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 Milan Cathedral

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I recently purchased some negatives from an estate sale. Unlike photographs, I really cannot tell the subject matter of the negatives until I start turning them into images. I usually save the negatives for the winter months when the weather keeps me indoors. But, I could not sleep last night (too much caffeine). So, I decided to “play” with some photos.

One of the first images, I produced was this beautiful cathedral. After researching different architectural structures, I found out this is the Milan Cathedral in Italy. The structure is beautiful. I wish I could fly there right now to view the spectacular place. The Milan Cathedral is 5th largest church in the entire world. We definitely do not have anything that amazing around here. Here are some other facts:

  • The Milan Cathedral is the second largest church in Italy.
  • The cathedral is dedicated to St. Mary of the Nativity.
  • The Italian Gothic cathedral took over six centuries to build. Originally started in 1386 and finished in 1965.
  • The cathedral has a capacity of 40,000.
  • The cathedral is made out of Candoglia marble.
  • The cathedral holds the seat of the Archbishop of Milan which is currently Cardinal Angelo Scola.

The old image I revised does not even come close to showing the beauty of the place. As a person who loves history, I definitely would like to visit the Milan Cathedral. I was on their official website. (http://www.duomomilano.it/en/visit-us/) The cathedral holds various events including organ concerts, Concert by the Choir of Duomo di Milano, and Concert for violin e violcello. The concerts and the guided tours would keep me there for days.

Until next time…..peace

 

When We Wrote Letters

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Before the electronic age, we wrote letters. Technically I still  write letters, I have pen pals all over the world which I communicate with via the “old” way. I like sipping on tea while writing a letter. I find the process to be a creative outlet.

I am a history fanatic. I am not talking about the grand events that everyone learns about in schooling. I am referring to the ordinary people who lived decades ago. I spend time restoring old photos that I pick up at yard and estate sales. I also pick up old scrap books.(I know, I am slowly heading to be a future candidate for that show “Hoarders”).

Anyways, I thought I would share a letter from 1934. I copied it out to the best of my ability; some of the hand writing was hard to read.

St. Johns, Michigan

May 21, 1934

Dear People:

Did the sand storm hit you tonight? We had just finish supper. I sailed around and closed up all doors and windows. It was fierce for a little while. It’s trying hard to rain but I’m afraid it won’t do a very good job and we do need rain so badly.

Alex sent me some cabbage and tomato plants. I sent them out last Thurs. night. I was out looking at them tonight. I see they are doing quite well in spite of dry weather. I must put in some more stuff. The lettuce and radishes are up and the onion sets are growing fine.

R.D. (?) has the silo corn in 6 acres. Then, he has about 3 more acres ready to plant and about 6 more acres to plow. The cement is all in and dry for the horse stable floor and the men are putting the stalls in. We keep the horses across the way in McPhearson barn. The old hog had 11 little hogs yesterday and she has 6 left so far. Dale took 6 pigs and a calf for us in his load last Mon. night. He got here about 12 p.m.

Morning 9:00 R.D. folks and Lydia Chas. and Pauline came last night so I didn’t have time to write anymore. We had been to bed about an hour when Dale and Yolanda (?) came popping in. She came after some bedding to take on their trip. Next Sunday night she is invited to a Mimanite (I think it’s supposed to be Mennonite) wedding so she probably won’t be home till Mon. night and by that time may be something else will pop up.

Well it’s a lovely cool morning after the storm. Not enough rain but it helped out a lot. When do you have Decoration? Donnalee said you have Augusta’s and Lloyd’s reception this coming Friday eve. I hope for the sake of your pocketbooks there won’t be any more weddings for some time. Does Augusta come to church?

There were just a few out to church Sunday here. Hardly as many as we have at home.

Does Arlene like her place as well as ever?

Guess I will have to wait till Donnalee gets home to get my flowers over there.

R.D. don’t have any time to run around and I can’t drive yet.

Wayne can but of course he can’t get a driver’s license yet. Well there is a lot of work waiting to be done so must get at it.

