it was, early 70's or late 60's i guess...i don't remember her selling it just that she had a bunch from it! my grandma on the other hand loved turquoise and had lots of necklaces and bracelets of it. plus her and my grandpa were "rock hounds" and would go out in search of gems, whole groups of people would go out and dig for certain types of rocks then my grandparents had a machine that cleaned them, i think it was called a tumber and also a rock saw and they had some set into jewelry for my grandma, or just kept them stored somewhere...i remember going on a rock hunt with them and i had a little pick ax thing that i'd chop at the mountain, i was very young!
ReplyDelete