fichu. (bless you)

Today, I was going through notes from a trip to Rocky Ridge made a dozen years ago, and one of the things I did was to make a quick sketch of the Ida's-gift-to-Laura lace. I counted forty scallops on each side, and I reasoned that it was probably 24 or so inches in length, based on the size of a scallop. At the time, it was folded multiple times in the display case, and I remember spending more time counting scallops than sketching.

Later, I had a chance to see the lace with only one fold in it, but I didn't sketch it. It seems that I tend to draw a total blank about what it is I'm supposed to remember to do when I finally have a chance to do it. So this year, I started keeping a list by "Little House" site. Uh, actually I started the list in 2000, but (so far) I've never actually managed to have it with me when I'm at a site. I also need to remember why I was curious about some of the things I listed, such as (1) When did Alice Keith first pay school township 9 taxes? (2) second deed, Jasper Ingalls and others, Kane County? and (3) order 1885 Fillmore Minnesota census again. Uh, why? [Note to self: more detailed notes would be a good idea.]

Back to the fichu. Or jabot. Or scarf. Or frill. Or whatever. If a fichu is typically triangular, this piece of lace isn't. If it's worn about the shoulders and neck, how could this piece be, it's so short and skinny? Who said it's the wedding lace, and when? And why? Why isn't there any family history of Ida doing this sort of work at any point in her lifetime? Why is the lace only fringed and decorated on one end? If this is an actual wedding present, was it in the house fire and survived?

Maybe it's actually the frill that Mary wore at the throat of her best dress at college.

On another note, tonight I saw National Treasure: The Book of Secrets . How cool was it that Mt. Rushmore was part of the movie?

Labels: laura ingalls wilder

- posted by pioneergirl at 9:53 PM