SPREADING THE SEASON

With logistics in large families, its not always possible to get together on the actual holiday. It matters little when the really important element is just to get together once in a while. This week was siblings week. Three out of five brothers and my sister managed a holiday dinner that included brother Clark’s daughter, Melissa and her daughter Stella.

Sweet Stella brought cookies she decorated for the occasion.

Norman, far left, last visited with family members 19 years ago. Far too long we decided.

Clark’s family is complete, so of course we posed for pictures.

Brother Bill has been a bachelor for a long time. When his wife Sandi was alive, he teasingly called her Loni which stood for Little Or No Ironing. Now he demonstrates the way a bachelor can heat up leftover pizza if he doesn’t own a microwave.
Catching up was fun. We looked at old family photos and enjoyed a lot of humorous stories of a life we shared long ago.
Since I haven’t had a signal I spent over an hour on the phone with technical support and finally got back on -line this evening. Even so, its with a catch. I have to stay plugged into my office attached directly to the modem. No wireless for me. It reminds me of the days when you had to stand within five feet of the phone to speak to anyone while the kids plundered the dresser drawers knowing you were tethered.  But, it was fine for its time. Now, wireless is the way to go.

HOOKED ON OLD PHOTOS

I’ll have to admit I’ve become fascinated by aspects of the old photos I’m working with. It should come as no surprise because out on the road I’ve looked at other peoples old photos in museums or old houses and they have this compelling attraction. What really affects me is seeing  unknown faces sweetly sad or sincere staring at me in a second hand store-discarded.

Seeing them gives you a small glimmer into what life was like. Wearing dresses buttoned up high on the neck would drive me nuts. Tight, scratchy and less comfortable materials than we are used to, besides. And the hat. I once tried to copy my aunt’s hat in paper for a fourth grade project. I think I still have a picture of it and now I’m bent on finding it and seeing how well I did.

Somehow, I didn’t see this picture of my mother and a boyfriend of hers until she was 79 years old. It was given to her by a friend who didn’t want to throw it away. It brought gales of laughter to both of us. My dignified mother in this funny pose. I never thought of my mom acting like a typical young girl. Older photos tend to be so serious.

Everyone called me a “Tomboy” when I was growing up.  Now I see where I got it from. I loved climbing trees, but in a skirt and hat? Not on your life!  What a hoot to see Aunt Alice up a tree. Now, I’m thinking, I should resort to having my picture taken doing something silly so my great grandchildren can laugh at me.

Here is my uncle Myron in a “formal” photograph. Boys then were dressed in dresses until they no longer needed diapers. He was very special to my grandmother because he was her first son. My grandmother lost six children that were still born before his birth. That figure alone boggles my mind.

And, look at that fancy chair! The fancy chairs and props the studios used in those days for photos also fascinates me. Some of you know I take pictures of chairs where ever I go. 

Then Jim reminded me I already have some pretty silly photos. This one, an imitation of Minny Pearl while we were shopping for a hat for him.

And, here I am up a tree picking apples last year. But somehow, I don’t think I look silly. Aunt Alice probably didn’t think she looked sillY either. Time will tell.