Friday, July 9, 2010

Kindred Spirit

Miz Dee
Greenville, Mississippi
A long time ago


My intrepid sketching partner, Miz Dee. Now there's the face of a Ya-Ya Sisterhood Sweet Potato Queen if I ever saw one. You can see her little brain thinking up all kinds of mischief.

Even though we both have gray hair and bifocals, when we're together she is 12 and I am 10, too old for dolls but not yet interested in boys. She's my older cousin sent up from Greenville for the summer. We are free to roam the county poking around in back alleys and old graveyards as long as we're back home by the time the streetlights come on.

Oh she can behave herself in public, but underneath all those polite "Yes ma'ams" and "No ma'ams" is a wild, restless spirit. She can't wait to get into something she shouldn't oughta, like skinny dipping in the water tank at midnight.

It's kinda scary for us to be together. Chances are we'll end up in the jailhouse by Labor Day. That's why I adore her so.

3 comments:

Laure Ferlita said...

LOVE that image!

And that's the sign of a true friend....one that's sitting next to you in the cell saying, "Damn, that was fun!" rather than the one you call to make your bail saying "You did WHAT?!!"

Bravo to having found such a wonderful kindred spirit!

Unknown said...

OH, she does look like a fun person!! I gotta find me one of those!

Warren Ludwig said...

Hey! That's my Momma you're talking about! (So, please...no mention of skinny-dipping!!)

Glad the two of are having such a great time out sketching all over town. I've been so glad that you came along when you did. It's been a tough road with Mom losing her true love, Mr. Shorty, last year. And then again, in April, losing a daughter-in-law...my wife of near-30 years, Cat.

But the adventures she tells me about, when you and "Miz Dee" go exploring and drawing, make me jealous, and wish I were back in El Do joining in the fun. Thanks for your energy, your humor, and being her friend!
-Her Eldest Son