When my daddy was about to retire in 1971, we were stationed in Barstow, California. Smack dab in the Mojave Desert. Not much back then that a 13 year old could get into, trouble wise. I had a love of anything '68-'71 music. I thought jeans were the Heaven of clothing. My mother on the other had despised blue jeans of any type. She was born and raised during the depression, and blue jeans were a sad reminder of how poor they were. It did not matter to me. I wanted a pair.....and she finally gave in. They were green....with a blue that outlined some very big flowers. They were mine....and I wore them with pride. My hair long and parted down the middle. Peasant shirts with the puffy sleeves...I felt so free. "If I Had A Hammer", by Peter, Paul and Mary would be sung every day or blared on my little transistor radio.
Somewhere along this joyous road I was on, my mother began to see a pattern. She was worried her southern born, only daughter, was becoming a hippie!! She talked to my daddy, told him he could scratch that plan of retiring in California. She wanted to go back east....back to a simple life and all that comes with small town living. I was sure at this point my parents hated me. I loved California. I loved the desert mostly......but, his orders came and we moved. 1972.....she thought my hippie wandering spirit would be neatly tucked away in front porch swings, sweet tea and magnolia breezes. Remember I mentioned that free spirit thing?
It was at this point I realized I'd have to do some planning on this. I was not going to be this dainty, lace wearing, POLYESTER pant teenager. I found a way to talk her into the blue jeans.....wide leg blue jeans. My hair grew longer.....I wore no makeup....and I loved, LOVED my hoop earrings......
About this time, I found out WHY my daddy had brought us back in time...My mama, bless her heart.....was so afraid her only daughter was going to become a hippie.....and live in a COMMUNE. Do you know how many times she told me this??? I don't know where this free spirit I have came from, but, I am glad I have it. I may be an old hippie in my heart.....but, a commune has never come into my thoughts : then OR now!!! What mama didn't realize is, you can be a hippie...or a free spirit where ever you live. I still love my jeans, tee shirts and barefeet....flowing clothes and thoughts. Free spirit....and I am passing it on to my kids.
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