Poem To A Red Hat Girl In A Garden
Photography, The Pea | Posted by Jannie on 24 April 2011 @ 4:55 PM 35 Comments
Daughter, a little less than 3 years before you were born
your maternal grandparents swooped down here to Texas
from Canada (that was December 1998) to help me plant
3 palms, 3 crepe myrtles and 2 variegated pittosporums
in the planter box where all has grown so tall and lush.
Long way to come to plant a garden – 2700 miles, but
it’s never too early to start planning a good blog post!
And you know what? I really like how the little purse
you held yesterday for these pix is the one you carried
as a flower girl* in North Carolina when you were four.
Now you’re 9, closer to 10, and ‘way over halfway to 18.
And you know what else I like? That your grandparents
were born, and I was born, and your dad was born and
everybody else was born and I like how it’s always spring
somewhere, and always a great day to love and be loved.
~~~ end of poem ~~~
(Oh, and I like how Kitty got into the first photo beautifully!!)
Posted by Mom with love on Easter Sunday afternoon as the aroma of roasting prime rib fills the house.
xoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxo
* Yes, my darling peeps, you’ll see the flower girl photos one day, of course!!
On 24 April 2011 at 5:47 pm sheila said,
1/2 way to 18.
love that!
Also love the pics and so cool to see how things have grown through the years.
On 24 April 2011 at 6:15 pm Daisy said,
Oh my goodness! They’ve grown so much! Lovely pictures and poem, dear Jannie. Happy Easter to you !
On 24 April 2011 at 7:18 pm Aimee said,
Happy Easter Jannie! I love the first picture. She looks so grown up and like she stepped out of a 1940’s (colour) photograph taken in some exotic location.
On 25 April 2011 at 2:44 am Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. gosh they sure have grown .. mind you so has the sprog in the mind in ‘98 .. but look at her now – red hatted, sun dressed … little soul.
Beautiful tribute to your little one and the family in general .. happy Easter monday .. 2,700 is way too far to go to plant a garden! But good for your parents to come to help .. you’ve done so much to the house and garden .. it’s a great family home now ..
Cheers Jannie .. happy times and memories .. to you and BB .. Hilree xoxoxo
On 25 April 2011 at 4:10 am SnaggleTooth said,
Wow, look at how all that neighbor stuff magically dissappeared!
Kelly is so pretty all dressed up for Easter. The pic of your parents is wonderful, n they are amazing farmers to do so much for you during their visit! That’s alot of digging!
Nice poem- Hop your familty had a great day!
On 25 April 2011 at 5:59 am G-Man said,
What a Heartbreaker she will be…
On 25 April 2011 at 6:10 am Nessa said,
I love the optimism and hope of your poem. Your red hatted girl is beautiful.
On 25 April 2011 at 7:27 am Lynn said,
I hope you had a happy Easter, my Jannie. Your little girl sure was fetching in that get up! xo
On 25 April 2011 at 7:58 am ayala said,
Love the pictures and the words for the beautiful little girl in the red hat
Time goes by so fast….
On 25 April 2011 at 10:21 am Jannie said,
Dearest Sheila — I KNOW — over half was to 18. Less than 9 years until she can vote, and drink in Quebec! And only 3 years away from having a glass of wine at Sunday dinner in France. Do they still do that in France?
Dearest Daisy — plant something and it will grow, higher and higher and before you know, it’ll be gigantic. Looking forward to seeing my crepes bloom, won’t be too long now, I hope.
Dearest Aimee — yes our backyard — so exotic! Who knew?
Funny thing is she has her gymnastics tee under the dress — said it matched the hat so well. She put the outfit together herself, silk flowers in satin purse, and all.
Dearest Hilary, yes the sprog still a hope and a dream back then. And in 1999 Jim and I were over in your area, or close to it. Your nation, anyway! And when she’s an old lady will she wear a red hat with purple flowers on it? Is that ow that song goes. My mom is a red hatter, has so much fun at it.