We don’t have to separate the milk anymore. Take it to the cheese factory every morning in the Rapids.

We are all well per usual and hope you are too.

Love to all

Lola B.P.

The Buch girls ask about you Saturday.  Yesterday Kaufman’s and the Lindsey’s called for about an hour. Mr. and Mrs. Hillyer were here Thurs. night for finger ? which she got. Yes, our kitchen is done. I guess this week I plan to do more cleaning.

Lots of Love

Mother.

 

 If anyone is interested, you can find some of my photo restoration work here.

http://thephotogypsy.zenfolio.com/pastmemories

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.

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).

x5

 

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.

 

x4

 

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.

 

x3

 

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.

x2

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.

 

x1

 

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.

Old Buildings: Great Character

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I love old buildings, they have such great character.  Being the history nerd that I am, I would love to know who lived in the house which is located on a farm.  Was the house big inside? Was there a family? But until I know the facts, I can only guess at these abandoned places in Michigan. I know farmers by land to plant crops. If old houses or other buildings are on they land, they usually go to ruin.

The buildings seem full of despair; they were once grand homes or barns.  Now, they are falling apart in deterioration.

Abandoned barn in Gratiot County, Michigan
Abandoned barn in Gratiot County, Michigan

Vintage Military Photos

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Sorting through old black and white negatives is time consuming.  But when come across certain images, the whole process is extremely rewarding. I thought I would share a few of the military photos that I have been making into digital prints.  The negatives are old and wore; the prints are as best as I can do with what I have to work with.

Military

I honestly cannot tell you if they are going to see or coming in this photo.  There are more negatives from this estate sale.  I am hoping to come across more photos of the ship and the scene.

On a Train?

I absolutely love this photo.  I have no way of known what is actually being said between the couple.  But I would like to think, he just asked her to marry him.

Nurses

These two women are in a lot of the photos.  I am not 100% sure, but I think they are nurses. They look like they were with a group who were on a leave.  The two woman appear in various photos that also have landscape photos in the negatives.

Working on a Plane

These three gentleman look like they were working on a plane.  Or perhaps, they are just talking.

If there is anyone who can see any details in these photos, that may help in the research.  I would love input.  I am curious as usual.

The Face of the Lady in the Black Coat

Posted on by Rebecca C.

For the last couple of weeks, I have been working on this particular set of photos that I purchased from an estate sale last summer. The photo work is time consuming because the images are being taking off from old slides which means I have to scan each one. Then, apply any corrections or repairs to the digital image.

I have not been able to identify any particular landmark or state (or even which country) these photos were original snapped.  So far, the photos have shown a warm climate with palm trees and beaches.  Many of these photos also had a woman in a black coat.  The lady always had her back turned or the photo was completely blurred. So, I could not really see who was in these photos….until today.  Thankfully, the lady in the black coat and traveling companion had their photo snapped by a sign.

The sign gave me more information than any of all the previous photos so far.  The ladies had their picture taking at the Castillo de San Marcos which is a U.S. National Monument on the shore of Matanzas Bay in St. Augustine, Florida.  The sign reads:

U.S. Department of the Interior-National Park Service

Castillo de San Marcos

National Monument

The Spanish fort, begun in 1672, stood firm against English attacks and helped Spain to hold Florida for many years. During the American Revolution it was a British stronghold.

 Later it become a U.S. Military prison.

Open daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Admission 25¢

Children Under 12 Free

The fort definitely has a long standing history; I love the fact that admission was a quarter. I have been to fort here in Michigan; the cost is definitely more than a quarter.  I am not saying the forts or monuments are not worth the costs, I am just pointing out the difference in pricing.

If I were to make assumptions about this photo, I would guess the photo was taking in the late 1960’s to early 70’s.  I base this opinion on the fact that I took the photo from a slide. The women were most likely traveling with their husbands or as part of tour group.  I am hoping as I make my way through the rest of these slides, I can find more details.  The sets I am currently working on have more of the fort (I am assuming) plus other tourist type photos.  Who knows perhaps someday, someone will recognize one these ladies and be able to tell me their story.