You know I occasionally check my hometown newspaper's website to scan the obituaries (morbid, I know, but I'm at that age). Over this past weekend, I read the obituary of Indiana State Senator Anita Bowser. She was a noted Democrat who championed causes protecting the neediest in the state's population. She was respected on both sides of the aisle for her intelligence and plain and outspoken approach to law making. The picture on her senate page is lovely.
I remember none of those things about Anita Bowser. My first year or so in college was spent at a branch of Purdue University, and in the early 80s, Anita was a political science professor. She taught my American Government class my freshman year, and she was a mess.
Somewhere in my old text book, I have a sketch of her drawn on a particularly dull day in class--her hose sagged at her ankles, her slip showed at least half an inch all the way around, her hair had been slept on but not brushed, and her bright red lip stick looked as if it had been applied with a paint brush while driving over a railroad crossing.
Anita Bowser was disheveled and sloppy, but she really did know her stuff. And because she had first-hand experience in various offices over the years, she was full of anecdotes and inside bits of information about people in the news. This was the beginning of Reagan's first term as president, so you can imagine the heated words she injected into her lectures.
After retiring from the teaching profession, Anita went on to become state representative and eventually state senator. She was a powerful force in Indiana's government for years. So, long live Anita Bowser, the mouthy broad with the matted hair and scuffed shoes.
As an aside, I haven't owned a slip in years. Do people still wear them? And if so, why, for Pete's sake?
I remember none of those things about Anita Bowser. My first year or so in college was spent at a branch of Purdue University, and in the early 80s, Anita was a political science professor. She taught my American Government class my freshman year, and she was a mess.
Somewhere in my old text book, I have a sketch of her drawn on a particularly dull day in class--her hose sagged at her ankles, her slip showed at least half an inch all the way around, her hair had been slept on but not brushed, and her bright red lip stick looked as if it had been applied with a paint brush while driving over a railroad crossing.
Anita Bowser was disheveled and sloppy, but she really did know her stuff. And because she had first-hand experience in various offices over the years, she was full of anecdotes and inside bits of information about people in the news. This was the beginning of Reagan's first term as president, so you can imagine the heated words she injected into her lectures.
After retiring from the teaching profession, Anita went on to become state representative and eventually state senator. She was a powerful force in Indiana's government for years. So, long live Anita Bowser, the mouthy broad with the matted hair and scuffed shoes.
As an aside, I haven't owned a slip in years. Do people still wear them? And if so, why, for Pete's sake?
Comments
"Does not your conscience bother you about that?"
And yes I wear a slip BUT only on the weekends. ;))
Anita sounds like a great lady.
I wish I had more to say about Anita Bowser but she never touched my life.
Dive, I had actually forgotten all about her until I went back to my hometown paper. She was something.
Ms Mac, I never did understand the purpose of them, except to hide legs through shear skirts--but if that's such a problem, then stop wearing shear skirts.
Prudence, you don't own jammies? How does a person survive without a favorite pair of comfy jammies?
Actually if I have to be about the house when the kids are home I wear a t-shirt and shorts.. all year round. I have a very high internal thermostat!
Now. To the interesting bits. A slip; no never. Loathed the things years ago. They never matched the length of your skirt, which in my case was naughtily short. Hence the wretched thing had to be folded over at the waist, making me appear as lumpy as Norah Batty (don't worry you won't know her; anyone lumpy will do). Finally, they were made of hideous nylon so static was your middle name, clinging to your stockings (you'll know, Rich) and making little sparking sounds as you sashayed along the school corridor past the boys.
At home alone, i often wear just a man's shirt so i sympathise Dear Prudence, being hot is no good at all but one needs to cover up (when they're around i decently add knickers to the ensemble, sometimes even pink fluffy slippers). Socks? In winter oh yes but only if i am alone in bed ;) no need if my mayan is there lol. Besides which, glamorous they are not.
Wow the lads have got some inside info on us today haven't they! lol. Well anyway, no-one's home and i'm off to clear out the bottom kitchen cupboard. Shirt? Oh must i? Right, i'll put it on then.
prior to my incarceration -- i mean, inhabitance -- in Small Town on a full-time basis, i wore dresses and skirts. my absolute favorite was an asian style that i wore to les mis in cincinnati and to several weddings. it was a layered dress with a mandarin collared sheer overlay that buttoned at the throat and a keyhole. it was a deep red and i had leather peep-toe heels to match. it was amazing. and whenever i wore it people always reacted to it.
and since the dress was slinky, i wore my favorite slip -- a full-length black one (saves the bunching in the middle, lynn) that made me crave maribou-trimmed kitten heels and a silk wrap every time i pulled it from the drawer.
blasted typo.
Slips: my experiences were a little similar to Lynn's but I did not wear one with my school uniform (the weather is a little milder in Adelaide). I love your explanation Adair - and I think I would have loved to have had a silk slip. I think slips have made a comeback because at long last the younger female generation are beginning to embrace the feminine look, instead of the androgenous fashion which has been the rage since Twiggy created eating disorders for all women.
As for Senator Anita - I have never heard of her but having worked for nearly 20 years for an Australian Senator who incidentally almost (as in influenced by the godbotherers) has a conscience too, she sounds fantastic. If I ever work again, I think I would like to work with a woman (no offence Dive and Rich).
Prudence: you have touched on a COMPLETELY different subject - one of great interest no doubt to the boys - I wear shortie nighties (it's hot here at the moment, ok); around the house but nothing in bed because M.B and my burmese cat Sascha keep me warm + electric blanket and beautiful, cosy doona (the nights are always cool in the hills girls). I also have some cute jammies which are great to do the gardening in, especially when paired with some pink, purple, fur-lined wellies or ugg boots. Never heard of ugg boots? Lambskin boots - a MUST HAVE item in a cool Australian climate. I think we should do a post on ADP about Ugg boots - will suggest it to M.Benaut.
Thanks for having me - will pop in again soon but duty calls - visit to M.B's 97 year old auntie - part of my week's duties to cheer her up and take fresh flowers. A bientot.
And I'll leave y'all with that thought!
LOL!
;)
SHUT UP RICH!
HI ROBYN! Fun thread! ;)