Thursday, May 15, 2008

The Awkward Adolescent

Remember those gawky years?

Braces, zits, glasses, and odd hair experimentation. Spending hours and hours in the bathroom coming out looking something like this.......






















Okay, so maybe not quite like this.

Poor baby, so homely. But one day he will develop into a beautiful regal Cardinal.

This little one’s parents, yes the mom and the dad, were busy making sure he had plenty to eat and was safe since he jumped out of the crowded nest in the azalea.



At least his awkwardness will be just a couple of days not years, and years, and years, and years..........

8 comments:

Mike said...

Have you ever seen the Grant Wood (American Gothic) painting entitled "Adolescence?"

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA98/haven/wood/adolescence.html

An an Iowan I really appreciate his sense of humor.

Jen said...

No Mike, I have not seen work by Grant Wood. I went to an exhibit at the High in Atlanta that had a number of Wood's work but that one was not included. Good one. I enjoyed the diary post this morning on your site.

Mike said...

Thanks, Jenni!

Here is the great common thread: Grant Wood's best friend when he was on the faculty of th University of Iowa, was another neighbor of Bess and Helen here at Foxcroft. According to Helen he was a regular visitor. We have a picture of the neighbor and his wife dressed as the "American Gothic" couple holding a frame around themselves that was shot on our front lawn.

The website "Adolescence" came from:

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA98/haven/wood/intro.html

Has a pretty good description of his life, I think this site is a companion to the show you may have seen? If so it originated in Cedar Rapids and my whole family went up to it.

Anonymous said...

Poor little guy! It's a tough time. Love that pic, Jenni - you were kind enough to bring out the beauty in his awkward years.

Sandy said...

Such a cute picture!

Jennifer said...

Ah, soon enough he will be graceful and gainly.

I have adolescent robins in my nest now... they haven't quite left for their own yet!

Why S? said...

at least you don't have to teach him to drive.

Anonymous said...

LOVE IT! Even though we don't exactly look like this little guy, we all sure FEEL like we do, at one time or another. Brings me right back to my headgear days. Sigh....