I know that it is customary in the blogosphere to put a photo of yourself on your blog. As I understand it, the reasoning goes that by showing the world what you look like, more people will be interested in what you have to say. You will be legit.
[I have my doubts about the truth of this assumption, but that isn’t what I’m in the mood to talk about today.]
So, not wanting to seem standoffish or out-of-touch, I decided to look for a picture of me. This project seemed easy enough until I realized that I have very few photos of me. I think that I must have been Amish in another life because I don’t like to have my photo taken. Ever.
Still, I persevered and eventually I found this photo of me, age 3 (maybe 4?).
I think that this photo is close enough to what I look like now to qualify as a current photo of me. I still squint when looking into the sun. I still have short blonde, sometimes curly, not quite straight hair. I still have a rather casual approach to everyday outfits.
However, there are two important things about me that have changed since this photo was snapped. First, I wear glasses all the time.
[Feel free to print this photo and draw glasses on me. Make them kind of rectangular, rimless, with no-line bifocals– and make them very expensive.]
And second, I no longer carry a toy gun with me wherever I go. I cannot overemphasize this point enough.
You see, this photo was taken during my “Wyatt Earp/Dale Evans” phase when I was convinced that if I dragged this gun around with me all the time, I’d eventually get my parents to buy me a cute little cowgirl outfit. My tactics failed. I never got the outfit and at some point a few months after this photo was taken, my little gun mysteriously got broken and was thrown out.
While it’s true that I never achieved my cowgirl dreams, this photo of me and the toy gun remains today. And because of it I can show the world who I really am. Or was. And more importantly, I can show the world that I’m a serious blogger with a picture of myself clearly posted for everyone to see.
THE SPECTACLED BEAN 
Where’s your hand-drawn moustache? That’s what I wore at that time to make the cowboy theme authentic. I owned no toy handguns, but “borrowed” my brother’s at times to accent the cowboy boots and — not meaning to brag here — my VEST…
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Sherry, you were more clever than I was at that age. I just tried to subtly influence my parents with a hint of what I wanted. I should of been more proactive, it seems.
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Like the picture!! Very Cute! Also like your blog! I was in Columbus over the weekend at my Aunt’s funeral. Rain and then snow…..no wonder I love Texas!
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Hey there Ruth. I’m happy that you found my blog. I like the picture, too. It’s kind of a goof– but then so am I!
(Sorry to hear about your aunt.)
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I wouldn’t have noticed the toy gun, so I’m glad you mentioned it. I’ll avoid making you angry–just in case that Dale Evans phase comes back. Cute photo! I was very blond too when younger, but became brunette in my late teens.
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Margaret, when I first found this photo I didn’t notice the gun either. Then when I started looking at the photo I saw it and I remembered how much I wanted to be a cowgirl. Shattered dreams, I tell ‘ya. 🙂
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i went through an annie get your gun phase as a child.
i don’t normally have pictures of myself on my blog either, but this week was different. i was trying to encourage myself to get dressed properly. 🙂 you know, be presentable in public. but it was more for me than for anyone else.
do the amish really not like having their pictures taken?
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Right, because now it’s a real gun! Great to read your writing again, Ally 🙂
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julochka, I’ve always been told that the Amish don’t like to have their photos taken because it robs them of their sense of self– or something like that. I probably should of researched that more before I said it.
Michelle, lol here. Glad that you found me. I have no interest in being a daily blogger again, but once or twice a week I’ll try to post something. I’m going to be a much more relaxed blogger than before. Simplify… don’t you know?!
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So glad you are blogging again. I still say you need to write a book. I love your style!
A wonderful picture and a wonderful memory for you! Kris is the one in our family who got a full cowgirl outfit with a red cowgirl hat!
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Beth, thanks for the compliment. I don’t know that I have it in me to write a whole book, but a few blog posts every once in awhile I can do.
I bet that Kris looked adorable as a cowgirl.
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