Funky Friday: Playing with Dolls

 

Part of the work of the arts council is curating exhibits in a glass showcase in the community center. It is a place for 3-D art. We change it out every 6 weeks or so. The current theme is mixed-media and recycled materials. The next show is Dolls as Art. Believe it or not we have a committee to decide on themes and it took 2 or 3 meetings over the course a month to come up with them. 

When I first thought about this, I figured the childhood, now atique Barbie dolls and maybe a Ken doll would show up. I doubt there are any GI Joes left among the residents (and Militaria is the theme later in the year.) 

Then I thought about Richard. I may be the only person who has held onto a Richard Nixon action figure.  A gift from my Sweet Bear. I have had him for years. I pulled him from my cabinet of curiosities, dusted him off, and he was the first item to be loaned for the next showcase. If I took his trousers off, and changed his batteries, he talks. "I Am Not A Crook!" And yes, I have taken his trousers off a couple of times. It is kind of creepy.  

I mentioned this entry for the next showcase at last Saturday's show opening, to a round of laughter. A good response, we want them laughing and thinking creatively. 

So the answer to my April Fools Day conundrum, is I was never able to wrangle an invitation to the White House for a bill signing. My dearly departed colleague Lori was invited when President Obama signed the Elder Justice Act, she declined saying that she didn't want to be bothered, when asked if anyone from our office could attend, she said she "didn't think anyone would be interested." By the time I expressed my interest, it was too late to add names to the guest list. That is the closest I ever came. I could have strangled Lori, but I didn't.