Monday, April 12, 2010

Designing Women

Join me for a moment to mourn the passing of Dixie Carter. Do lawsamercy, if Designing Women isn't one of the greatest shows of all time I'll hush.
I've always fancied myself something of a cross between Julia and Suzanne...a smart savvy southern belle who loves attention and longs for the days of big hair and tiaras. I'm not too much fond of pigs as pets though.

I have many favorite episodes but my MOST favorite was titled Dash Goff, the Writer. One of Suzanne's ex-husbands arrives all down and out but the gals pick him up and dust him off pretty well. When he moves on, he leaves a letter...one that any southern belle would treasure forever...

"Yesterday, in my mind's eye, I saw four women standing on a veranda in white, gauzy dresses and straw colored hats. They were having a conversation. And it was hot. Their hankies tucked in cleavages where eternal trickles of perspiration run from the female breastbone to exotic vacation spots that southern men often dream about. They were sweet smelling, coy, cunning, voluptuous, voracious, delicious, pernicious, vexing, and sexing...these earth sisters/rebel mothers...the arousers and carousers. And I was filled with a longing to join them. But like a whim of Scarlett's, they turned suddenly and went inside, shutting me out with a bolt of a latch. And I was left only to pick up an abandoned handkerchief and savor the perfumed shadows of these women...these southern women. This Suzanne. This Julia. This Mary Jo and Charlene. Thanks for the comfort. Dash Goff...the writer."

12 comments:

  1. I love that one too. I watched them all and then again we watched the reruns on weekday mornings. I never realized Dixie was ill (or 70) but she was pure class.

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  2. That, too, is one of my favorites. I posted the scene from "the night the lights went out in Georgia." I miss that show so much.

    My friend who is in a similar place as you is now reading your blog. You have a kindred soul. As of late, her mother told her she couldn't get a permanent until after my friend has shoulder surgery. Friend asked her why and her mother told her "I can only worry about one thing at a time." xoxo

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  3. Great post about Dixie. I loved that show too. Love & blessings from NC!

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  4. I adored Dixie Carter, isn't she what we all wanted to be when we grew up? And I loved that episode too, the casting was perfect and the writing dead on. Nice post! Kathy

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  5. I loved her too. She was an alum from my sorority so I had the chance to hear her speak at a convention in 2006. She was fabulous!

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  6. I did love Designing Women. I wanted Julie Sugarbaker to be in my life, telling me what to do and speaking out for what is right! Dixie Carter will be missed!

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  7. Good Lord, I loved that show! I loved all the characters, and Julia Sugarbaker was such a Southern lady. Now, myself, I'm Delta Burke...way too prissy! My husband and I have seen every episode many times over!

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  8. I loved that show also. So Sad.

    By the way ~ what pray tell, does lawsamercy mean?

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  9. I finally caught up with reading your blog. You give me inspiration for dealing with my mom. Her plane has landed, and Gary is on his way to the airport. I will act with grace and dignity, i.e., more like you, than my normal screaming loony self. I can do it...maybe.

    Lisa

    P.S. The 22 year old arrives with her new beau tomorrow. Yes, the poor guy gets to meet two generations at once.

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  10. Designing Women was Sex and the City long before it's time. Strong women make the world go 'round...

    'lawsamercy' is Southern for Lord have mercy!

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  11. I had a chat with Dixie in a friend's kitchen one day. She really was a neat lady and am sad to hear of her loss.

    ~Julie

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