Jean White of Seminole wants everyone to know she doesn't collect the bugs. Don't buy her more. (Unless you really want to.)
By KELLEY BENHAM
Published November 22, 2003
[Times photo: Lara Cerri]
Jean White once made a scrapbook of dragonflies. “When I did the book and I started taking pictures of the dragonflies I thought good heavens, I’ve given in.”
Where are they? They do not appear to be swarming.
Oh, no. No. They're tucked away. They're not that big. They sneak up on you. See, I look around. Here's one. Here's one, and over there. See, they're just scattered everywhere. I've got the dragonfly cups and the glasses and the clothes. . . .
It's gotten to be a family joke.
How did it start?
I bought a dragonfly silver pin in Tijuana just because I liked it. Then I bought a stained glass window, an antique one. Well, I just liked the colors. It doesn't look like a dragonfly.
After that my family decided I collect dragonflies. Every time they give me something I say, "You know I don't collect dragonflies."
That was about five years ago. It just grew and grew like Topsy.
I have pajamas, slippers, lights over the curtains, cookie cutters. I did make dragonfly cookies. They turned out good.
How many dragonflies do you have?
Oh, I don't have any idea.
A thousand?
You think?
Hundreds?
Probably.
Do you like dragonflies?
Well, yes. They're silvery and kind of ethereal, like fairies. I appreciate the people who gave them to me. They're special for that.
Tell us about yourself.
I'm retired. I helped build Osceola Middle School. I was the first secretary in 1985. I was there eight years. I'm widowed. I have two sisters and a brother. Two daughters. I'm 73.
Did you ever really collect anything?
I used to collect pigs. I worked at the vocational agriculture center and there again, the family started me a pig collection. But I'm out of the pig business now. I put my foot down.
Have you put your foot down about the dragonflies?
No. Not yet.
I try to downplay. Look, I don't want dragonflies. I don't need any more dragonflies. But they'll slip one in.
Are you perhaps in denial about your collection?
I'm trying to be.
I made a scrapbook. "Chronicle of a Non-Collector." When I did the book and I started taking pictures of the dragonflies I thought good heavens, I've given in.
What does this say about you?
I'm whimsical.
What does it say about your family?
They're a little kooky also.
Do you collect anything else?
No. Not really. No.
Are you sure?
Yes.
- This feature, normally called "It's My Thing," is about people and their collections or treasured objects. Address submissions to "It's My Thing," Floridian, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. E-mail: features@sptimes.com No attachments. Photographs cannot be returned.
