Thursday 31 May 2012

Photos; Silverhip and I

I know I've said this before and will, no doubt, say it again . . . I really must sort my photos out. I had to flick through several hundred pictures to find these. I've probably missed some but that's alright. Along the way I saw many others that I would love to post but they can wait until their part of the story.
So here are a few taken during Silverhip's reign (circa '79 - '82)



On a day visit to London, Carnaby Street to buy some chenille hippy coats with tassels. The monkey's top matches the Peruvian alpaca jumper that Silverhip was wearing . . . Note the brown corduroy jacket ;-) also the tuft where I'd got fed up of trying to grow my fringe out . . . and chopped the middle bit off!


Our Cossack Dnepr 650, sprayed red with white hand-painted coach-lines by Silverhip. The back passenger seat was a good foot above the front seat. There was so much snow that winter, that we were the only vehicle able to leave the village. We would fill the side-car with provisions and the occasional Christmas tree to take back to the villagers.












Ooo ya bugga . . . My Dad's and his Angel's wedding. See my Afghani dress and clogs!? No, that was not the fashion . . . that was just me, I think. Moving swiftly on . . .





One of the city flats that Silverhip made into our home, before we moved to the country. As well as being a very talented musician and silversmith, he was very skilled in renovation of most things and taught me how to re-cane the seats of those chairs, how to decorate, make lampshades, grow plants and forgive people. He taught me how to smile, how to laugh and how to talk. Anyway that's all in the Silverhip posts . . . these are just the pictures. I hope you enjoyed them.



27 comments:

  1. I think the dress and clogs were a fringe fashion. I definitely had clogs then. It all looks so nostalgic - I have so few photos of that time. And you look adorable.

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    1. Hi Jeannie . . . Yes, fringe being the operative word! I had fringe issues (among others) One minute, I had a fringe . . then I didn't, then I had half a fringe with the middle chopped out! I think I had trouble making decisions, I'm not sure.
      O I found some classics today whilst I was looking for these . . . hilarious.
      Thanks Jeannie x

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  2. I've been looking forward to seeing some of your old photos and these did not disappoint! I really enjoyed this post...and got a bit misty eyed. That photo of you and Silverhip with the monkeys is absolutely priceless. Your smile is so beautiful and exudes pure happiness. The dress you wore to your dad's wedding is gorgeous and would no doubt sell for a pretty penny at a vintage shop here in the states. I love the photo of your loft - it looks so warm and cozy with all the plants.

    So, he taught you how to smile, laugh, talk, decorate, repair things...and forgive people...He sounds like the true angel you needed after such a crazy, confusing childhood. What a blessing! I can see his adoration for you shining through his eyes in these photos. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the story. That last photo of you in the garden is gorgeous. You look so young, free, ALIVE...that girl is still in you, ya know? Just wiser now, but her beauty shines through in everything you share here.

    Okay, I need to locate the tissues. I'll never understand why I get so blubbery and nostalgic looking at photos that aren't even mine. Your story has taken hold of my heart.

    As always, sending smiles and warmest wishes...

    ~xo~

    jenn

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    1. Hi JJ,
      I'm so pleased you enjoyed them, it was your post and photos that made me look for these, thanks.
      Yeah, he was just what I needed at the time . . . But, as the story tells, I had a darker, crazy side that just wouldn't settle for someone, something, so good and wholesome. He comes back into the story later on though.
      I'm hoping I'll get some time to get on with my "story" now Hamper G is at school.
      Bless your heart. I got quite emotional too last night, reading about your Mum and thinking of how on earth she coped . . . And then you there with your beloved Snoopy.
      Love and smiles to you too x

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  3. this blog entry dovetails into mine today... looking back and forward all at the same time
    x

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  4. You look really sweet in that last pic.

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    1. Thanks TSB, Just shows how deceptive looks can be ;-)

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  5. Good lord - the fashion sense - the suits at least for me take me back to old family weddings in the 70s! I had a lovely bottle green one with big lapels... my wife nearly dies when my mother suggested I didn't need a new suit for our wedding but could use that... one of those "the wedding may be off" moments!

