Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Margot the Fabulous

Today is a special day in my family because it's the anniversary of the birth of my sister Margot. Margot's not a commenter here and she doesn't check in often, but in case she happens by today I've got a little something for her.

Margot arrived in the world auspiciously. Not only did Mother's Day land on the day she was born, but our mother won a car that day, too. Yeah, an actual car, new and everything. (And just as the birth of a person like Margot only comes around once, that never happened again either.)

I chose this photo for Margot's birthday because the statue is graceful. I haven't found its name or that of the artist, but it's poised at the Huntington Gardens and it might be Diana the Huntress. See, by day Margot's a happy librarian in the Dallas, Texas system. But by night she is Margot, Fabulous Glamorous Ballroom Dancer Extraordinaire! The first time I watched her dance, her grace moved me to tears.

So here's what I have for Margot: if and when she comes to visit me in Pasadena we're going ballroom dancing, and she has her pick of where we go. We could try the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association, where they have all kinds of classes. And not far away in Alhambra there's Ballroom Dancing-LA, where they even have classes for kids. Or there's the Rose City Ballroom, also loaded with classes, and twinkling with a Hollywood connection.

Or we can try them all. Happy birthday, Mo!

21 comments:

Guy D said...

Excellent post!

Have a great week!
Guy
Regina In Pictures

Shell Sherree said...

Gosh, those Huntington Gardens are something ~ as is your photo, Petrea! I love the way the statue is framed. And that's a beautiful story about your sister. Happy birthday, Margot!

Hilda said...

Looks like Diana alright, and it is very graceful. Just like the columns. Happy birthday to Margot! I hope she visits you and you both have a ball! ;)

Shell Sherree said...

{So Petrea, how's the packing going? You've been way too quiet through all the PDP speculation and I believe you fit all of Phx's clues, Missy!}

Virginia said...

Well I"m sure Margot IS fabulous and all the other wonderful things you said about her. The photograph is just super Petrea. She should be very pleased! I'll just bet she's proud to have a sweet, thoughtful sister like you as well.

Ballroom dancing.........that's conjuring up some memories of 7th grade, Julie Day and her husband Alva who was like having Hitler as your dance instructor, always having to dance with another girl because not enough of the boys' mothers could coerce them into taking and besides, I was just this side of being a nerd, etc........

Anonymous said...

Ginab: Good job. I'll make sure MO sees this.

Katie said...

Happy Birthday Margot! Splendid Huntington photo to celebrate her Birthday. Your sister sounds like an amazing person, and quite a good luck charm, what with helping your mom win a car! I do hope she's able to visit you soon in Pasadena so you can spend the day showing her all your favorite places, and then go dancing at night!

Susan C said...

Gosh dang, that was some Mother's Day for your mom.

Happy birthday, Margot.

pasadenapio said...

You're a good sister. What a lovely birthday gift.

Anonymous said...

Exotic names for exotic children.

Margaret said...

What a good sister you are!

marley said...

Brilliant post and perfect photo. Love it!

Happy birthday to your sis :)

Mad as a hatter said...

Was she at all like the sister in The Royal Tennenbaums?

How cool.

not that Margot said...

That'd be Margot, second from the right.

Petrea Burchard said...

Well, thank you all. I hope Margot sees the post. She spends her work day on the computer and doesn't use it much for recreation. But I had fun creating it with her as my inspiration.

A couple of notes:

Shell, it's early morning in Paris, and I am not packing to go. It's someone else. Someone who appreciates the ability to pack up and fly to Paris on a whim, I hope.

Virginia, you are so sleek and beautiful it's hard to imagine you as a nerd. Things reverse: I was in the "crowd" in high school, but have finally achieved nerd status.

Thanks, Gina. I also got a message from Brett B. via Facebook to send bday greetings to Margot.

Mad: I don't think that would be Margot, though I haven't seen the film. New subject: we should find out what's coming up at the library.

Ms M said...

Happy birthday to Margo!
Lovely post, Petrea :>)

Marylène said...

What a post !
I love your story, the way you express your feelings, the warmth and kindness I feel in all your posts are so strong here !
I do hope your sister read this and accepts your gift.
Happy Birthday, Margot !

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

Happy Birthday Mo!

Won a car?? Oh my, how DO people do that? Tips please on a postcard.

Dina said...

Dance the night away, sisters.

Petrea Burchard said...

I can tell you right here, Lynn. It was a local contest (local was Roanoke, Virginia at the time) to guess the number of buttons in a jar. My mother came the closest and won the new Ford.

almas said...

great pic ,beautiful story about your sis!