1.13.2009

Go Figure!

As I read to my kids tonight, I chuckled when I read of Laura Ingalls refusing to wear her corset to bed at night...

"What your figure will be, goodness knows," Ma warned her. "When I was married, your Pa could span my waist with his two hands."

Is that even possible?

(I know some of you are trying this right now)

15 comments:

Chelsea said...

Yikes! I'm guessing Pa had very big hands! ;)

Kendra said...

Yeah...its possible. Corsets would permanently alter the structure causing the organs and ribs to move. After years, women looked the same with or without a corset...gross huh?
--

Lizzie said...

Willard could do that too, as long as he added one of his feet...maybe one and a half.

java girl said...

I think that a corset would HURT... Bad...I would have to say I agree with Laura Ingalls. No corset to bed for me ;O)

the wild raspberry said...

We are reading the Little House books right now too. Aren't they wonderful?!
Is that your wire body double? I've been wanting one badly.
Have a good day.
Chas

Rebekah said...

For some reason I have not forgotten this memory from elemetary school when one of the girls told us that when her mother got married she had an eighteen inch waste. That number never left my brain and every time I measure myself I notice how far off I am from eighteen inches, no matter how crazy of a number that is! It's funny the things you remember isn't it?

~nanashouse~ said...

Have you ever noticed the skinny little waist on one of the sisters in White Christmas?

Unknown said...

For some reason that particular line always stuck with me. Whenever I see an especially slender woman, I wonder if her husband can span her waist with his two hands. Bizarre, I know.

American Homemaker said...

I think it's sooo crazy the woman's waists were so tiny.

Brandy said...

Hi! I stumbled onto your blog through a friend of a friend of a friend..I've enjoyed reading it!
I also shared the Little House series with my daughter. I've recently rented her the DVD's and she Loves them! She is 12, that goes to show you never outgrow Laura and Mary!

Christian said...

My favorite part is Laura's response! Hmmm, I wonder what size Ma and Laura would be at, say, OLD NAVY?!

Diane said...

Sooo glad we don't wear corsets anymore! Have you seen Julie Newmar (catwoman) as Dorcas in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers...? Yep, it's one of those tiny waists. Love that movie!

SUMMERSTEAD said...

When my grandparents got married, grandpa could wrap both his hands around grandma's waist. She had a smaller waist than my 4 year old neice has now!

Somebody mentioned the sister in White Christmas (I think the actress was Vera Ellen). My sis-in-law told me a while back that VE actually had a rib removed so her waist could be that small. Can you imagine?!

Jenny said...

Mom and Diane,

Every time I watch White Christmas or Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, I'm in awe (and almost disgusted) by those girls' tiny waists!

Chas,

No, that is not my wire body double. I would love to have one, though!

cranny + b said...

that's awesome!! :)