Yes, I was busy this summer. Yes, I neglected Sophia the Art Mannikin. I dressed her in my mother-of-the-groom dress from 2001 in May and when I got home from my three weeks of vacation, someone had thrown a blanket over her. Oh, the indignity of it all.
And then there was the phone call and e-mail from AAAP, followed by a registered letter. Seems AAAP stands for the American Assn. of Art Mannikins, which I did not even know existed.
Yes, I know that when one adopts an art mannikin, there are certain responsibiities, but come to find out that leaving them in the same, dated clothes for 2 1/2 months is punishable.
I was not only charged with neglect, but abuse, although I did explain that I suspected my 24-year-old grandson had thrown the blanket over her. He stayed here sometimes when I was on vacation and he has HATED dolls of any ilk all his life.
So, I pleaded guilty and was not officially cited because I promised to redress her faithfully once a month from now on.
She doesn't like the heat any more than I do, so she is dressed for hot August nights in Redondo Beach, CA.
By the way, I did not tell my mannikin secret to the AAAP. Sophia's sister Stephanie is currently naked in a corner of my garage as I keep intending to collage her but haven't gotten around to it yet, nor will I in the near future. Such indignity, especially since my garage door is broken and the garage door men keep traipsing in and out trying to figure out the problem. I'll go put something on her this afternoon, or I guess I could throw a blanket over her. No, Redondowriter; don't even think it.
