Blog Post

I have been teased by my two daughters for years. They say that I gave them terrible haircuts when they were children, and some that actually embarrassed them in front of their peers. Almost unheard of, I’d bet. In any case, I do admit that when money was tight, I would indeed cut their hair and even did “the tape thing.” I’d put tape over their bangs, hoping it would create a line to follow. My older daughter tried to be patient and quiet, but it was hard even for her. My youngest would put up such a fuss and yell out “it’s tickling me” and she’d wiggle so darn much that little pieces would fall in her (always) open mouth. I noticed that when I took her to a beauty parlor, she sat like an angel, never complaining once.

These memories came flooding back when I found some old cabinet photos. The little child on the chair (above) appears to have the same type of haircut, in which the bangs are not real straight. I call it a “child” because years ago girls and boys were both dressed in gowns, especially when they were just babies, so it is not always easy to tell them apart. But I bet they never picked on their mother back in that time frame. Mothers were revered.

I wondered how my daughters would have reacted if I had made them wear their hair with this little curl in the middle of their forehead. I also wondered if when the girl in the picture was good, she was very, very good, and when she was bad she was horrid. She sure has a sweet smile, it would be hard to believe she could turn on you!

Old photos like this are good fun. Sometimes called “instant relatives”, we have sold numerous old pictures. One gent bought only wedding photos and displayed them on each table at his daughter’s wedding. I thought that was a marvelous idea and he was kind enough to tell me (after the wedding) that the displays had gotten rave reviews. These old cabinet photos are almost always inexpensive and can be found in various venues such as flea markets and antique malls. I always feel a bit sad when they are found at estate sales, wishing the family members had kept them where they belonged.