A Time To "sew"/ a Time To Reap

The time was 1969, the place- Home-Economics class in junior high. While guys got sent 
to “shop,” those of us of the softer sex learned culinary skills. I loved those days when the 
room was filled with the sounds of our chatting, laughing and clanging pots and pans, as we 
busied  ourselves preparing meals before sitting down at our group tables to enjoy the fruits 
of our labors. That was my first semester. In the next semester came. . . .SEWing.

Gone were the room’s former tantalizing odors. And the tables once used for sampling 
our experiments in cooking had been ominously transformed. Now there were patterns 
we’d been asked to buy in fabric stores pinned onto pieces of material and laid out
across the center of each table. Those forms for clothing-yet-to-be,  strange maps imprinted 
with vertical and horizontal lines and codes along their edges, confused and overwhelmed 
me. The implements of baking -  mixing bowls, pans, and the cups and spoons for 
measuring - had been replaced by a much less comforting display of thread and thimbles, 
sewing machines, binding tape and scissors. 

With zero scintillation and  after the befuddling explanations from my teacher,
I somehow ended up with a hot pink mini dress(actually wearable!) with white trim 
amateurishly attached, and. . .for all my effort, the stunning grade of C. 

Thankfully, in high school I discovered among a broader choice of electives, Creative Writing 
Class, my time to sparkle!


For Carol Brown's "Story Time" (just one story of many that would comprise my bio)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Babcock Avatar
October 18, 2010 at 8:16 AM
This brought back so many memories of that time. The wonderful cooking smells, the time we canned pears and the sugar had worms in it so we could not eat them. The sewing class where I did not like to sew and still don't yet my mom sews beautiful clothes, knits, crochets, does quilts and crafts. In younger days worked in a sewing factory. yes, I love the high school days but more for the laughter, fun and friends. God Bless Phyl
Walters Avatar
September 24, 2010 at 6:30 AM
Beautifully done! I love these little "flash fiction" sort of pieces. This would be a lovely quilt square in your king- sized quilt bio. I enjoyed home ec, but I loved shop ;) haha. I think I would have adored a creative writing class!! Nicely done, softee :D hugs, kris
Chachere Avatar
September 17, 2010 at 7:47 PM
lol.pfft, what ever you teacher was going on rambling excessively about? woah, that blew me away.im with you on the creative writing, much more simple.haha.did you wear that dress?? ~Always&Forever Lynette
Wilson Avatar
September 16, 2010 at 10:57 PM
this was such a reminder to me of my own home-ec experience!LOL ! Luckily I found creative writing class too.. this is a great contest entry..And thanks for getting my double meaning in the last line of my poem"the first thanksgiving"..was hoping someone would!
Austin Avatar
September 16, 2010 at 1:48 PM
I would've taken home ec, but I was very, very fat and I think the teacher would have been against it. Same with sewing. There wasn't enough material to make me anything at all - well, maybe a hat. Love, Dave
Smalling Avatar
September 16, 2010 at 1:28 PM
The memories are beautiful and familiar, I love the treatment of them, my friend
Docherty Avatar
September 16, 2010 at 1:41 AM
Smiles what charming memories you entice from the reader with your own mixed in... this was a super idea to recount a past experience and share... lol. Think I about middled along in most things really... Thanks for sharing this delightful piece and for commenting today too. Kindest thoguhts and sweet dreams... Goodnight, Anna-Marie.
Neels Avatar
September 16, 2010 at 1:31 AM
Andrea, you write brings back memories of me ending up in the principal's office for skipping showing class, the next year first subject I dropped was sewing hehe.. Enjoyed this glimpse into your life.. Best wishes for Carol's contest.. Luv Wilma Ps: No I posted them on different days, I think you missed them ;)
Horsman Avatar
September 15, 2010 at 11:50 PM
good luck with this very interesting bio. Harry
Delacroix Avatar
September 15, 2010 at 7:46 PM
Very cool story, Andrea! Good luck in the contest. Best wishes, Caroline.
Anish Avatar
September 15, 2010 at 4:08 PM
i remember shop class where I made a lamp. Your story brings back memories of high school where i read "Childhood's End" and "Anna Karenina" . Nice "slice of life". Love Matthew Anish
Richards Avatar
September 15, 2010 at 3:52 PM
Indeed your writing does sparkle !!! You write, and inspire with all your work.... (you can always buy your clothes at the nearest Mall !! Lol !)
Milgate Avatar
September 15, 2010 at 2:24 PM
Relate totally!!! Just saw an old picture of me in my homemade dress. Tragic. Thank goodness life moved on. Glad you went to creative writing class!!
Sweetheart Avatar
September 15, 2010 at 1:19 PM
An excellent Bio Andrea and so full of information about u and great times in high school...I always had Academics classes so never got to do these classes ..but Mom showed me how ... good luck in the contest.. a sure to please poem for the winners circle luv.. enjoyed ...
R Avatar
September 15, 2010 at 11:44 AM
I so hate sewing, Andrea...I really get where this is coming from...thanks for sharing your memories with us...have a nice day and best wishes in the contest!:) Emilia
Peranteau Avatar
September 15, 2010 at 11:30 AM
What a great Bio Deborah ! Yep, takes me back to high school when my school was doing new things, like, boy's taking home-ec...I'll let "Scooby Doo" bio the rest of my story. *smiles* ty for the read poet ! james
Devonshire Avatar
September 15, 2010 at 8:08 AM
LOL Not everyone takes to sewing, but it is in my family -- that's how my grandmother made her living and the genes were passed down. I did take the same courses you took, but our cooking class only taught breakfast foods. Not much help. Already knew how to cook them. Like you, I enjoyed the creative writing class very much, but journalism had to be my favorite. Best wishes in the contest. This is a funny write, Andrea, and should do well! Love, Carolyn
K. Avatar
September 15, 2010 at 7:32 AM
Hahaha I could definitely relate to this one, Andrea!! I suck at sewing!! Anything to do with it--even the cross-stitching-- and when we had to sew aprons and stuff -- I had to ask my older sisters to do it for me, or my mom-- lol!! Let me cook anytime, just don't let me sew please!! Enjoyed reading this one :) sure gave me another aspect of you :) wish you the best in the contest--hugs nikko :)
La France Avatar
September 15, 2010 at 6:57 AM
Thanks for commenting on my poetry, Andrea, and I am just fine thanks. I think this is a wonderful story, and I know it is true as I did almost the same thing, learned to make green peas on toast, yuk, and made a skirt suitable for an tent in hot pink, no trim, for me... happy you found creative writing eventually... best of luck in the contest...
Kendrick Avatar
September 15, 2010 at 5:16 AM
Glad to read a true story from your life...Home Economics was where I did shine..Made all A's in those classes..I can see this one in the winners' circle for sure..Good luck in the contest..I appreciate you stoppiing by, reading, and commenting on my work..I am to go this AM for a spinal block which the drs think will help with my back pain..I have to wait at home until they call so that I won't have to spend so much time waiting at the hospital..Thanks for asking..Sara
Culverhouse Avatar
September 15, 2010 at 4:19 AM
enjoyed reading your work. I decided that I could be entertaining in college writing class. Our teacher made us turn in a journal each week that did not have to be grammatically correct. she seemed to like my wit and humor. wish I had kept that book.
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