Sunday, March 29, 2009

...Mary vs. Rhoda


In the mid to late seventies, my high school years, I did a lot of babysitting. I loved kids, had a way with them, and figured it was an easy way to make money. Saturday nights were always booked in advance and came with a much higher rate of pay, probably because it dipped into what ever social life us girls were trying to strive for at the time and as we got older, good babysitters were hard to come by. I really didn't mind though, and it was largely due to the Saturday night TV line up. Once my little charges were in bed, I raided the fridge of their parents and settled in for an evening with Mary, Bob, and Carol. That's Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newhart, and Carol Burnett. What amazing female role models for a young girl of 16. Mary and Rhoda with their own apartments, independent lives, and great jobs. Emily Newhart, whose quick dry wit and intelligence enhanced the relationship with her husband Bob, and Carol Burnett, who showed us that there was humor in every little thing, it was all in how you looked at it.
I loved them all.
For us girls there was always the question of Mary vs. Rhoda. It went without question that all the guys voted for Mary, therefore most of the girls wanted to be Mary, but I was always a Rhoda fan (after all didn't she get Joe in the end). I could relate more to her sarcastic sense of humor, quirky fashions, and thought that being a window dresser was the most fabulous thing on the planet! I planned to move to New York and design the windows of all the great department stores.
But with Mary, there was always her "M". Is was the one thing of hers that I coveted, begged to have, and for some reason, never managed to get. Even at 16, I knew that initial hanging on the wall of her apartment meant more than just a decoration. It wasn't until recently that I realized, without intention, I had acquired several things in my own home with my initial "P".
I guess if you wait long enough, you really "might just make it after all."

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

late and cannot sleep. at least i don't have to work tomorrow. that's right, i am unemployed. looking at all those p's made me realize i have to go pee.

Ali @ Betty and Violet said...

Great post! I was a big Rhoda fan too (the spin off series was an all time favourite!) I love all your monograms ~ I have subconsciously done this for years too with my own initial...

Brenda Pruitt said...

Rhoda was my girl. I like the sarcastic, out-in-the-open types.
Brenda

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