Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday is now a cooperative effort in it's seventh round, which has reached the letter G.This is just to let you know that I'm still around, although not with the blue hair with which my Webcam portrayed me. I wanted to show off those new green fingernails that have become part of my new identity, but it was too hard to hold a camera in one hand to tkae a picture of the other. Hence the Webcam.
When I found that I would most often be seen in public in a wheelchair, I also found that I was invisible as a real person, especially when accompanied by one of my children (all still vertical).
"What would she like?" the waiter would ask. "When would she prefer the return flight?" "Can she walk a few feet through the door?" "What color does she prefer?" "What size does she take?"
"Hey!" I wanted to shout. "Ask me. I'm not brain-dead!" It seemed that I was only some inert freight to be carted from place to place but never required to speak.
So I painted my fingers with iridescent green fingernail polish. It worked! People said, "I love your green fingernails." They didn't say, "I love HER green fingernails." When I began going about unaccompanied on my electrical wheelchair, I regained most of my identity as a sentient being. By then I had become an acquaintance to many wonderful new friends here in Port Townsend. They would be disappointed if I ever appeared without green fingernails. I have bought enough bottles of it to last for several years.
At one time I thought the way to gain recognition as a real person would be to dye my hair shocking pink, like my favorite author and blogger, Laini Taylor. I'm still considering it. What do you think?
21 comments:
you have successfully moved from one lovely place to another, Granny Smith; i am happy to see that transition. Wooden Boat Festival draws my husband and I every couple years; we may see you.
Lynda M Otvos
Richmond CA
Good for you Granny I take my hat off to you.
Green nails are perfect and go for the shocking pink hair.
Glad you are getting out and about.
I believe people treated me differently when I wore a headscarf while undergoing chemo. Mostly people looked down & ignored me.
It was my aim to educate them & I used to talk to them and often they talked back. I am glad you are doing something similar!
Maggie X
Nuts in May
Well I thinking green fingernails and pick hair might just be the ticket!!
Amazing what happens when you are wheelchair bound. Our daughter experienced that after a car accident. They would talk to me, not her!!
Enjoyed your blog!
You're right about folks overlooking people over perceived limitations - glad you found a way to address it, in a most clever manner.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
I think you could pull off pink hair, from what I've read here I think you can do anything and make it classy and fun
Good one Granny! If I were you, I'd save the pink hair idea for a rainy day. You expressed the sad reality of people's behavior so cleverly. I think it's great you get out and about - and you're blogging too!
Go for it! But maybe you could dye your hair to match your fingernails. Laini's hair is cool. I've been tempted to go fire engine red, just because I'm at that 'disappeared' age, too, AND I have leftover red nail polish from the disco days!
I've written a poem about your attitude and dedicated it to you!Enjoy!
http://rinklyrimes.blogspot.com/2010/09/invisibility.html
those hair looks cool,
smart way to convince people...
Such fun.
Wish I were a granny. I would join you in a flash;
We could set up a club. I can just see the headlines:
"Grannies going Green".
I am also a senior citizen and I worry about losing my independence. I am going to remember the nail painting trick. Blue hair... I can also remember a time when older women with white hair added a tinge of blue colouring to it.
Thanks for the nice posting. Keep it up!
Well done, you! Shocking pink hair would make quite an impact but a different colour every week or two might be even more fun.
Great idea! I love the way you think. As for the pink hair....why not? :)
I'm not sure I could do green, but I admire your bravery. besides, it makes a wonderful G word.
I think your green fingernail polish is a great idea. Congrats on being a blog of note for the letter G.
Well, there you go! Wear a jaunty green cap to match or put polka dots or flowers on your nails, too! It's so fun to do.
Hi there Granny Smith,
I applaud your determination to be seen as a person. In my career before being an artist, I worked with physically challenged folks and I sure felt awful the way so many people treat others who are different from them. Even the few times, I've been in a wheelchair, like from surgery, what you describe has happened to me and grrrr, it's infuriating.
You found a delightful sparkling way (that iridescent color is gorgeous)to bring attention back to you. As an independent green-eyed lady (Gel, my blog name is short form for Green-Eyed Lady) who loves the color green and often sports unusual nail polish colors, perfect color choice! I don't think you need pink hair unless it's something you want to do. If you feel like experimenting, then go for it!
I'm glad the chair has given you mobility and wish you the very best.
My blog is not connected to my google account, so here is it's link
Click here for my ABC Wed, please.
-GEL
I am pleased to hear you are sharp of mind still Granny. I say "Stick it to 'em, Go Granny".You tell them.
Nothing like a spunky spirit to see you through the rough patches. Pink hair? Maybe. But I like the idea of going with additional polish colors. Black or peacock blue, anyone?
You're so gracious, I'd say " Excuse me, I'm not dead, deaf, or dense! ASK Me PLEASE!" The nail polish is a great idea! As for the hair....you go girl, but I'm with Sue, the matching green would be cool! Warning..it can fade pretty fast being difficult and expensive to maintain!
Hugs Giggles
I love the green fingernails :)
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