Raggedy Hands
One of my first memories is of the time I was all dressed up as Raggedy Ann for a costume contest. My little brother was Andy, of course, and my mom had made the costumes. I must have been about three.
We were about to go in front of the judges when I had a panic attack. My mom had sewn the mittens of the costume to the sleeves. I couldn’t move my fingers freely. I wanted them out. Immediately. There was screaming.
Mom gave in and ripped the seams open with her teeth and hands. It was an emergency. She lost her costume contest and I won my freedom that day.
My hands are always ragged from some project. I can’t keep polish on my nails. From painting to refinishing furniture to mosaic tiles. To writing. I need these hands as much as I need the brain.
This week something ripped and my fingers are flying all over the keyboard with story ideas. I love it when it’s like this.
This is a fountain in the Luxembourg Garden in Paris, fed by a natural spring. Those hands belong to Sweetpea and Spanky.
aj said,
February 24, 2007 at 1:19 am
I was going to say if one of those sets of hands were yours, “petite” was an overstatement. Thank god they are your kids.
Bozoette Mary said,
February 24, 2007 at 9:23 am
I love it when that happens too!
max said,
February 24, 2007 at 12:24 pm
This is thumb appreciation, right? Like, Wow, now Max is maimed I so appreciate having my thumb?
cinemagypsy said,
February 24, 2007 at 3:01 pm
What Boz? Your hands tied or the streaming conscious? Just kidding.
Actually it’s coincidental Max. I wrote this post days ago and was trying to find my mother for a photo of the Raggedy Ann costume. I’ve got about 20 posts in draft form, waiting for some editing or the mood to strike to post them.
Sophia said,
February 24, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Kitty, since you use your hands so often, remember one thing: when you make guacamole, wash your hands afterwards. One thumb off the workshop, okay. Two thumbs off the workshop, big problem.
cinemagypsy said,
February 24, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Sophia, as long as I have toes I’ll still be in the workshop.
Sophia said,
February 24, 2007 at 5:07 pm
LOL. That I want to see. You typing with your toes. Not that I’d ever bet against you. I’m sure you would do it if you had to.
cinemagypsy said,
February 24, 2007 at 5:45 pm
I’d go so far as typing with my teeth or nose if I had to.
aj said,
February 24, 2007 at 10:58 pm
I would not type with my toes, I am just not that committed.
michele said,
February 26, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Yay I like that image of fingers flying over the keyboard with story ideas.