Dearest Snaggle, and she wore a different dress for the egg hunt earlier that day, into fashion now. Yes, I so wish Mom and Dad would get their passports and come down here again! They never stopped while they were here, Mom inside and Dad outside with Jim. Hop you had a good one too, even with working and all.
Dearest G-Man, yes, she’s a cutie, with lots of spunk. But she says she’s not getting married until she’s 32 — and get this, she says for ME to pick out her husband since I did such a good job picking mine!! Ahhhhh…
Hi Dearest Nessa! Wow, you are getting out and blogging again — how great to see you. Hope — yes hope, and love and all that happy crap.
Just kidding! Just kidding! All that happy stuff, I should say. 
Hey, Dearest Lynn, I hope you had a great one too. Did you get together with your family? And will you be making you a Dollar Store bonnet for next year??
Yeah, she’s cute. That’s her red gymnastics tee under the dress!!
Hi Dearest Ayala. Do you have, or have you had a little girl? I’
m trying to take lots of pictures, never can take too many. Thank so much for your visit again and kind comment. Great to see you!!
xoxoxoxo
xooxoxo
On 25 April 2011 at 10:54 am Alice Audrey said,
“it’s never too early to start planning a good blog post!” LOL!!
The hat looks lovely on her.
On 25 April 2011 at 2:00 pm Adrenalynn said,
I love your poetic voice, dear Jannie! And such a gorgeous girl – and a lovely garden! I want a garden like that… how quickly they grow. She’s a little lady!
On 25 April 2011 at 2:53 pm Dr. J said,
I’m so glad that we both live in such great climates for plants! It’s wonderful to be surrounded by all the green. I have some memories connected with my yard also. Thanks!
On 25 April 2011 at 3:47 pm LL Cool Joe said,
I love the first shot with Kitty in the background!
Hope your Easter was wonderful!
On 25 April 2011 at 3:50 pm ayala said,
I have two wonderful sons but I do have nieces that I love to spoil.
On 25 April 2011 at 5:03 pm Jannie said,
Howdy friends and naybers!
Alice Audrey, Dear, actually, my great-great-great-great-great grandparents and Jims’ started this post.
And yours to read it. 
It’s fun to see her in a dress because she’s usually a shorts and pants gal, and all stretchy for comfort.
Ahh, thanks Dear Adrenalynn. Are you guys going to go for a little girl third time ’round? That’s the charm, they say.
Altho little boys are pretty darned charming little charms too, I hear. One day I’ll show you the other side of the yard! (After a bit of clean-up under the treehouse, got some stuff that needs relocating — a dump would be a great place for it.)
Hi Dear Dr. J! Yeah, I considered making our home in Antarctica, and almost did ‘cept for it would’ve been hard on an outdoor garden.
And that bed is pretty-much xeriscape, and has been ever since Kelly was born, poor little plants fending for themselves.
Hey, Dear JJCOOL, Kitty does insinuate himself into quite a few pix, the nosey little sweetie. He’s so cute tho. And I probably love him more than anyone ought love a pet, but I like it that way. We had a marvie Easter yes,, thanks. And hope you guys did too??
Hi Ayala –well, how awesome you came back to read the comment reply — you are on the ball!!
Two boys, how lovely, and great for each to have a brother. So wish I’d had a sibling for Kelly, but it was not to be. May we have many many grand-children!! 
xooxoxoxoxo
xooxoxoxoox
On 25 April 2011 at 5:21 pm Laura Hegfield said,
So sweet Jannie!
On 25 April 2011 at 5:47 pm Shanae Branham said,
I love the red hat and your beautiful spot in the world. Time seems to pass so quickly. Thank you for going to FB for me. Cheers!
