As of my Aunts Erma and Dorothy, I grew up in a family that had two working beauticians. It is a fact that both retired from the profession at an early age (35) as they became landlords with my Dad as of the family properties. With that, my Aunt Erma was very proud of her skills as a hair dresser and manicure/pedicure specialist. She died at age 87 about 15 years ago but she always had her certification in the profession to her death and since she never graduated from high school, she was very proud of that official certification.
Aunt Erma, a very successful businesswoman (with Aunt Dorothy), was one of the smartest women I have ever known, and one of the most popular “people” persons with her way to make friends with anyone that she respected.
My Aunt began her work as a beautician as a 17 year old as the manicurist for former Okla. Governor E.W. Marland. She was put up in Ponca City, OK by the ex-gov and was paid for room and board plus her salary. Marland, one of the richest men in Oklahoma history (and he lost his $$$$$ twice) liked my Aunt that she was his only manicurist until his death in 1941.
Aunt Erma went on to become a world traveler, making visits from Asia to Europe, Cuba and Alaska. She had many friends and though she never married (and if she was gay I would have never known that…she did say she did NOT want a man and what a husband would bring her). She had various friends that were white, black, rich, poor, straight, and gay.
She told the firemen (that came to her home on an emergency run) the day that she went to the hospital to find out she was with a cancer, “don’t drop a 85 year old virgin” as they loaded her in the ambulance. Yes, she had a very acute sence of humor.
The only people she had discourse with were those that she would call “no-counts” that did not work for their keep. She was the least “lazy” person I have ever known. She also was colorful, could and did use profanity with the best, and could get into someone’s face and not back down. She was her father’s daughter.
Aunt Erma had only one fear, and that was fire. She had her homemade into all-electric and would not allow matches or candles around.
Unlike my Grandfather, her father, she was not a spend thrift person, as she splurged in the most expensive lotions and creams she could find. When she wanted something, she bought it. As of her death, her “look” was that of a 40-year-old, wrinkle free, and her body was that of a 50-year-old female athlete that could out work a man all summer’s day at 100 degree temperatures.
She was a very fine cook, and some of the best homemade meals I was treated were prepared by her. She did the best “beef heart” roast and her Thanksgiving dressing was the best. She would also partake in fast food of the day, especially Quicks Hamburgers in OKC and the local Taco Bell (this was the 1960s). Many times she treated me to a Quick’s burger as a young guy. We also went to Kaisers Ice Cream in OKC where she introduced me to the best coffee flavored vanilla I have ever had. She and Aunt Dorothy, which I will write about later, were great people to have as Aunts.
I began thinking about her today after watching a YouTube video where a man, disabled as of a medical condition, had his finger nails polished and painted. My two Aunts painted my nails as a kid and I loved it. Red as red could be. As a male child, I never had any issues with my friends as they thought if was “keen” at the time. I plan on having my nails painted the next time I get a manicure. In their memory. (and I did).
