And a Hundred Years From Today, All You People Will Be Gone Away

Shirt reads: I have a migraine and no context for this.

Like all the best tee shirts in my wardrobe this one comes from the lovely people at Shifty Thrifting. I believe it  references an argument someone was having online that ended with the quote. I fully intend to wear it to my next neurologist's appointment. I think she'd laugh. She did look horrified when I mentioned being a perfume collector and how I hope that doesn't end up being a migraine trigger for me. I think the horror came when I mentioned (roughly) how many bottles of perfume I own. I haven't worn any in weeks because honestly, I'm afraid to do anything that might be migraine inducing but sooner or later I'll give in and fingers crossed it goes well. Most of my migraines seem to come from bad sleep and bright light. 

If you're looking for a creative gift the Shifty shop has more than shirts. There's mugs, tote bags and even stickers. Supporting artists has been a priority for us during the pandemic and you couldn't ask for nicer people. Anyway, that's my plug for our friends.

I had another birthday. Here's one from long ago, but I know it was a birthday because I had to pose with the gift for a photo. I always thought that was a strange activity, but I'm told other people did that too, particularly if the gift came from a far off relation, then the photo could go in the thank you note. This was a gift from my mother. Years later, when I lived in Boston I gave the dollhouse to a friend that had four sons and one daughter. She was looking to buy something that would be special just for her and knowing boys wouldn't go within a hundred yards of a dollhouse, I offered her mine. It had been sitting in a box since 1978, and it made me happy to see it go to someone that would enjoy it. I was never really the doll house type, but that didn't stop my mother hoping I'd become one.  One more disappointment.

This birthday was a much more sedate affair and I took a hard pass on wearing white trousers in February in Chicago (what were you thinking, younger self?). Some flowers and a card were given and then I went to bed early. Wild party! 

After an appointment with an endocrinologist, it was decided I should wear a blood glucose monitor 24/7 for two weeks. This should catch if I am having any problems overnight with my numbers getting too low. Lately they've been really good during the day, so maybe things have straightened themselves out. That would be nice. I don't enjoy pricking my fingers all day long to draw blood and take readings. This thing is great-I forget it is there. 

Crappy mirror selfie but I wanted to show you my shark's teeth shirt. Sometimes I wear this one to the dentist for laughs. 

This sweat suit was a rare purchase of new casual attire (aside from the novelty tee shirts) but it has been in constant use since spring. It is rare to get a good quality cotton fleece that doesn't shed fluff everywhere, but this one never did. The inside is very soft, something I appreciate even more now as my skin is painful to the touch. Target has some nice stuff, and there was something on the tag (I've since discarded it) about sustainable cotton growing and responsible water usage. There's so much waste out there, but hopefully this will provide years of use if not to me, to someone. The zipper on the top is heavy and well made. 

The bathroom has the best light in the house at the moment. February is grim in Nebraska. 

Never thought to wear these two pieces together. I rather like how it looks, though I only selected this jacket because I was too tired to look for the one I planned to wear. I'm sure it is on the rail in the basement but this turned out even better. Don't you love when that happens? 

Silly pose as I try to show the shoes but end up looking like I just dismounted a horse. Howdy, pardners.

Some details of the jacket

The jacket was a Christmas gift several years ago. Lightweight wool, but beautifully lined in silk and surprisingly warm.

I should wear it more than I do. I've left it downstairs over the back of a dining room chair to remind me to wear it, Will it work? Time will tell. 

There's the shoes and handbag I was trying to show in the earlier photo. The shoes are by Selby which is known as a comfort shoe brand. So yes, they're for old ladies, and I am an old lady. They're perfect. 

The dress is rather "old lady" as well, though a proper old lady would have had a slip in the correct length for it. I own a LOT of slips but somehow never have one that's exactly right for the job. 

I laughed when someone suggested the print on this dress is "a little vagina-ish". 

If your vagina is looking anything like that, better book an appointment with your gynaecologist right away. Geez people, is that all we have to do?!

This giant, heavy brooch that I think was originally a pendant is a mystery. I know I have seen it before and it is meant to be a replica, but my brain isn't putting it together. Scythian? Viking? Meso American?  No idea. I know you're all smart, so maybe someone knows what it is. 

I had to own something with my zodiac sign on it. 

The rubies set in cheap metal, not gold. Yeah, I don't know why either but it is a beautiful piece even if it isn't particularly valuable. 

Crazy 80s jumpsuit, anyone?

Can't touch this😁

I would NOT have worn this in the 80s. I bought it because it was a good piece for my collection as it is representative of  late 80s silliness, and purple too! I didn't expect to ever wear it, but it fit so, here we are. I'm wearing a bodysuit beneath it as it is too low-cut for my tastes.