On 26 April 2011 at 11:58 am Jo Miffo said,
When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple with a red hat, which doesn’t go or suit me. And I shall spend my pension on brandy & summer gloves & satin sandles & say “I’ve no money for butter”. I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired & gobble up free samples in shops, I will press fire alarm bells & bang my stick along public railings, And make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain & pick the flowers from other peoples gardens & I shall learn to spit. I will wear terrible shirts & grow fat & eat bread & pickles for a week & hoard things in boxes.
xoxoxox
On 26 April 2011 at 1:18 pm K said,
It’s a beautiful post. You have a beautiful daughter. And the kitty in the first post is the perfect tough.
(I love that it’s spring somewhere too!)
On 26 April 2011 at 1:43 pm Patricia said,
Oh this was a lovely spring blog about growth and planning a blog post in advance
You are a master planner! 12 years in the making…
Beautiful child in bonnet – Thank you
On 26 April 2011 at 2:00 pm Glenn Buttkus said,
You placed us all there in your yard,
in your past, on your deck, with the
Texas breeze embracing the flora
against your fence, and the mother’s
love, and wife’s, and daughter’s
circumnavigate the dire tunes and
tones on CNN this morning, and
I want to meet your parents, and
ride one of father’s horses, and
buy Kelly a red sash belt to go
with her terrific red hat, and save
a blood red of prime rib for me.
On 26 April 2011 at 3:30 pm k and b said,
loved all your pictures and you poem to your girl in the red hat. =D
On 28 April 2011 at 8:58 pm Jannie said,
Dearest Lovely Human Beings…
each comment touched me sweetly.
Glenn — yours made me cry.
Jo is that THE red hat poem?????????? smooochies.
xoxooxoxoxxoox
On 30 April 2011 at 3:43 am Jo Miffo said,
Hey baby cakes :d
The poem is “When I am an old lady I shall wear purple” by Jenny Joseph x
xoxoxox
On 5 May 2011 at 7:49 pm Jannie said,
Yes, Dear Jo — I had heard of the poem, but never read the whole thing. LOVE it!! Reminds me of you. You could’ve written it!
xoxooxoxoxoxxoxoxoxox
On 6 May 2011 at 3:26 am Jo Miffo said,
oooops… well I didn’t do the whole piem cuz I’m just a lazy son ov a gun… but here it is sugar tits
No I did it from memory :/
WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLE
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people’s gardens
And learn to spit
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
Taken from the book
When I Am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple
Editd by Sandra Martz
Papier Mache Press–Watsonville, California 1987
On 6 May 2011 at 3:31 am Jo Miffo said,
Also I really like this one… Not my own (I’m not talented like you dear) but it amuses me
WHEN I’M A LITTLE OLD LADY
When I’m a little old lady
Then I’ll live with my children
and bring them great joy.
To repay all I’ve had
from each girl and boy
I shall draw on the walls
and scuff up the floor;
Run in and out
without closing the door.
I’ll hide frogs in the pantry,
socks under my bed.
Whenever they scold me,
I’ll hang my head.
I’ll run and I’ll romp,
always fritter away
The time to be spent
doing chores every day.
I’ll pester my children
when they are on the phone.
As long as they’re busy
I won’t leave them alone.
Hide candy in closets,
rocks in a drawer,
And never pick up my clothes
from the floor.
Dash off to the movies
and not wash a dish.
I’ll plead for allowance
whenever I wish.
I’ll stuff up the plumbing
and deluge the floor.
As soon as they’ve mopped it,
I’ll flood it some more.
When they correct me,
I’ll lie down and cry,
Kicking and screaming,
not a tear in my eye.
I’ll take all their pencils
and flashlights, and then
When they buy new ones,
I’ll take them again.
I’ll spill glasses of milk
to complete every meal,
Eat my banana and
just drop the peel.
Put toys on the table,
spill jam on the floor,
I’ll break lots of dishes
as though I were four.
What fun I shall have,
what joy it will be to
Live with my children….
the way they lived with me!
~author unknown~
Brings a satisfying smile to one face I think
xoxoxox
On 6 May 2011 at 10:10 am Jannie said,
Jo — sugar tits, that me — you KNOW it!!
