Dear Sillies,
May this find you well and taking good care of yourselves.
Through no fault
of my own, except that I chose another loser, Dude Three’s presence in my life
poses an ongoing challenge. I know, right? I ended that
relationship four months ago!
Please stick
with me, as we embark upon a seemingly unrelated, related story about my hometown.
Chico, CA was
founded by heroic trailblazer and statesman John Bidwell. John courted and
married Annie Kennedy (not related to the famed Kennedy family) - Civil War era. This remarkable
duo graced and saved countless lives –including those of Native Indians, on whose
land we reside—brought trees from across the world onto our formerly desolate region,
and much more.
Annie
and I were similar in a few ways: We were both the second of four children, both
June babies passionate about social justice, and we abstain(ed) from drinking.
Most strikingly, Annie was exactly my height – 4’8”. (John was at least 6’ tall.
I have yet to meet anyone my exact height.)
Annie Kennedy Bidwell (6/30/1839-3/9/1918)
Let’s start to connect the dots: Approximately 6 weeks after the breakup, a
neighbor, we’ll call her . . . let's see, "Skanky," messaged me. “We need
someone short to play Annie Bidwell in the Christmas show. Are you up for it?”
This involved welcoming guests into Bidwell Mansion (where
the couple resided) and performing a skit with Skanky. Skanky and I were friends, and she'd been in the skit for several years. Their usual Annie was out of the country.
In short (pun intended), I couldn't turn it down.
Here’s me as Annie Bidwell.
ee
It was a big, little honor and loads of fun.
Little (no pun intended this time) did I know what was going on
behind the scenes…to be continued.
Oh, you look SO FAB in your Annie Bidwell dress! And I love your kiss curl, gurl! And hmmm, what could the unsavoury sequel be to all this . . . is there a clue in your neighbour's nom de plume? Hanky Panky Skanky?
ReplyDeleteHaha. I love your clever questioning.
DeleteThank you for the praise. That outfit fit so perfectly, except that it had to be taken up 18". I know, 18 inches?!
You look wonderful in costume and make a great Annie Bidwell! You DO know the poem about the little girl who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead (forrid). When she was good, she was very, very good, but when she was bad, she was horrid.
ReplyDeleteYeah, my bloggy friend Marlene (who's no longer blogging) reminded me about that song. I admit, when I'm bad, I'm...mildly horrid. If that's possible. Okay, okay. Why be only mildly anything? I'm just plain horrid. Thank you, Mitchell. Smiles.
DeleteMaybe you could take the show to Broadway and call it, I don't know, Annie. I'll bet it would be a great hit! You could also call it Dude Three and Skanky, but it doesn't have such a nice ring to it.
ReplyDeleteI bet there's a slew of songs to go with that show, Jono. You have the best ideas! I don't think anyone wants to pay to see Dude Three and Skanky, though.
DeleteBe well, friend.
Look at you not coming up short, or would that be coming up short to score the role? lol hopefully nothing too skanky went on behind the scenes.
ReplyDeleteOr getting down short in tall order, or something. Ha. Thanks, Pat.
DeleteYou look stunning. Glad you took the part and had fun with it.
ReplyDeleteGood, Dude Three had to go.
Thanks so much, Alex. As soon as I tried that on, and I had help with all the layers and adjustments, I said "Ladies, I think we found it." (I'd tried several other outfits on first. They didn't fit at all.)
DeleteHow fun. and of course there's some behind the scenes drama. I love your T.B.C.....hooks.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun, Joanne, especially when a few kids wanted to get in photos with me. Sweet.
DeleteThat looks like a lot of fun. I'm sure we'll find out why she was Skanky.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will. Thank you, Diane.
DeleteHave a nice week.
You look amazing in that dress! It's perfect. BUT YOU LEFT US HANGING!!!!!!! lol
ReplyDeleteThank you and I'm sorry, JoJo.
Delete=)
Well don't you just look darling! What an amazing look. Waiting for more information...
ReplyDeleteI appreciate it, Martha. I wanted to keep the outfit.
DeleteYou look really good in that outfit! Good start to the story. Can't wait to read more about Skanky.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, as you may be aware, there's actually a 1970s song with a title very similar to your post title, "How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away?" by (I swear) Dan Hicks and his Hot licks.
Is it a country song, Silver Fox? I did use the title because I know it's a country music song. Must be the same one. It's a great, relevant title.
DeleteThanks so much.
I'm not sure if anyone besides Hicks has recorded it. As far as its genre, Dan Hicks (1941-2016) has been described as being "known for an idiosyncratic style that combined elements of cowboy folk, jazz, country, swing, bluegrass, pop, and gypsy music." Quite a mix, and very hard to label!
DeleteYou look great with your hair up, and you should dress like that all the time.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I would if I could. Thanks, hon.
DeleteLove.
That sounds like a fun time! Neat costume. You look great! Looking forward to what comes next.
ReplyDeleteIt was a unique, fun experience.
DeleteThanks, Connie.
Anna Bidwell was quite pretty so they picked the right person! You look so pretty in the green outfit which makes me think the gal who asked you...Ms. Skank..y...must have been jealous and maybe set her sights on someone she shouldn’t have.
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you, Birgit.
DeleteBe well.
So stunning, you should find yourself in a Wallace Stegner novel! As I know a bit about the Bidwells, I'm glad to see this.
ReplyDeleteNice to learn you know about the Bidwells, Sage. I wish we could chat about that over tea or something. Thank you for the compliments - it was a great honor. I love the fact that, though I'd never heard of the Bidwells when I moved here, I'm Annie's height.
DeleteYou look very pretty as Ms. Bidwell. You were perfect for the part!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sherry. It was fun.
DeleteOh that's a wonderful story. And you do look alot like her. You look lovely. What a fantastic experience.
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like quite a woman too.
Thanks for sharing. Worth framing those photos!
xo
Very interesting info! Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteBTW the costume looks great, and you look great in it!
It must have been a ordeal getting dressed everyday back then.