1980s leather clutch

The maker label. Not a brand I'm familiar with. 

It was fun to wear once, but back it goes into the collection storage. I can't see myself making a habit of dressing like this. Nuisance too, when I need the toilet.

An interesting bit of layering inspired by a crochet mini dress that I was having difficulty figuring out how to wear. I thought it would look good over jeans, but it didn't. Finally hit upon this idea and I rather like it. 

There's some beading on the dress as well, though it is hard to see in photos.

It didn't look like much on the rail either, but it was a "last chance" purchase and set me back a dollar. I guess no one else knew what to do with it either!

You've seen the skirt before, by 80s brand Star CCC. A shiny grey skirt is always going to be practical. Please appreciate the dramatic pose. There's a reason I'm not a model. Well, there's several reasons starting with my appearance, but I wouldn't be very good at it anyway. It just veers into Zoolander territory when I try. 

Still, I don't want to take myself too seriously either. 

Thought you might enjoy a selfie from the powder room. Yes, that mirror needs cleaning. I clean the mirror almost daily but somehow the male need to turn both taps on as high as they will go so that the full force of water sprays everywhere-well, I can't seem to break them of that habit and I've stopped trying. It is easier to just clean the mirror. I choose my battles wisely. 

I'm spending less time on Instagram of late. Partly that's down to the endless scrolling bothering my eyes and all the video/reels flashing by. I don't need to actively encourage a migraine. But it is also partly the general mood over there . I've been witnessing some terribly cruel mean girls type behaviour from people that really ought to know better. I don't know if it is jealousy, or something to do with business competition, but whatever it is, I don't like it. Valid criticism is one thing but when they start piling on and tearing someone apart because they think she charges too much for her vintage and ends with attacks on the size of her behind, well that's my cue to leave. I've unfollowed/blocked so many people in the past couple of weeks. Mob mentality scares me, and I don't want to be a party to it even if I'm silently scrolling through. Has anyone else noticed Instagram getting crueler than usual lately? Some poor woman (and she's a lovely person) got told she looked like a gnome in giant boots. I just don't understand what goes through people's minds.  Decades from now, do they think anyone will care? Or they'll look at the exchanges and think, "Oh yeah, that was right, that lady did have a big bum". I promise it won't matter. In a sea of awfulness, history won't care about your Instagram posts. 

I'm guilty of my share of unintentional cruelty, so why go looking to be horrible for the hell of it? God only knows how I'm being trash-talked but thankfully no one has said it to my face. I understand that there are a number of people that "Hate follow" accounts or worse, follow chronic illness accounts waiting for someone to die. I've not directly encountered either, but yeah-we need to do better as a species. Maybe the next epoch will be ruled by cats. If they don't like you they just ignore you or walk away. I did have to block someone here, but only after very fair warning. I don't know what their issue is, but I do know that I can't put up with it. So far that's been a very rare occurrence. 

Wow, that got off topic. Sorry. Back to the clothes.

This is a Cyn Les by Shirlee sweater from the 70s.

Silly pose? Check. 

Wooden beads over a textured vinyl. Strange one of a kind bag.

This is my other Cyn Les sweater featuring a cheeky giraffe. I don't think all of their sweaters featured giraffes, but the two I own do.

Here's the first sweater worn a few years ago with corduroy shorts (which I regret donating) and some boots I've been waiting for it to get cold enough to wear. The shark on the door was put up after it became public knowledge that the then president was terrified of sharks. 

Would you just look at that smirk?

The 70s weren't all novelty sweaters and corduroys though. There were polyester maxi dresses.

This dress is another of those, "Good example of the style" pieces I never envisioned myself wearing. It was surprisingly comfortable for polyester knit, but it is cool enough outside to keep from sweating. I think this was intended as a spring/summer dress but definitely not in Nebraska. I'd die of heat stroke if I wore this in summer. 

I couldn't decide between orange or white plastic accessories and in the end went with copper and white enamel. That seemed like a good decision. 

I'll leave you with what I wore today. Nothing fancy that you haven't seen before, but pulled together enough to look like I made an effort. That'll do.

An old snakeskin bag I should use more.

and one last silly pose. 

The line from this song that I've used as a post title always made me a little sad, but I read it a little differently now that I'm older. The song is worth a listen if only for the god-tier songwriting talent that was Paul Kantner rhyming "Thebes" with "Seas". Nobody else was doing that. 

Long John Silver was probably my favourite Airplane record and definitely the one I played most when I was young. I've been playing it along with other old favourites to see how they hold up and yes, this record still works. I've been thinking of putting together some playlists of old, strange, guilty pleasure, all of the above type music. My musical tastes are all over the place, so it could be fun. And strange. Anyway, this was the only recording I could find to share. See you next time.