Barbara J. Hamby

Fads

After a long day of moving files around on a new computer, I needed a break and decided to share some of my observations. The frustration of filling a new folder with articles, then getting too close to the edge and having the whole file fall out of the computer into outer space may have affected my disposition.

Among the things I’d just as soon never see again are naked navels on pubescent girls, or on old gals for that matter. Ditto for back cracks peeking out above sliding pants on pubescent or older boys. I could probably live a long time without looking at pierced body parts with rings, as well.

I remember when I was much younger wondering why older people made such a fuss about long hair on boys. Greasy, dirty hair was disgusting to me on boys or girls, but clean, shining hair was attractive on either sex as far as I was concerned.
There is no explanation for fads. Even adults in our culture seem to have lemming genes. We’ve reached a point in our “civilization” where jeans are the uniform of the day in more than half the places we appear. Nikes or Reeboks or knock-offs show up even under wedding gowns.

Because the ridiculous platform ankle straps with four-inch heels I wore when I was young probably contributed to the deplorable condition of my feet today, I can’t fault anyone for wearing comfortable footgear.

I shall never mourn the obsolescence of girdles, either.