    You look so happy in all these shots. Maybe that is why I never have kept many of mine in so many I looked either angry, miserable or lost.

    The monkeys... oh brother that brings back a memory. Mrs F hates monkeys (I've no idea why) but in Brighton one day a guy tries to put one on her shoulder to take a picture. Suddenly he is up against the wall and she is snarling in his face "You try and touch me with that fleabitten thing again pal and you'll be pulling it legs first out of your arsehole"... My brother was with us - he looked at me and raised his eyebrow with a sort of "You are marrying that mate? You quiet sure about all this"... just a few mms of movement in the brow but so much unsaid! LOL!

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    1. Furtheron . . . Good fun isn't it looking back?
      I think Silverhip borrowed the suit from his Dad.
      Yes, I suppose I was happy most of the time, still am really . . . I just had to mess it all up, still do really! O Boy.
      I love the way the top monkey is looking down so arrogantly at the one being cradled "Ha, I got the shoulder, Baby!"
      . . . And he is screaming up at him "Shut the fuck up, wanker!"
      All good fun . . . I enjoyed an extra hour in bed this morning . . . now I'm wishing they were at school!!
      Only ten more days.
      Thanks for your story, have a good 'un x

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  6. I love the old singer sewing machine and all of the hanging plants. That was our era huh! I still wear clogs and Birkenstocks...I hate having my feet stuck inside closed shoes. You were adorable! Your smile is so sweet and fresh.

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    1. Hi Annette. . Yeah, I thought you might recognise a few bits and bobs ;-)
      I still wear clogs . . . and as I was saying to Kiwigirl, if I could find a cheescloth dress, I would still wear one. I'm gonna look on-line for one.
      My smile is still the same . . . I just wish my teeth were! O well . . it could be worse
      Glad you enjoyed this Annette x

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  7. is that you!!?? you're very pretty ;-)

    hey do you think this is you: cyclothymia

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/17/AR2005121700892.html

    if you get more serious lows your bipolar ii

    yes i know everyone at na is cuckoo, i'm just annoyed at them (still) for solidly assuming i was on crack when i told them i was only on methadone. why would anyone bother going to na to lie? that's ridiculous. anyway i'm going back to the nearest meeting on monday. i don't fucking care what anyone thinks. nobody seems to think i'm on crack now btw, that was last year when i was hyper all the time

    are you doing anything for the diamond jube? i was wondering whether i'm sposed to be watching telly at a certain time, but i have no idea what's supposed to happen when. isn't the queen getting dragged up the river on a golden barge? won't there be another rock concert at buckingham palace? i love the bit when brian may played God save the Queen last time on that electric guitar... happy daze!

    o yeah i'm determined to give the b a permanent break now, being a smackhead on the queen's diamond jubilee is just too much!

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  8. Hi Gledwood . . . Yeah that's me, Thanks!
    You're determined to find me a diagnosis aren't you ;-)
    Yeah that bloke at N/A always assumes I'm lying . . . I know what you mean, it's bloody annoying. As you say, why would anyone bother lying. He (the leader) manages to annoy me almost every week with some flippant comment or another . . . but it's the only N/A I can get to at the minute, so I'll "keep going back" and try not to let him bother me. I hope you do the same Gledwood, because it don't matter what they think about us.
    I'm not sure what's on tv . . . I think it's the "river thing" tomorrow, O it's today now. I doubt I'll be doing anything different really, I wish the Sun would come back out; I was getting into the gardening.
    Me too, I'm really gonna try to not get "pulled back to that" again . . . I know it's easy said, and sometimes it seems like a constant battle but I'll keep trying and I know you will.
    Hey, how good would it be if we could both say that we never used after the "Diamond-Jube" . . . OK, one day at a time. Just for today.
    Take care and Happy Jube, with love x

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  9. Great photos, a real trip (pun intended!) back in time..HA! I think I had a jacket like yours in that first pic.
    What strikes me about the pictures is how our experiences shape us.. make us who we are today.

