30 Days of Thanks-Day 6-Mrs. Boardman’s Pics

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Today, November 6, 2015, is the sixth day in the 30 Day of Thanks challenge. I’ve actually been enjoying reading everyone’s “thanks” or “blessings” posts.

Day 6

I am thankful for Mrs. Helen Boardman’s pictures. So, who is Mrs. Boardman? Well, honestly I have no idea. I bought these negatives from an estate sale years ago. On the outside of the envelope in the customer’s name section in pencil was the name: Helen Boardman (pics).  I have slowly been turning the negatives into digital images.

I wish I knew more about the people in the photos.

  • Who there were?
  • How was their life story?
  • Were they happy?
  • Did they get married?
  • How many children did they have?
  • Were they on vacation during the photos?
  • Has their story lived on?

I will probably never know any of the answers. I just enjoy the process.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle,

and the life of the candle will not be shortened.

Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

—Buddha—

I originally posted this photo to my personal Facebook page with the comment, “I don’t know who they are but they look like they were having fun.” A friend of mine replied, they look like us on a girls’ night as we head out to dinner and a movie. She’s right. When we get together, we laugh and share our stories. These ladies were probably no different than the rest of us.

I cannot tell if these ladies were sisters or friends. If they were together at a family gathering or just enjoying each other’s company, I will probably never know. Perhaps they were part of the “Ladies in the Band”. ( https://rebeccaswritingsandphotography.com/2015/10/13/ladies-in-the-band/) I produced the image from the same group of negatives I purchased at an estate sale.  I just know at this moment, they were happy.

As we travel through life’s daily trials, being happy with our family and friends is one of the greatest achievements.

Until next time…peace

Ladies in the Band

Posted on by Rebecca C.

The ladies in the band…well at least that is what I am calling them. I really do not know anything about their story. I purchased this set of negatives from an estate in Michigan. There was not any other information to go along with the find.

I have been trying to research the sign behind the ladies. I was hoping I could figure out a year for the pictures. Any ideas?
I have been trying to research the sign behind the ladies. I was hoping I could figure out a year for the pictures. Any ideas?

I would love for someone to tell me the story around their performance.

  • Were they in a band?
  • Were they putting on a program or play?
  • Were they travelers?
  • What type of music did they play?
  • Did anyone sing?

What Were They Doing?

I would love to hear your theories. Do you know their story?

Until next time….peace

 

The Blanket of Winter Approaches

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.”

– J.R.R. Tolkien

The past week has been cooler which allows me to enjoy every bit of the outdoors. I am not much for hot humid days. I know I should not complain about the heat because winter will be here before I know it. I can already see the signs of the upcoming fall season.

  • Leaves are beginning to turn a fainter green as they prepare for their burst of colors.
  • The summer birds are becoming more scarce as they begin their long migration south to warmer areas. I rarely see Egrets or the Cranes at the old river. I miss the rattle voice of the Sandhill Crane on the river flats.
  • The birds that are still here are gathering in great numbers. I see them flying above the tree tops. They seem to be going back and forth in a harmonic formation as if to gain strength to prepare for their upcoming journey.
  • The days are slowly growing shorter as the frogs and crickets continue to sing their last praises of summer.
  • The squirrels and chipmunks scurry across the dirt paths in the woods where I walk. I see them clutching acorns and walnuts to hoard for the long winter.
  • The nights are cooler which provides a gentle breeze through open windows.

I love this time of year. I know warmer days are still in the forecast. But I am ready for September and October. The two months that seem to be speak to my heart as the blanket of winter approaches. Mother Nature always provides the settle hints that a new season will soon be issued in. Even though today is rainy, I plan to enjoy as much of the outdoors as I possible can during this transition of seasons.

Until next time….peace…

Glimpse of the Past

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“Look back, and smile on perils past.” –Walter Scott

I have been spending the last couple of days working on some old  negatives. The negatives were in a box that was among my grandfather’s belongings. I am slowly trying to scan and organize them. I wish I knew more about the photos, the trip and the overall experience.

I do know my grandfather would take his mother and sisters up to Canada to visit relatives: the Hewitt’s. So I am assuming some of the photos are from this experience and trip.

This particular photo is actually Mackinaw Island which is here in Michigan between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.. After some much needed help from my social media page, the photo was taking looking down from the Grand Hotel. You can actually see the Chippewa Hotel clearly. I cannot pinpoint the year or approximately the year the photo was taking. I am still researching.

I find these old photos of the past intriguing. The photos show the best of what the family went through during the hardest times.

Until next time…peace….

©RebeccaCaesarPhotography. 2015. All rights reserved.

