We never wore black stockings - no matter the color of our dresses - only white stockings for dress up and stockings of a tan color, slightly ribbed, for sturdy playtime wear. It is sad, my dear friend, that you had to bear the burden of black socks with a white dress  and, of all things, have a formal portrait made at the the same time! I feel for you, even now. There was a time, before you moved into my neighborhood,  that black stockings would have been helpful in my Catholic School second grade classroom since kneeling beside our little desks was required to say our morning prayer.  I knew my mother would never want me to have knee stains on my tan stockings and so I knelt only part way.  But I was discovered and pronounced a sinner (so soon in life!) and made to slap my hand with the wooden ruler Sister Mary Angelena kept so neatly handy for such times. I did tell my mother that I loved black stockings, My mother never liked black stockings even though other mothers did.

We met while we were both in the 5th grade and I remember the fascination we both had with the girl down the street. Her name was Ruth De Voe. She took elocution lessons and was always called on to recite one of her lessons at the end of our Literature period, remember? We were anxious to learn the two favorite pieces - The Blue Wart and Oh Joy I Wish I Could Be A Boy.  You were always the best, Miss Blue, even better than Ruth De Voe.  But we tried not to notice as we walked home from school taking turns with our new found past-time.

Give Louise my best wishes and tell her how happy I am to hear about your photograph, so precious, bringing back so many memories of our friendship.

Loving thoughts from
Pearl