    Life is an adventure, a mystery. I'm in wonder of it every day.

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    1. Hi Lou,
      I searched E bay last night for one of those Afghan dresses, there was a simlilar one for £250 . . . I had three!
      Yes, I learned more from Silverhip, both practical and social skills, than at any other time of my life.
      Loving your new "blog". Thanks for being here Lou x

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  10. You are very pretty and your hubby is hansome.Are those your monkeys?I love that pic of you and your hubby and 3 monkeys.

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    1. Hi Bev . . . That was 33 years ago, he was almost my Hubby, but then so were a few others. No, the monkeys were just thrown on us, then a picture taken, which we paid for. I doubt it's legal anymore.
      I've started telling some of my life story here under "Flashes from the archives". I'd already posted part of this guys "era", so these were the photos to go with it.
      Thanks for reading here, take care.

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  11. Loved looking at these! I am convinced we would have been friends if we had known each other back then. You were (and still are!) very pretty. I can see why you were attracted to Silver from the things you wrote about him, and he looks just like I would have imagine, artistic, tall, long hair, soulful eyes.

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    1. O for sure, Barbara we would have been . . . I've often said on this blog and on yours, we've had very similar lives, especially where men are concerned . . First the good guy, then the bad, then a bit more good (to get over the bad), then some bad (when the good got boring ;-) . . . O boy, no wonder we're having a break from them . . . Well mine could be partly menopausal I suppose. Long may it last. x

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  12. I would like to send you a photo of me with the long hair from only about 15 years ago. There are moments when I'm sorry that I cut it. It is tucked away in a box somewhere. Anyway, the photos are marvelous. I am still that hippie at heart, even through the work and career. Your dress reminds me of my wife's wedding dress which was long and made of burgundy velvet. Thanks for sharing these. Many memories of a lost era.

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    1. Hi Syd, I would love to see your photo. Strangely enough I started drawing your blog photo a while back (the eye and fringe photo) . . . I haven't had time to continue with it yet, but I always enjoying drawing eyes and that one caught my attention. (hope that's ok)
      My Sister in law wore burgundy velvet too . . . 2006 style though. I have so many old photos that I'll share eventually. Hundreds of them. I'm so glad I kept them all.

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  13. you are so beautiful in these photos! Thank you for posting them I really enjoyed them! 1 observation, I love the way you write about silver hip despite all the ups n downs you may have had, I can really tell how much you love him.

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    1. Thanks Susie, I have some degree of loving feelings towards all of my exes . . . There was never any animosity between me and them even when we split. Apart from one . . . I will get there with the "Archives", my next archive post should be ready tonight; I struggled with this one.
      Hope you're well Susie and have stabilised again . . . I'm back on day four at the minute. O well, four days is four more than I could do last year ;-)
      Take care and thanks for being here x

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  14. LOVE!! I am absolutely in love with that dress and your style in general. And Silverhip! Oh he was so hot. I have always loved that Jesus/hippe/southern rock look. Maybe because that is what my dad looked like before he died. And what my uncle (who was more of a father to me after mine passed) has always looked like. I really love reading your stories and seeing pictures of your past. Convinces me even more that should have been my time. Oh why did I have to be born so late (and in the wrong country)!! LOL, I am sure there is a reason but what I haven't come to know yet...

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    1. Hi again Carrion Doll . . . I'm sure you will find the reason, one day. I would liked to have been born in time to enjoy the 60's . . . I suppose we all romanticise about another era in some way.
      I have loads of old photos to post, with each new "era" (each new man) there are more photos to come, hundreds of them. I'm so glad I kept them now . . . Many an ex has asked me to get rid of them all, and I have come close. But I still have them all.
      Thanks for reading and for your comments x

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  15. Looked through a lot of your pictures today. Ah you're so pretty! & that Christmas one, eye swear we look the same age. Eye'd show you pictures of me but won't post them on this site. Basically bc eye have no balls, there's no more honest way to put it.

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