Not in Kansas Anymore

Not in Kansas Anymore, originally uploaded by Subject is too Cute.

This is Dorothy. She reminded me of a woman that my mother used to take care of. Her name was Victoria. A woman that still dressed as she did when she was younger. Victoria was at one time a lounge singer. It was a blast listening to her sing old songs. I have great memories of Victoria - she was like someone out of a time-machine.

I don't usually like to taking photos of people down on their luck or asking for money. It' just not my thing. Dorothy's sign caught my eye and I thought I'd share it. One would hope that people asking for change wouldn't lie about their situation or exaggerate. This sign had so much - Hunger / Burned Down Home / Murder / Robbery / Injured and Beaten.

I gave her a dollar and asked for a photo. She said o.k. but advised me that another man had given her $20 for a photo. I tried to ask her about her situation " I'm sorry about your family - what happened? " her response was " what does the sign say? " She then said that a "man" killed her family in Peterson Park. She didn't seem interested in discussing her past present or future with me so I took two photos and shook her hand. She smiled nicely at me and I could see something very sweet in her eyes underneath the shades.

This photo is number #67 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at 100 Strangers