I See Dots

I love my polka dot blanket. It is a wonderful thing to cuddle up in the embrace of warm, fluffy polka dots and read a book. 

Sunday night, I'm sitting with my blanket, discussing the origin of the polka dot with Thomas, who is convinced that there is no "L" and it doesn't count if you don't use the plural on the end of dot. In his world, they are "Poka Dots" and he will not be convinced otherwise. 

In the 1800's, the Polka was so popular, people used the word when naming all sorts of non-polka related things, including dots.

Maybe the folks at Godey's Lady's Book loved the polka or maybe they just loved dots, but in May of 1857, Godey's mentioned the polka dot, "Scarf of muslin, for light summer wear...surrounded by a scalloped edge, embroidered in rows of round polka dots."  I wonder if I could find one of those scarves?  

I love to think about that fashion writer, so long ago, talking about my favorite dots...but Thomas is just concerned that they spelled it wrong and nobody stopped them.

I have a certain affinity for Godey's Lady's Book due to a story in Arleta Richardson's, Still More Stories From Grandma's Attic, which was one of my favorites when I was a child. I even remember the polka dotted dress that Mabel is wearing in the illustration.

It doesn't really matter when or where these dots first danced into the world. I would love them if they wanted to waltz, ballet, or even tap. (Because, really, who doesn't love a good tap dance?) 

I would still cuddle up in the embrace of my blanket of polka dotted goodness to read, and wear the skirt that my polka dot-loving mom found for me a few years ago (maybe the love of polka dots is genetic). Occasionally I would sing songs of polka dots on days when I was feeling particularly silly, and on days when I needed cheering or inspiration, I would make pictures full of dots.

Because I love those dots, and they make me happy.

And I love my polka dot blanket, no matter how much my family teases me. 

And after all this talk about my blanket, I understand if you want to call me Linus, I just ask that you don't leave out the "L". 

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