November 26, 2005

Alone

I've always lived in small, crowded noisy houses. Even when I go camping, it's often in a group that includes not just my husband and kids, but also my parents, siblings, and their families. Perhaps that is the reason I've always had long hair. When I need to be by myself, I can always shut out the rest of the world by shaking my hair into my face. Behind the curtain of brown and gold, I can think, cry, or daydream. Everyone in my family is used to seeing me sit like this, and they know to leave me alone.

Photo courtesy of Shaggy Hair Boy

Hair in eyes

31 comments:

utenzi said...

Michele sent me to vist you on your blog, Jo(e).

The pictures are interesting, Jo. I like the one of you that you have on your post but the one I was most curiuos about was the one of a kid almost to the ceiling stuck between two walls! Is he trying to be a housefly?

jo(e) said...

Utenzi: He was bitten by a radioactive spider.

Phantom Scribbler said...

I do this too. But since I always have to be doing something, I search for split ends while hiding behind my hair.

Deb said...

Lovely hair, Jo(e)!

And Shaggy Hair Boy is a good picture-taker!

jo(e) said...

Thanks, Deb.

We had hung the blanket on the wall because we were taking the annual Christmas photo of the kids, and when Shaggy Hair took a test shot to see if the lighting was right, he took this photo of me, and I figured I would put it on my blog since it is the way I often sit.

And the shot seemed appropriate for the mood I am in today.

Scrivener said...

I know this is supposed to be a sad, lonely picture and post and all. But that picture is really cool anyway. I like the effect from the folds of that blanket behind you--looks like light is streaming from you upwards.

Piece of Work said...

I'm so glad you explained the blanket--I couldn't figure it out! You are lucky to have such nice hair to hide behind!

Sue said...

Great hair! And a terrific picture...

jo(e) said...

Actually, the effect of the folds of the blanket was caused by me sitting on the edge of the blanket, which pulled out the tacks and duct tape ... and the whole blanket came tumbling down afterwards. So we had to put it back up for the Christmas photo shoot.

Seeking Solace said...

Great photo with the perfect title. I wish my hair was long enough to do that!

Anonymous said...

This is great.

I haven't long hair, so my tactics are different. I go into my room (small house, but fewer people, and only one cat). This time of year I am always chilly, so I half unmake my bed by pulling my down comforter around my shoulders. This is where I write. Should anyone look for me, I am the green tent pitched on the left side of the bed.

comebacknikki said...

Great pic - you actually look like a teenager hiding from the world.

Anonymous said...

Love the new look here...and the picture of the girl with hair (you?) is a winner.

jo(e) said...

Colleen: Yes, that is me in the photo.

ccw said...

Beautiful hair!

I love this picture because it leaves me wondering what you are doing/thinking under your hair.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Great Photo, jo(e)! Tell Shaggy hair boy he did great. Wonderful little post, too! Mary XOXO

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I know what you mean!

Anonymous said...

I knew it was you, but GOSH you look so YOUNG!!!

Very cool photo.

Jesse said...

It's nice to have a way to get away from people.

I've always found the bathroom is a good place for that sort of thing.

Jennifer (ponderosa) said...

What the polar bear said. You look so young! Gorgeous hair!

Anonymous said...

You do look young! It's a gorgeous picture - Shaggy Hair Boy has definite talent.

I think I had long hair (when it was really long, as opposed to midlength) just because of some romantic idea about long hair being a woman's crowning glory. But I come from a small family that respects alone time a lot, so retreat was easy, when necessary.

Pink Cupcake said...

What a wonderful photo, but it makes me miss my long hair so much. I can't hide behind it properly now that it's shoulder length.

Pink Cupcake said...

Oh, off topic but it made me laugh. I was writing some Christmas cards yesterday and one of our friend's sons is called Joe. Without even thinking I wrote 'Jo(e)' not 'Joe', and I didn't even realize until my husband was signing them and asked why on earth I made such an odd mistake!

Yankee, Transferred said...

Beautiful photo.

Coffee-Drinking Woman said...

That's a persuasive argument to grow my hair out... My house is crowded and noisy,too.

Anonymous said...

I miss having hair like that. I still sometimes pull it down in my face just to feel hidden, and because it is so nice to have messy hair.

Sarah Sometimes said...

I will pass on to you what a kind person said to me the other day after I was ranting and complaining about being alone: "Sarah! When will you realize you are not alone!" Of course I know your picture is about wanting to find a space to be alone, but you seem to be having sad feelings, so I want to say to you, "You are not alone...." (Written, with love, and wide awake at 4:00 a.m.)

halloweenlover said...

Beautiful hair, Jo(e). It IS brown and gold, a perfect curtain for alone time.

I like to go on long walks for alone time, much as you've mentioned before.

WDKY said...

For me, one of the joys of blogging is that, just sometimes, I stumble across something that's truly outstanding.

Your blog, Jo(e), is one of those things, and I feel like my time today has been well spent now that I've landed here.

Running2Ks said...

That is a clear message. It is so nice it is respected.

listie said...

Great picture. It reminds me of something I read about the Japanese concept of privacy. Because they live in a crowded society, with a lack of physical privacy, they have developed a sense of privacy of the mind and being able to find solitude within themselves while in the presence of others. I'd say your hair curtain does just that.