lonesome cowgirl

I can remember the day this photo was taken on the lawn of our family home in Los Angeles. A man came through the neighborhood leading this little pony, offering to take photos of all the kids. I can only imagine his arduous days, going from neighborhood to neighborhood pulling his little horse along with him, knocking on doors, trying to talk post-WW II penny-pinching mothers (the dads were all at work, including mine) into spending perhaps $5 to have a picture taken. Just trying to make a living, that's all. It was hot ~ notice the halter top ~ and grueling work, although we lived in a very pleasant, shady and quiet area off Melrose Avenue. It wasn't MELROSE AVENUE in those days, just an area with small bungalows with lawns and flower gardens and single-car garages. The photographer's kit was complete with the costume parts; chaps, a sombrero and a bandana. I really, really wanted my picture taken on the back of that sweet little horse. There's a bit of a furrow on my brow so I must have been somewhat apprehensive about the whole enterprise. Notice the no-nonsense cowgirl pigtails. I think I was about 8 or 9 when this picture was taken. My next door neighbor, Jane Stetson also had her picture taken. Ellen Jebejian did, too. Our street had lots of kids. That photographer probably made a week's worth of income in that one place.