Catherine Ann Kress

THE PRINCESSES AND THE RAG- A- MUFFINS

The year was 1960. The Chevy Corvair rolled off the production line. The Princess Phone was our new method of communication. Nixon was debating Kennedy across our land. Elvis sang "Love Me Tender". The Shirelles harmonized on "Will You Still Love Me, Tomorrow?". "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" was the song of the year and the swimsuit fashion. The Beatles had not yet hit the shores of America. Barbie was only two years old.

Cathy Howell was a senior at Rome Free Academy. She was older sister to my best friend Sally. I was only seven, and Sally was nine. Cathy´s bedroom was like a museum to me. It smelled of perfume and had lovely feminine things: Her cheer leading pom poms, her trophies, skates, jewelry, and shoes. Everything in its place, and lacy and frilly. Sally´s room was a collection of her many interests: horses, dogs, cats, clothes, and blankets. I often spent time picking up her room, just to make myself feel better. I was going to be a nurse; Sally was going to be a Vet. I would live my life in clean white starched uniforms, and Sally would wear overalls, boots, and flannel shirts.

But we were the bestest of friends. We did everything together. We met when I was three and Sally was five. Our family moved into a new home and Sally lived across the alley. We first laid eyes on each other in my back yard. I was on our new swing set, and Sally and another neighborhood girl, Barbara Volpe, were standing in the alley looking at me. I don´t remember who approached who. I just remember instant friendship.

We played in our park across the street from Sally´s house, in the empty lot a few houses away, in our alley, and on our bikes. Hours were spent on our porches playing with our Barbies and our plastic horses and metal ranches. Sally had a lovely screened-in sunroom, and our house had two big porches, front and back. Sleepovers in Coleman sleeping bags on one of these outdoor spaces were common.

The spring of 1960 was Cathy´s senior prom. Her mother sewed her the most beautiful white satin sleeveless gown with a full billowing skirt. The dress was accented with white pearls, hand sewn, and scattered all over the dress. Tons of tulle under the dress made it a real Cinderella gown. It was one that Barbie could have worn.

Sally and I were so excited that day. There was going to be a pre-prom gathering at her house, and we would get to see the pretty girls and their dresses and their handsome dates and their tuxedos. It was as if Barbie and Ken and all their friends would be right in front of us.

We played for hours outdoors and got into all kinds of dirt and grime. Our cotton blouses and shorts and dirty sneakers revealed what we had been doing. Suddenly it was time for the party, and we decided to act as ushers and open the doors for the couples as they arrived at the front door, and sun porch door leading out to the patio so we could see everyone and greet them. And that´s what we did, running from place to place to make sure the doors were open wide. But we were still in our play clothes, grime, and all. I am sure our faces and hair matched our wardrobe. But what fun. How lovely everyone looked. What a Cinderella moment for two young girls.

I don´t remember how long we did this. I do know we were scolded, and Cathy and her mom were embarrassed at our actions and our appearance. But boy was it exciting. I guess Mrs. Howell told my mom, and I got a talking to at home as well.

Later that summer Cathy had a trunk in her room that she was packing to go away to Keuka College. I looked in awe at the trunk that was being packed for Keuka College, a foreign word to me, a place so far away. It was the first time I ever heard of the word college. I just knew she was going away... forever.

Years later I ended up going off to college.... of all places, Keuka College. I became a nurse and wore the starched white uniform. Sally went off to Animal Husbandry school and wore overalls and flannels and boots.

Sixty-seven years later we are still the best of friends. And though Cathy has just left us for Heaven, and Sally has lost her big sister, there is a memory that keeps our hearts happy...remembering Cathy in her Cinderella white satin prom gown with the scattered pearls and strapless sweetheart neckline. It was worth the reprimands we got that evening to see all the lovely princesses in person.

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will alway remember our childhood days spent as across the alley neighbors.... here is Cathy at Fort Stanwix School Rome NY Class of Rome Free Academy 1960.