I went through a phase of buying souvenir costumed dolls that represented all the countries of the world. At thrift stores, of course. And then yes, I'd hang them on the wall. Mostly. Sitting them on a table or shelf or something was too boring and tacky to even contemplate but hanging them on the wall was absolutely not boring.
Now. Is it tacky? You tell me. In my opinion, no. Something as unexpected as dolls on walls is interesting. Besides that, people have made fortunes with tackiness. Let us consider the films of John Waters. Some would call him tacky, tacky, tacky.
Many call him a genius. AND an artist.
Am I a genius and an artist for hanging dolls on the walls?
Oh good Lord no. I'm just saying that "tacky"is the first cousin of "whimsy" and let's leave it there.
Let us ponder this lovely señor y señora. They are not dolls, exactly but rather plaster, uh, things that someone hand-painted, I am sure. I don't have the slightest idea where they came from. But they have graced a wall of my kitchen forever.
Do you notice the little white chips on both their noses? Makes them look like they've just snorted a few lines, doesn't it?
Moving on.
This is the top of my kitchen hutch and the things on the wall above it. Liz Sparks made me the beautiful Virgin of Guadalupe and I bought the angel at an antique and vintage store in Monticello a long, long time ago. It is made of celluloid, I think, and was meant to light up as she has a hole in the back of her neck where you could put a small light bulb. I've never done that but I'm sure she would be so very radiant if I did. I think she qualifies as being rather doll-like.
The clock is a clock. I like that clock.
Some dolls I do not put on walls. Here's a little tableau in my bathroom.
Okay, yeah, that snake plant is probably dead but maybe not. I love those two dolls very much and I like them right there where they are with their seashell and their hopefully not dead snake plant in a pot that had been my grandmother's. I think it is rather beautiful. I especially love the little bebe head poking out from behind the mother who is carrying her in a back sling which I just looked up and see that it's real name is a "manta." Now we know. Textiles, Boud!
The baby's eyebrows remind me of something Maggie said awhile back which was that she is starting to get eyebrows like mine.
Of course, mine are gray. Mostly. But yeah- if she means eyebrows like Eugene Levy's, she ain't wrong.
And this ALL reminds me of when she was born and Lily said, "She doesn't have any eyebrows!"
"Don't worry," said Jason. "She'll get one." His side of the family has very healthy eyebrow growth too.
So that's a little wander around my house on this drizzly, getting colder night. Before the rain this afternoon, I did some tending and tidying in the camellia bed. This is not a one-day operation. What I mostly pulled up today were spider plants.
Yes. Spider plants. Everyone's favorite house plants.
This is what happens when you put a potted spider plant outside in my yard and then ignore it for awhile.
Mr. Moon is at an FSU basketball game and I just got this picture from Vergil.
I know Boppy is so proud to be at the game with his boys and their parents. A few weeks ago it was Maggie he took. I asked her which she had enjoyed more- going to the basketball game with Boppy or going fishing.
"The fishing," she said.
"It was more relaxing."
Textiles!! It's our war cry. Now I could keep looking at dolls for a long time. As s kid I mostly made them or dressed them rather than doing tea parties ir whatever girls do.
ReplyDeleteI went through a phase of making dresses for my Barbie with a small silk scarf and straight pins. I would wrap the scarf around her in different ways, pulling in here, untucking there, trying to figure out how to make sleeves. I enjoyed that so much. I remember it vividly.
DeleteI never knew spider plants could be invasive in the south. I learned something new today. I am not a sports watcher but the family looked happy to be at the game.
ReplyDeleteWell, with a granddaddy who played college basketball and pro ball in Europe, it comes naturally to some of our grandchildren to like to watch it. Levon is showing quite a talent and interest in basketball himself. Glen loves watching that. Basketball is not the worst sport to watch. It's supposedly non-contact (although that's a joke) and it's fast. No long huddles or whatever. And it's easier to see the athleticism of the players. This is my opinion.
DeleteI knew about spider plants being invasive, which is why most people I know who have them keep them in hanging baskets and trimmings get incinerated unless they want to grow more of them. We had them hanging all over in the shoe factory where I worked.
ReplyDeletethe chipped noses on those faces would bother me and the cracked face of the bathroom doll, my fingers would be itching to paint those over. I'm weird that way. It's why I have repainted so many of my gnomes.
Yes. Houseplants can definitely get out of control. How interesting that they had spider plants hanging all over the factory where you worked.
DeleteIt's funny- I have no desire to fix up my vintage things. I suppose their imperfections that come with age are part of their charm for me.
