Back when I was compiling the list of June Special Days that appealed to me, I saw that June 29th was International Mud Day. That brought to mind a photo I'd taken forty years ago....
The city had just laid the sidewalks, but the yards and boulevards hadn't been graded yet, so were still a giant mess of dirt, and then we got some heavy rain. I did my best for the first part of the next day to keep my two little boys (Chris who was 3, and Nick who was just 1 1/2) on the sidewalks, but as they got dirtier, I finally gave up, and just let them jump in....
Jan arrived home from work shortly after, and the two muddy little boys ran to greet him. Jan could barely get out of the car, he was laughing so hard.
Well, I wanted to capture that same feel with Ringo, but without any risk to the doll. I stripped him, then wrapped both legs in double layers of sandwich bags, right up to his armpits, then put his coveralls back on overtop. It had been pouring rain that morning, and I expected there would be plenty of mud up at the construction site just north of us. Thinking ahead, knowing I was bound to get dirty myself, I took along bottles of soapy and plain water, washcloths and a towel, and plastic bags just in case. Then we headed to the construction site in search of the perfect puddle. I found it at the very first semi-paved 'intersection'. There was a huge puddle beside the pavement, with a big pile of dirt beyond.....
Well, I wanted to capture that same feel with Ringo, but without any risk to the doll. I stripped him, then wrapped both legs in double layers of sandwich bags, right up to his armpits, then put his coveralls back on overtop. It had been pouring rain that morning, and I expected there would be plenty of mud up at the construction site just north of us. Thinking ahead, knowing I was bound to get dirty myself, I took along bottles of soapy and plain water, washcloths and a towel, and plastic bags just in case. Then we headed to the construction site in search of the perfect puddle. I found it at the very first semi-paved 'intersection'. There was a huge puddle beside the pavement, with a big pile of dirt beyond.....
I positioned Ringo and dribbled some mud onto his coveralls and on the top of his head. I never intended for the mud to actually get all over his face and arms, but it had dribbled down off his hair, and once it was everywhere I just took the photos before cleaning him up....
I pulled Ringo out of the puddle and took a few close ups while Jan held him....
I wanted to carefully take my time cleaning him off, so placed him on plastic bags on the drive home. Once home it was time to clean him up...but first I took a picture...
The plastic bags under his clothes...
His clothes went into the wash, and I wiped him down with a soft cloth. He didn't get any dirt or water into his joints. I shampooed his wig, and when everything was dry, put it all back on him, good as new.
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