Happy Mother’s Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

A special shout out to all:

the mothers, grandmothers, foster moms, stand in moms, and fathers doing double duty.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you!

You are all doing a wonderful job.

My mother was over earlier. My parents live right next to me. I am able to see them both on a daily basis. Finding the right gift for my mom is difficult, she pretty much has everything she wants. But I did get her a garden ornament for her flower bed.

When I was younger, my mother made sure my siblings and I had fun times especially on summer vacation. We may not have had a lot of extra spending money but she would encourage us to be outdoors. (I think it was just so she could have peace and quiet in the house).

We (along with my cousins) would go to local play parks or head to up to go swimming in the man-made lake in our local community. Spending every day in motion filled our time off from school. Swimming, bike riding, skate boarding, or just playing on the farm filled our days. Hide and seek filled our late summer evenings. Mom knew where we all were; there was always extra kids around. Actually, there still is extras around their house on weekends.

She would build blanket tents on the clothes line. I would spend hours inside the tent.  On other occasions, she would create a treasure map for me to follow around the farm. Being outdoors fueled my imagination and gave me my start for the love of nature.

The smallest gestures have a long, lasting impact.

So for my mother, Happy Mother’s Day!

Until next time…peace.

Farmer

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I am curious about this old photo like all photos I come across.  What I assume about this photo……

  • The gentleman is a farmer.
  • He is either water or fertilizing the plant.
  • Another option, the plants have a bug or slug; the farmer is applying a pesticide.
  • The area looks dry.
  • I like the fence around the garden which would aid in keeping bunnies away.

Other than that, I have no other ideas on what the farmer is doing. If he is watering each plant, the task would be time consuming.  The garden appears to be a large one.

My Favorite Vintage Photos of the Week

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Michigan has been displaying typical winter weather this week which means I have stayed indoors more than usual.  Even though I keep myself pretty busy with my writings, I have had extra time on my hands.  So, I turn to my stacks of negatives and slides to change them into digital prints.

These are six of my favorite vintage photos of the week.  Since there is another snow storm in the forecast for the weekend, I am certain I will have more favorites soon.

The main image (featured image) shows three children playing on a bike.  I love everything about this photo. I am assuming they are all girls just spending time outdoors together. The girls seem to be enjoying themselves.  The laundry hanging in the background is definitely a sign of the times (even though I hang my blankets out on the clothes line in the summer months too).

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The photo of the children on the swing brings back memories.  My siblings are younger than me. They use to sit on my lap while I would swing.  Of course, that was before swings came with child seats and safety harnesses.  But despite everything that could have went wrong by swinging two on a seat, we still had a good time.

 

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This is one of the older photos that I have redone.  The negative was most likely from the late 60’s or early 70’s which corresponds with the way with the young men are dressed.  They just seem to be “hanging out” in a park.

 

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I am bad with uniforms, but to me she looks like a military nurse.  I like her smile. Perhaps, she was on leave or maybe she just received her credentials to be a nurse.  I know the possibilities are endless.

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This photo looks like a family gathering of sorts.  I love how the boy in the front has a big and somewhat fake smile.  While the other boy in the background is giving “bunny ears” to the boy who has no idea.

 

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Two young girls on a wooden swing.  I love everything about this photo.  I am considering having a swing like this built for my photo sessions.  I really like the idea especially with the fence in the background.

Snow Storm, Photos & Memories

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Mid-Michigan is in the middle of a snow storm right now. So, I have put some extra wood in the fireplace to stay warm. Now, I am just working on some old negatives turning them into digital prints.  I am thankful that I really did not have anywhere important to go today.  The area could see up to 14 inches of snow by morning. I am just hoping that all those who have to get out for work are safe in their travels.

I honestly do not think these photos have been viewed since they were taking.  No one remembers the photos.  But I am enjoying the trip down memory lane. The first photo I am sharing with all of you today is of my grandfather and his first wife.  He was actual married twice before he met my grandmother.  At the same time, she had been married two times before.  They both agreed the third marriage was the best.  I love the old car in the photo, I wish I had that to play around with today.

I was surprised to find a photo of myself mixed in with his negatives.  Of course, I can’t really remember him taking the photo.  I can tell you the photo is over 40 years old.  The photo made me laugh.  My mom always tried to put us girls in dresses.  If you look closely at the photo, you will notice I am not wearing any shoes and I have band aids on my knee.  I loved being outdoors.  Still do.  And, yes I still walk around with no shoes on during the summer.  I think being without shoes connects you with nature.

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I hope everyone has a wonderful evening.  If you are out in this nasty snow storm, safe travels.