Palette Party

In this photo: Rebecca, Little Guy, Lindsey Rowe, Paula and Caroline. This was the whole group in 1956. Yet to join us were Jimmy, Kay, Keith and Mike. Many times when we were at Mawmaw's together we would sleep and take our naps on palettes. In this age where children in the U.S. are likely to each have their own room with en suite bath, few will know what a palette is. My definition is a layer of blankets or quilts on the floor in the living room, dining room (under the table was always best), on the screened porch,etc. where a child or a group of children would lay for a nap or a night's sleep. We loved the palettes. There was something cozy and other wordly about getting the chance to sleep on the floor and especially under the table. Trying to sleep with a group of children who were a variety of ages can be a challenge. I can remember we all learned quickly not to put our feet on Paula as she was likely to bite. She just hated for anyone to touch her with their feet. Mawmaw made a game out of nap time or night sleep. Imagine being able to con five children into thinking they were on a great palette adventure. I think Paula is toting a gun in a holster in this photo. You don't see children playing with guns anymore but this was a more innocent time when guns meant cowboys and Indians. Playing cowboys and Indians is most likely not even politically correct now. We had such a charmed childhood, surrounded by the women who loved us. Claudia, Lille, Sally.

Lindsey, Paula and I are sporting hair dos that were known as a Pixie. We had these hair dos because mother did not want to put our hair in pig tails and pony tails anymore. I imagine that mornings were less chaotic without all that hair to brush and put up. Hair washing day must have been made easier as well. No more crying and fussing about tangled hair caught in a brush or comb.

Can you imagine what those Pixies looked like after a nap or a night's sleep on a palette? A bushy mess.

Lindsey is holding Caroline. Lindsey was a good big sister, cousin. In many childhood photos she can be seen holding the younger ones. She was our leader. We all looked up to her. Whatever she ate, we wanted to eat. Whatever she did, we wanted to do. Whatever palette she was on, we wanted to be on too.