Dorothy Anne, freed from her dark shelf in the tiny room upstairs at the antique store.
Oh, it was such a good day. Last night I sent out a text to the family asking if anyone wanted to go to Monticello today to retrieve my doll-child, go to Wag the Dog, and eat lunch at the Mexican. And everyone did! May could not go because of work but the rest of us were there.
Jessie stopped to get me on the way and we ran by the library to see Terez and were surprised to find that it was a special day there, with free kid books, a lady who makes balloon animals (and swords) and another lady doing air tattoos. There were also hamburgers and hot dogs. I just love that library. We hung out while Kathryn made the boys a sword and a unicorn.
Jessie stopped to get me on the way and we ran by the library to see Terez and were surprised to find that it was a special day there, with free kid books, a lady who makes balloon animals (and swords) and another lady doing air tattoos. There were also hamburgers and hot dogs. I just love that library. We hung out while Kathryn made the boys a sword and a unicorn.
Yes, Levon's sword is a trifle, uh, phallic, but the unicorn was a work of art. While we were there a local pastor came by and chatted with everyone and did a little filming for I-don't-really-know but he got me on camera saying that Terez is a wonderful and helpful person who is there for everyone. This was definitely NOT your run-of-the-mill white Methodist minister. He was about as tall as Terez, dressed in a very cool Jefferson County t-shirt and shorts, and was wearing the fanciest watch I've ever seen. His voice was booming, his presence was huge. He was handsome. I can only imagine that he has a very large congregation and I bet you anything the man can sing.
Since the rest of the family hadn't gotten to Monticello yet, Jessie and Levon and August and I went to the antique store where I was determined to buy that doll. I went straight upstairs and got her and took her down to the desk. I said, "Okay, this poor demonic, neglected child has been here for over a year. What will you take for her?"
It's one of those antique stores where different venders have their own spaces and so they had to call the guy. He said, "Twenty bucks."
I asked the lady if she thought he'd take fifteen.
"I will," she said.
I was a bit confused but what she meant was she didn't care what the guy wanted, she would be happy to get fifteen dollars for the poor, demonic, neglected child. So I paid fifteen dollars and the baby doll was mine.
Jessie immediately suggested "Dorothy Anne" as a name for her which I think suits her perfectly. In fact, one of my favorite dolls I had as a child was named Dorothy. And so, Dorothy Anne she is.
We left the store with her in a plastic bag and Jessie said, "You can't put a plastic bag on a child's head."
"I know," I said. "I'm taking it off as soon as we get outside."
And I did. I showed her to August. "She's creepy," he said.
"She's just had a hard life," said Jessie.
I asked the lady if she thought he'd take fifteen.
"I will," she said.
I was a bit confused but what she meant was she didn't care what the guy wanted, she would be happy to get fifteen dollars for the poor, demonic, neglected child. So I paid fifteen dollars and the baby doll was mine.
Jessie immediately suggested "Dorothy Anne" as a name for her which I think suits her perfectly. In fact, one of my favorite dolls I had as a child was named Dorothy. And so, Dorothy Anne she is.
We left the store with her in a plastic bag and Jessie said, "You can't put a plastic bag on a child's head."
"I know," I said. "I'm taking it off as soon as we get outside."
And I did. I showed her to August. "She's creepy," he said.
"She's just had a hard life," said Jessie.
And then Dorothy Anne waited in the car while we met the rest of the family at Wag the Dog.
For any of those of you who are newish here, Wag (as we call it) is a thrift store in Monticello whose proceeds go to the local animal shelter and there are some very fine bargains to be found there. We all got something, I do believe. The kids got toys. Lauren got two guitars, one of them pink. August's choice was a private unicorn diary with a key to lock it with. He's really into unicorns these days. It was still in the packaging. Maggie got a giant multi-color-tipped pen that actually writes. Gibson got a Lilo stuffed animal, and so forth.
I found a down comforter that is in the dryer right now. King-sized! It's rather light-weight which is just what I wanted. It's in beautiful condition. I also bought a purse which I have no need of whatsoever but it's cute, a very old handmade baby dress, and a pillow to go on the porch swing which is in the dryer with the comforter.
It has a unicorn on it.
For any of those of you who are newish here, Wag (as we call it) is a thrift store in Monticello whose proceeds go to the local animal shelter and there are some very fine bargains to be found there. We all got something, I do believe. The kids got toys. Lauren got two guitars, one of them pink. August's choice was a private unicorn diary with a key to lock it with. He's really into unicorns these days. It was still in the packaging. Maggie got a giant multi-color-tipped pen that actually writes. Gibson got a Lilo stuffed animal, and so forth.
I found a down comforter that is in the dryer right now. King-sized! It's rather light-weight which is just what I wanted. It's in beautiful condition. I also bought a purse which I have no need of whatsoever but it's cute, a very old handmade baby dress, and a pillow to go on the porch swing which is in the dryer with the comforter.
It has a unicorn on it.
And then on to the Mexican restaurant!
