Saturday, October 11, 2008

If I had to live at a different time in history.

It was interesting for me to read the Sunday Scribblings prompt. I have always known Where in history, I was meant to live. Although, there were times I wondered instead... Had I lived there before?
When I was a little girl my mom would always have music playing in our home. Frank Sinatra,
Teresa Brewer,Perry como, Dean Martin. I grew up listening to the big band sounds of Count Basie ,Glen Miller and The Dorsey brothers. As Un-cool as it was to my older brother and sister, who were enjoying csn and zepplin. I just came alive to the sounds of these old-time artists. My mom once commented that I could hear a song for the first time and just know the lyrics instinctively. I felt I had heard them before.
Later on, when I was in high school, I discovered Billie Holiday. I played her records over and over. She moved my soul but there was more to her music than that. I felt I really had experienced it before. Poor Billie died July 17, 1959, exactly one month before I was born. Yet, I felt I knew her. ( hmmm??)


It was the same with that era's dancing. Swing dancing! YEAH MAn!! the jitterbug, The west coast swing. My heart aches when I see these dances performed, I just know I would have loved dancing like that. At every wedding I am always looking for a partner that can do the lindy with me!
To me, even the clothes of the 40's are something I think I was born to wear. When I see Bacall or Bergman in films, I envy their wardrobes! When I was about 14 years old I remember shopping for a dress for an occasion. I can't recall what the occasion was, but I will never forget that dress. It was white with tiny lite brown polka dots. It fell below my knees, it had big buttons down the front a large belt and padded shoulders. It was cut straight AND it was straight out of my era. I just Loved How I looked and felt in that dress. I so wish I had a picture of it.
( the dress to the left looks similar, but not as beautiful as I remember it)

I recently read the book 'dream when you're feeling blue" by Elizabeth Berg.
It took place during WW2 and it really gave the reader an authentic look into the lives of 3 sisters and the sacrifices and loves in their lives. As I read it, I could have easily been one of those characters. It just seems to fit me. I love the innocence of that time, the family bond, the courtesies, the simple desires. As crazy as it sounds, while growing up in the 70's, I didn't even think my face was right for my era. I have a 40's face! I actually used to feel like I wasn't in the right decade. Many times people would tell me I looked like Betty Boop, while My friends were looking like Farrah Faucet and Susan Dey. I've never believed in reincarnation, but when I sit and reminisce like this, I can't help wondering once more, Have I already lived in a different time?

16 comments:

Stan Ski said...

Sometimes feels like you've been there - deja vu? or just the power of the imagination?

Queen-Size funny bone said...

My daughter is a betty boop freak.
I too would be from the time and space gene kelly, the rat pack all the old guys.

anthonynorth said...

We're of similar mind here. I used to sing away on my guitar in my youth to Led Zep music, and more, but I picked the 1940s for this prompt, too. War aside, there was so much happening. And I think it signified the end of an era.

Anonymous said...

Wow well it sounds like a great time to be a part of, and that dress sounds really nice. I understand what you mean though, I had a similar thing with music but in particular the Beatles. And I almost regret not being born when I could have seen them live!

paisley said...

i have always had a fascination with the same time period,, mainly because my gram was such a huge influence in my life,, and that was her hay day...

sometimes i wonder when i see prodigies and such if there is not more to reincarnation than we modern civilized beings would like to admit......

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean!! For me its old black and white movies and doris daye and bing crosby and dean martin and the list goes on....lol
we grew up with that 'ol' time rock'n'roll' at our house, elvis, be bop a lula she's my baby, i'm gonna rock around the clock tonight....lol...i still listen to it and my mom laughs when she visits and its playing in the background while we talk, now my eldest hates it but my youngest can dance with me any time! :D

Forgetfulone said...

You would love so great in 40's clothes!

Queen of the Castle said...

Very sweet - I was that way about all kinds of eras at different phases. Shall we go thrift store hunting together and see what we can dig up? :)

Anonymous said...

You chose a great time to live. I did not choose any!

if you only recycled coke cans

Robin said...

Perhaps you were in fact there, you just never know. Anything is possible.

Roan said...

The 40's have always intrigued me. I love the clothes, the movies, and the music. Great post. BJ

Rambler said...

40's sounds fun..with so much of music and dancing

Tammy Brierly said...

Great taste in music girl! That picture is so you and I vote to have it as your profile. How cute are you!
XXOO

Anonymous said...

That is so cool! I feel that way about the Medieval period. Like you, I can’t help but shoot a glance in the direction of reincarnation. Loved the Billie/you comparison photos, a great idea! :-D

Anonymous said...

earlier this century...cool time...the rat pack days...

threesidesofcrazy said...

This was a hard prompt for me, but I have to agree with your choice wholeheartedly. I teetered between it and so many choices, I almost couldn't decide.