My mom is a Red Hatter, they get together and do all that wacky stuff. They have a LOT of fun at it.
And what the hell is a beermat?
I have not been so sober in my youth — not talking alcohol. I have been pretty wacky, as have you.
I LOVE that last poem. And they take your sticky-tape, scissors and toenail paint too!!
My favorite line is rushing off the movies without washing a dish. That’s ME!!!
And before too too, too, too, too long YOU will finally be featured in a post here. Not sure exactly when — maybe Sunday or Monday, May 15th or 16th. EXCITEMENT!!!!!
xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxxoxoxo
xoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
xooxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoox
xoxooxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxo
xooxoxoxooxoxoxooxoxoo
xooxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoox
xooxoxoxoxoxooxoxooxox
On 6 May 2011 at 11:08 am Jo Miffo said,
BEERMAT :-
They are put on tables in pubs, so that when you buy ya pint of larger, bitter or Guinness you place the full glass on the beermat so that it doesn’t slip off the table or make damp marks on the table. They are made of cardboard and usually advertise alcohol on them!!!
xoxoxoxo
My goodness I’m full of useful information
On 6 May 2011 at 4:21 pm Jannie said,
Ah, of course, Jo. Duh, Jannie!! I guess we call ‘em coasters here! (I think) I had a really really cool Newcastle & Brown one once in Mahone Bay. 1995 I think it was! And other cool ones.
Beer is very very good!! I go for lager. And loggers.
Now the most important question — What’s the difference between beer nuts and deer nuts???
xoxoxoxooxxoxoxooxxo
On 7 May 2011 at 9:49 am Jo Miffo said,
Cricky I’m really not sure what the difference is :/ But I do hope I find out before I put the wrong one in my mouth
The pub was called the Labour in vain at Yarnfield
I do have photos of the splendid times we have had, but there’s a possibility that it might take me until my retirement to find them sorry sugar titties, but when I get a free week I’ll route the buggers out
xoxoxox
On 7 May 2011 at 1:10 pm Jannie said,
Oh — beer nuts are $1.39, but deer nuts are under a buck.
Buck = American for quid.
You get it, I’m sure!!
:0
Yarnfield — they do a lot of knitting there??
Hey, remember we went to The Potteries??
I liked the double-decker bus tour best of all sites, except for your smile, of course!!
Oh, Crikey — give me THREE weeks and I’ll organize all my photos too. And give me much tequila for doing so!!
xoxoxoxo
And P.S. Jo — I LOVE YOU!!!!!!
xoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Oh, and when are you retiring? And what will you do then?
xoxooxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 10 May 2011 at 6:03 am Jo Miffo said,
Nuts under a buck!!! WOW!!! What a bargain they are, couldn’t get erm cheaper anywhere in the whole world
But the sure fact is I will never eat 1 or 2 LOL…
Double decker bus tours are freaking amazing
The last one I did was in New York city & just before I got on the tour a homeless man flashed his private bit to me, which wasn’t as amazing as the other sights I saw that day, I was more impressed with the size of the Empire state more so. In fact in my life of 47 years I have been flashed at 4 times, so that roughly is once every 12 years, can’t believe how lucky I am, gee whiz bat man I think its time I took off the badge that says ” All idiots come here to me ”
Today is food shop day BOOOOOOOOOO… Boring as it is some fool as to do it
& of course thats me 
Damn you’re a sexy bitch xoxoxox
On 14 May 2011 at 10:22 am Jannie said,
JO, my darling Jo, sorry for making you wait!! Can you ever forgive me??
Oh, and you are so lucky! I’ve only been flashed at once in my life. Your comment made me laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh.
Yes, I’m dead sexy.
And YOU are kick-arse WONDERFUL!!!!
And in my post Monday, can I or can I not put your link in as your FaceBook page, or just let you remain link-free??
Well, gotta go pee now, then workout with my arm weights a bit.
xoxoxoo