A delicious lunch was had by all and then we did the traditional many, many hugs and went our separate ways. Before we left town, I took a picture of the windows of the office of the Republican party of Jefferson County so that I know who not to vote for in this election.
I need to go back to town next week to early vote.
Want to see what Mr. Moon caught last night in the fox trap?
A juvenile possum.
Tonight I'm thinking it will be a raccoon. But who knows? We may go through the entire possum family before we get one of those.
And yes, he was released.
So like I said, it's been a wonderful day. When Owen hugged Levon good-bye he said, "I love you, Levon," and my heart just swelled with the sweetness of it. I am so lucky.
Here's what Lisi looks like wearing the dress I bought today at Wag. It is too big but still, it looks lovely on her.
Y'all. I have a great fear that I am becoming obsessed with dolls. As I told Jessie on the way home today as I held Dorothy Anne on my lap, "Well, I am truly an old woman now."
Love...Ms. Moon
I'm so glad you got Dorothy Anne. She belongs with you. Wag is a great thriftie. What buys. Also fun.
ReplyDeleteWag IS a great thriftie! You never know what you'll find. And the prices are not bad.
DeleteDorothy Anne is dear, something about her I do agree! Being an old woman doll lady is a better thing to be than any of the other options.
ReplyDeleteThe dress is large and it does look fancy on her, the new kids in the fam.
Dorothy Anne is indeed a dear. She is settling in well, and I am pretty sure she knows she is loved.
DeleteSo glad you got Dorothy Anne and with your loving care, she will become less scary looking and looking scared (for a doll).
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to be able to have an impromptu gathering of your family for lunch!
You're right about Dorothy Anne. I think she is already looking happier.
DeleteI know how lucky I am in my family. It's rather remarkable.
Again I have to ask, what is an air tattoo?
ReplyDeleteDorothy Anne is delightful. I am sure she will settle in well.
Your possums look different to ours or maybe it's the camera angle. Here they are a protected species which is a shame as they are a bloody nuisance.
It's like air-brushing T-shirts or canvas, but on skin with special paint that is friendly to the skin. Very pretty.
DeleteI do appreciate the possums for the number of ticks they eat but I am not one who thinks they are cute. There are people who do, though!
My mother's dolls were named Dorothy. Actually they had last names, too. Dorothy Doll. I am in love with Dorothy's hand smocked dress. Smocking is a difficult art.
ReplyDeleteSmocking is indeed a difficult art. That dress actually has a tag in it. It was not homemade. But before Jessie was born, a friend of mine made her (by hand) a smocked dress. It was so beautiful. I learned to do smocking in some home ec class but we only did a pillow.
DeleteI'm sure Dorothy Anne is happy to be with you! Lisi looks a lot like Greta Thunberg, I think. That's a very sweet dress you've found. I confess to having a doll house, I love wee things. Great family pictures! Much love.
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
Lisi does look a little like Greta!
DeleteAnd I love that you have a doll house. I always wanted one, never had one.
Love back your way!
Dorothy Anne does look amazed and a little astonished to find herself in such happy, sunny surroundings after all this time alone. Lisi looks beautiful in her new dress.
ReplyDeleteI love the tables filled with happy smiling faces at the Mexican restaurant :)
The down comforter was a terrific find!
I think Dorothy Anne is becoming a little more trusting of her surroundings. She now has clean clothes.
DeleteWe had a good time at lunch. There are so many of us!
Lisi is beautiful. As for Dorothy Anne - well I'm glad someone loves her!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
DeleteThat happens when you visit a thrift shop or antique store - something just grabs your attention and says, "take me home with you". That has happened to me on numerous occasions!
ReplyDeleteYour family sure does enjoy getting together! That's so great!
It's so true. You can pass it up and then feel the pull of it. Sometimes you give in on that particular day and sometimes you have to go back. It's funny, isn't it?
DeleteAs long as you stop short of becoming Baby Jane. I don't know why that popped into my head. I'm sorry, I'm with August, that doll is creepy.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful day with the Moon clan. Our thrift shops are boring.
I'll try not to become Baby Jane. I promise.
DeleteAnd I do not deny the creepiness factor there but I can't help it- she called to me.
Some thrift stores are definitely less exciting than others.
I want to say something nice about this doll phenomenon but I have to admit dolls are a complete mystery to me. Especially creepy ones missing fingers! But hey, whatever makes you happy, and I mean that in a sincerely, non-snarky way.
ReplyDeleteI CAN see the appeal of wanting to rescue something that seems neglected. I have similar impulses, as you know, though not focused on creepy dolls.
Everyone looks so happy at lunch. It sounds like you had a great day, and reading about it made MY day better.
Oh, Steve. You cracked me up! If anyone can understand the call of a neglected item to be rescued, it is YOU! I think we both act on the same urge, but with different sorts of items.
DeleteI did have a great day. I was actually contented and happy all day long.
I need a staircase blog
ReplyDeleteI am promising you one.
DeleteShe looks a whole lot happier under the comforter than she did without. I don't think it's just my imagination.
ReplyDeleteYour Dorothy Anne story reminded me of the novel Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro . I wonder if you have read it?
ReplyDelete