My neighbor came up to my place a couple of days ago to discuss a quilt she wants to commission from me and while we were talking she asked me a question about making jam — because of my “Martha Stewart ways”.
Those were her exact words.
More appalling than the fact that she was seriously comparing me to Martha Stewart, I actually knew the answer to her question.
I suppose it’s no wonder she sees me as a domestic goddess between the quilting, bread making and now home canning, but I wonder if she’d see me the same way if I gave her a copy of my book? Or would that just reinforce the image since we all know that only sad-sack desperate housewives and other lonely types like romance?
Obviously I’m being sarcastic but it does go to show why it’s tough to live an image down. People see and interpret things how they want to, making things fit the image that they already hold. Even if I did (get drunk enough to) pierce my nose, the likelihood is I wouldn’t be seen as a trendy Bohemian — I’d just be seen as some pathetic middle-aged woman desperately trying to hold on to my youth.
(I’m vain enough to add that I’m not quite middle aged just yet)
Oh well. At the end of the day, I know who I am and what I am about. And at least that lets me off the hook for piercing my nose…
