FASHION AT 75 / MY MUSE ....

I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO ONE OF THE MOST FASHION FORWARD WOMEN I KNOW ....

WE CALL HER MOM !

MY MOTHER-IN-LAW , CEDITH, AGE 75, SOON TO BE 76 IN MAY, IS ONE HOT CHICKA !!!
SHE IS MY MUSE, ( if you were with me back in the summer, you met her then as well ). 

SHE WASN'T ALWAYS AS STYLISH AS SHE IS NOW. A SELF-PROCLAIMED "TOM BOY" WHO SWUNG FROM THE TREES AND DONNED ROLLED-UP JEANS AND LOAFERS.

SHE CLAIMS THAT HER HUSBAND "GOT HER STRAIGHT OUT OF DIAPERS" WITH A GRIN, AND HE SAYS THE FIRST THING HE NOTICED ABOUT HER WAS HER BUTT. ( But in his defense, he saw her getting on the school bus from behind ;) SURE, DAD !!!

HER FIRST DRESS, SHE RECALLS, WAS A BLUE FITTED DRESS THAT HER SISTER BOUGHT FOR HER AS SHE WAS HOME-COMING QUEEN HER JR. YEAR AND DIDN'T OWN A DRESS.

( She was a natural, see her pink satin shoes and pink hat ! )

MOM WAS AN AVID READER, SCOURING BOOKS SUCH AS NANCY DREW AND ZANE GRAY NOVELS.

SHE READ A BOOK IN WHICH ONE OF THE CHARACTER'S NAME WAS RODNEY AND SHE KNEW THAT WOULD BE HER SON'S NAME !

THE NEWLY WEDS :)

MOM WORKED HER WAY THROUGH COLLEGE IN BEREA, KY 

( at which time she wanted to be a teacher, but felt the calling to help other's and graduated as an R.N. ) AS HEAD NURSE, SHE TOOK CARE OF MANY VETERANS IN CINCINNATI BEFORE SHE RETIRED.

HER VERY FIRST UNIFORM WAS BLACK STOCKINGS AND SHOES AND A PINAFORE BLACK/WHITE STRIPED APRON. SHE FELT LIKE AN INMATE ;)

( Rod still says she's a rough nurse, tee, hee! )

WHEN SHE REALLY GOT INTO FASHION ....

HER FIRST FASHION PASSION WAS IN THE EARLY 60'S.  A MINT GREEN DRESS AND A BROWN AND WHITE POLKA DOT NUMBER!

ROD REMEMBERS WHEN HE WAS IN SECOND GRADE, HIS MOM CAME INTO THE CLASSROOM AND ONE LITTLE BOY SAID "YOUR MOM LOOKS SEXY IN BLACK".

BUT AS MOST OF US DO, SHE HAD SELF-ESTEEMS ISSUES ABOUT HER BODY. SHE FELT THAT SHE WAS TOO VOLUPTUOUS AND WORE HER CLOTHES TOO BIG TO HIDE HER BODY. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN TIMES WERE SO TIGHT, THAT SHE WOULD BORROW DRESSES TO WEAR TO FUNCTIONS. BUT SHE DIDN'T COMPLAIN, THAT'S NOT HER NATURE.

SHE TAUGHT HERSELF TO SEW 

AND MADE HER FIRST MATERNITY DRESS IN 1959,

( THE FIRST DRESS SHE EVER MADE! ) 

SHE SEWED A LOT DURING THE SEVENTIES ...

( THE MID EIGHTIES )

TODAY SHE PREFERS LAYERS,
NEUTRALS, SILVER OVER GOLD, AND COSTUME JEWELRY OVER THE REAL THING . ( Me too !!! )

WHAT IS HER SECRET TO VITALITY AND HEALTH ???

MOM : " I HAVE BEEN BLESSED BY THE LORD WITH GOOD GENES. I EXERCISE, WALK, CLOGGED AND JAZZERCISED,  LINE DANCED AND AM ALWAYS ON THE MOVE."

SHE IS ALWAYS GIVING AND FEELS SHE IS MEANT TO SERVE OTHERS.

SHE TAKES CARE OF HER BODY AND TREATS IT AS THE TEMPLE IT IS MEANT TO BE.

PLUS SHE LAUGHS ALL THE TIME AND SAYS THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAITH, DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T HAVE FUN !!!

HER TRUEST LOVE IS HER FAMILY !
( left to right: Me, Rod (son), Clee (Dad), Karen (daughter), David, Wrong-way Feldman )

AND HER BIRDS !!!

WORDS OF WISDOM ?

" YOU MUST HAVE FAITH.

    IF YOU HAVE A GOAL, GO FOR IT ! DON'T LET FAILURE  STAND IN YOUR WAY.

THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS EASY ..."

HER BELOVED MOTHER.

MOM IS ALSO A TERRIFIC PHOTOGRAPHER. 

SHE LOVES NATURE AND FEEDS ALL THE BIRDS IN THEIR NECK OF THE WOODS.

I HAVE WISHED SHE WOULD START A BLOG, BUT SHE INSISTS SHE IS JUST TOO BUSY. I BELIEVE IT !!!

AREN'T I BLESSED AS WELL !

OUR FIRST SHOOT :

(link)

TIMELESS BEAUTY