Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Channeling My Inner Midwife (Call Me!)

Actually, don't do that.  Don't call me.  Because like Prissy in Gone with the Wind, "I don't know nothin' about birthin' babies!"  Well, I might know a little, since I did give birth to five baby boys of my own; but I don't think I could have been on the other end of things during those labors and deliveries.  God bless medical professionals--doctors, nurses, physician's assistants, midwives, et. al.  I couldn't do what they do.

When I was over in Germany visiting my youngest son during the month of March, I discovered the BBC period drama "Call the Midwife."  How did I ever miss this made-for-me TV show when it first came out?  Each day when my boy was at work, I was either doing laundry, cooking, shopping, doing the kind of deep cleaning that a 23-year-old bachelor would never dream of doing...or binge-watching "Call the Midwife."  I raced through the first three seasons (which were the only free ones available on Netflix over there).  I couldn't get enough of it.
If you've never seen this show (adapted from a book with the same title, I believe), here's a synopsis from an online source:

Based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth; the story follows twenty-two year old Jenny, who in 1957 leaves her comfortable home to become a midwife in London's East End. She is surprised to find that she will be living in a convent: Nonnatus House. Working alongside fellow nurses and the medically-trained nuns, Jenny has her eyes opened to the harsh living conditions of the slums, but she also discovers the warm hearts and the bravery of the mothers. Even after Jenny leaves Nonnatus, she continues to chronicle the lives of the midwives who have become her family.

I love everything about "Call the Midwife": the old-timey feel of the show, with its vintage cars, fashions, and morals; the heart-warming friendships that form between the midwives who live together at Nonnatus house--all very different types of young women, but each endearing in her own way; the love and charity that the faith-filled nuns who run the convent shower upon the underprivileged families to whom they minister; the compelling stories about marriages and families and heroic struggles for survival.  Oh, and the BABIES!  It's simply a gem of a show.

Now let's talk about those vintage fashions.  I think I was born in the wrong decade sometimes, because I just adore the way these gals from a bygone era dress, with their twinsets and Peter Pan collars.  I even like the starched white caps and aprons that they wear when they're nursing.

I also love the way the midwives ride their bicycles all around East London to make house calls and deliver babies.  So when I saw a retro "Call the Midwife"-style bike at Sam's Wholesale Club about a month ago, I fell in love with it and proceeded to give my husband numerous not-so-subtle hints that it would make an excellent gift.

He was listening to his dear wife, as he always does; so yesterday, he took me out to Sam's and bought me the bike of my dreams.  It is the best Mother's Day gift I could have ever hinted about/asked for!  It's totally "old school," like me.  Even has a drink holder and a basket!
When we went to Sam's to pick up this mint-colored beauty, I was already wearing my trusty black trench coat, which is practically a uniform for me (and which a cashier at the grocery story recently complimented, saying, "It looks very British"); so when we got home, I added my vintage black felt hat, which I've worn for my boys' weddings, and enlisted my husband to use his iPhone camera skills to do a little "Call the Midwife" photo shoot in our driveway.

This was not at all corny.  It wasn't.

If I had a light blue nursing uniform with a white Peter Pan collar on under my trench, and my hat was maroon instead of black, I could practically show up at Nonnatus House and fit right in, don't you agree?

However: if you think you might be in labor, please don't call me.  I might look the part of a midwife...but that's not the same thing as being one, now is it?

21 comments:

  1. I love that bike. I don't really like biking but I love that bike! I wanted to love that show for all the reasons you said, but my heart couldn't take it. Watching the poverty and the young Irish girl (sadly of ill repute) who had her baby taken from her? I was sobbing and I couldn't do it. Happy Mother's Day!

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    1. I know, it is hard to take sometimes. Some of the storylines are heartbreaking (and made me cry!). But what I love is that the characters in this show seem so intent on protecting and cherishing human lives--both the lives of the babies and the mothers. I was worried when I first started watching it that it would give the message that these poor women had no business having lots of children that they couldn't possibly afford, but it really didn't go there. (Well, there was ONE episode that disappointed me; but overall, I was so impressed with what I perceived to be a very pro-life message.)

      I get why you found it tough to watch, though. But it was my little guilty pleasure during my stay in Germany. (Now I just need to watch the rest of the seasons!)

      Happy Mother's Day to you, too! :)

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  2. I've read the book, thoroughly enjoyed it. Love the bike shot of you going down the hill :-) now next pressie for you might just be a peter pan blouse.

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    1. Ha ha! I've actually made myself some round-collared tops, because it's hard to find them in stores. I'm waiting for them to make a big comeback--it happened with twinsets, so you never know. :)

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    2. I think I'll need to read the book, too.

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    1. I'm crazy about it! I'll be bringing it up to P'burgh for the summer.

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  4. Dan and I are dying with this post!! So cute! This bike is GREAT! And you will deny this but you are pretty and kind like Nurse Jenny (we watched a few seasons too before Danny came) we always loved Chummy! Happy Riding!

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    1. I know, isn't this the cutest bike you've ever seen? And I love that it has no gears or hand-brakes. I've wanted one like this for years.

      I'm a huge fan of Chummy, too!!

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  5. Oh my gosh, I love this post so much. And your bike. I bought a vintage bike when I was living in St. Paul, but it always sounded like it might fall apart at any moment, so I think your version is the way to go.

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    1. I thought you might have the same taste in bikes as I do. :)

      I'm planning to spend the summer riding all over the place!

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  6. I Love "Call the Midwife", too! Sometimes I wish I wore uniforms like that at the hospital. Haha. ;-) I love your style!

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    1. Do it, Gabriela! Start a trend! ;0

      Even without the Midwives' influence, I have been a trench coat enthusiast for many years. I own two black ones (in two different lengths, and one with a removable liner), a tan one, a red one, and a royal blue one. All were bought at drastically reduced prices; and even so, I would think it was overkill, but I wear all of them very often. (The one in these pictures is my current favorite.)

      Actually, I love coats (and sweaters and other layering garments) so much. Summer is my least favorite season as far as fashion goes.

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    2. In that last comment, I meant to do the winky face thing-- ;). Not sure what ";o" would even mean!

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  7. You look EXACTLY the part, Nurse Laura!

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    1. Ha ha! Thanks!

      And I'm guessing this bike speaks to you like it does to me?

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  8. You've a GREAT sense of humor and I admire that. Thanks for the post and pics!!...

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    1. Thanks for your comments--I always love to hear from readers and I'm glad you enjoyed this. I was so amused while we were doing our "photo shoot." :)

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  9. You look like you could just park your bike outside Nonnatus and go have a biscuit with Chummy. :) There are a few iffy plot lines here and there, but this is one of my favorite shows. It makes me want to become a doula once my kids are all grown...

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    1. So you love Chummy, too? She's my favorite, I think. So sweet.

      I've started season 4 now, and the plot lines seem to be getting a tad iffier here and there. But in general, I do love this show.

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