"Eyebrows like Eugene Levy's" made me LAUGH OUT LOUD! And I like your doll collection, but you know what caught my eye is the mirror with the absolutely delightful mermaids frame. You have a good looking family too, I must say. Which I think I've said before, but it is true.
ReplyDeleteThe man has some eyebrows, doesn't he? You know, I cannot remember where I got that mermaid mirror. If you lived nearby, I would probably give it to you. I like it but I am not emotionally invested in it.
DeleteYour house is filled with treasures, displayed in interesting tableaus. Of course it’s art. The much loved kind. That’s a happy looking family at the ball game. The boys do look cozy in their matching sweats.
ReplyDeleteThe boys do indeed look cozy, don't they? It's a miracle Jessie got Levon to wear long pants and a jacket. You'd think the little man was in the islands, the way he wants to dress.
DeleteI love seeing your house, so very interesting, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome!
DeleteJason’s reassurance about eyebrows like Eugene Levy cracked me up. There should one day be a book “The Wisdom of Magnolia.” Wonderful three-generations photo. I love your collections. So many unusual things. That’s exactly where my mind went when I saw the white chips on those noses. Yes, you are a genius and artist!
ReplyDeleteMaggie absolutely comes up with some good ones. I was freezing cold at their house on Christmas and so I borrowed one of her sweatshirts. "I'd forgotten I had that," she said. "I think it's too small for me anyway." "You're growing up fast," I said. She studied me a minute and said, "And you're just getting smaller and smaller." I tell you- being around Lily's kids does make me feel smaller and smaller. Especially Owen. I feel absolutely tiny next to him. Not as tiny as your grandmother was. Was it your grandmother?
DeleteHeh-heh on the white chips. People must think I led a very wild life while in all actuality, I only led a little bit of a wild life for a short while. But I do have some stories. I bet you do too, Michell.
the line between tacky and whimsical is often blurred by the eye of the beholder. love it! xxalainaxx
ReplyDeleteAin't that the truth? I think a lot depends on whether the beholder's eye is filled with love or disdain.
DeleteThanks for sharing your wonderful treasures with us. I just love to see inside your home, Mary.
ReplyDeleteYou would be appalled at the dust, I fear.
DeleteTacky? Who cares. You like it, it gives you pleasure and that's all that matters. Maybe I'll post some of the stuff hanging on my walls. Not nearly as much as you have though.
ReplyDeleteMy eyebrows are weird. A thick clump with a skinny tail.
And yeah, I've pulled up many a spider plant. They travel.
You're right about it's all about what brings me pleasure. Can you imagine hiring a decorator? How could they make a home's interior cozy and comfortable and beautiful for you?
DeleteMy eyebrows are like an old grandpa's. They always have been.
Spider plants do indeed wear travelin' shoes.
I remember that "she'll get one" story! I love the señor and señora. I remember finding plaster heads like that of various ethnicities in Goodwills back in the '80s. They're very mid-century, the kind of thing you'd hang above your tiki bar in the basement rumpus room.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great story, isn't it?
DeleteYes. Those plaster heads were pretty ubiquitous. I can't help but like a well-painted plaster head. Do people still have rumpus rooms? "Let the wild rumpus begin!"
You have a very nice, much loved, large and varied collection of interesting dolls. How long have you been collecting dolls?
ReplyDeleteDoesn't everyone collect something they love?
Finding the right display location is always important. For me, I like hanging art pieces at eye level, both sitting and standing eye level. Sometimes I hang things above doorways too. It all works.
Maggie being the only girl among many boy cousins and brothers is special. Like Maggie, basketball would not be my choice. Fishing was fun, but sailing was better. I wonder what Maggie's favorite interest will be. Boys love basketball, girls not so much!
You know what? I don't think I have ever consciously collected dolls. I just go through phases where certain things appeal to me and for awhile it was those little souvenir dolls of the world. The Seminole Indian dolls I have just gotten as I have found them. I don't go in search of them. And of course my baby dolls are rescues.
DeleteI wish Maggie WOULD get into basketball. Her great aunt, Brenda, Glen's sister played with the All American Redheads when she was young and toured the country. She was a fabulous player and she loved it. Glen says she was really a better player in some ways than he was.
I, too, wonder what Maggie's interests will be. We shall have to see.
Nothing about your posts makes me want to move on- I linger and stay for a while. I like visiting your life Ms. Moon. Thank you
ReplyDeleteOh, really? I love that you said that. Thank YOU, Anonymous.
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