Vintage Photo: Flying Machine

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Working on a series of black and white negatives, I came across this photo. My curiosity immediately went into overdrive. I would love to know the history surrounding this moment. I am assuming these gentlemen are working on a flying machine. Obviously, I do not know the exact details.

In my opinion, the three men standing in front of a balloon are the ones who work on the flying machine. Now, the three men standing toward the right of the photo reminds me of investors into the project.  What do you think? Does anyone have any input into the photo?

Until next time….peace

Vintage Photo: Checking Time

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”
― Charles Darwin
The Life & Letters of Charles Darwin

I love working with old photos. I am always picking up negatives or slides from estate sales, eBay or local garage sales. Knowing my passion, friends and family members bring me boxes of old photos. Turning an unknown photo into a digital print is my own personal way to time travel. I get a small glimpse into the everyday lives of the average person.
Titling this photo, “Checking Time” I wish I knew their story. I would like to think one of these gentlemen are about to get married. The other three are showing him the time until he is considered a married man. I obviously have no idea about the photo. I wish I did. The negative from the print was in the same batch as some wedding photos.

Who knows? Maybe someday, a person out there in cyber-land will identify one photo.

Until next time…..peace

Abandonment

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Living in a rural community, I often view houses and other structures giving away to natural decay. I understand as estates go on the market, local farmers take the opportunity to purchase the large pieces of land. The extra acres allows for the planting of additional crops which in turn increases profits.

Even with the knowledge, I find the state of abandonment both sad and inspiriting. Imagining the previous owners through the decades, my curiosity always turns to stories. The farm houses make me think about large families surviving through the Michigan changing seasons. Other large grand estates make me wonder about holiday parties or fancy affairs. The deteriorating estates are still bringing a sense of worth through my own creative musings.

A Box of Old Photos

Posted on by Rebecca C.

My parents love to stop at antique stores and little thrift shops. Recently, they came across a box of old photos and postcards. They absolutely made my day by giving me this box. I felt like it was Christmas. I am slowly sorting through the material. I thought I would share one of the photos with you.

Written in pencil on the back:

Kate Sheffield

3 Nov 1911

The photo does show signs of age. The man in the photo is unidentified which of course makes me want to know who he is even more…

Until next time…peace

 

Old Stuff Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I just found out that March 2nd is Old Stuff Day. I love old stuff which you can tell by my obsession with vintage photographs and history. My mother blames it all on her father, my grandfather. She said I spent too much time with the “old fool”.  I can’t help it, I loved being with him. When I was a child, he and his girlfriend, Florence would go to every garage sale, estate sale, and church sale in the county. I felt like the luckiest

When I was a child, he and his girlfriend, Florence would go to every garage sale, estate sale, and church sale in the county. I felt like the luckiest girl, because I occasionally got to go along. I would come across the most wonderful treasures. My grandfather always seemed to have the best stories to go along with what I found. Oh, how I would love to spend 25 cents and hear one of his stories now. I guess that goes along with my obsession for listening to people’s stories, observing people and writing.

Now, I pick up used stuff to try and make new. I love the creative process. I thought I would share a couple recent upcycle’s or redos.

I took my old lamps that I picked up at a church sale and updated them with fresh paint.
I took my old lamps that I picked up at a church sale and updated them with fresh paint.
I am always picking up lawn ornaments and redoing them.
I am always picking up lawn ornaments and redoing them.

Until next time…peace

 

March is Women’s History Month

Posted on by Rebecca C.

The month of March is dedicated to women in history. I am thankful for all the women who have come before me to provide the rights that I have today. From Amelia Earhart to the women of the suffrage movement, I could go into great detail about the women I admire. But I like to share photos of women, I have come across through a variety of sources. Some of the women are related to me, others I have just found while sifting through stacks of old negatives. These are just everyday women who I believe deserve recognition. I wish I knew more of their stories.

These are just everyday women—–mothers, daughters, sisters and friends who I believe deserve recognition. For the ones I never met, I wish I knew more of their stories.

Flossie was a surgical nurse. She was trained after witnessing my grandfather getting hurt. The doctor thought she handled herself well and suggested the medical field. She was born in 1899.
Flossie was a surgical nurse. She was trained after witnessing my grandfather getting hurt. The doctor thought she handled herself well and suggested the medical field. She was born in 1899.
The Ladies in the Band
I wonder if they traveled with the band or if it was a once in a lifetime gathering?
Driving Cars
Her first car? First drive?
Happiness should always be shared.
Happiness should always be shared.
Searching
Searching–I wonder if she ever found Dottie Deweese. Was she waiting outside a bus or train station?

 

Oh! This Car

Posted on by Rebecca C.

As I work through these photos, there is always one or two items I would love. This beautiful car is one of them. I cannot tell you, the year or the model. I just know I love the old style.

The back of the photo reads “one of Edna’s”. Does that mean she had more than one car? During that time frame, women did not really own too many vehicles. The fact that she may have had more than one makes me wonder if the photos came from a family with wealth. Maybe I will find the answers one day.

Until next time…..peace

Cold River

Posted on by Rebecca C.

As I work through these old photos, I wonder about the people’s lives. I can’t help it. I enlarge the photos to find different clues. Even though a year was not provided, the photo was written on with the date July 4th. I would like to think the gathering was to celebrate Independence Day. They are definitely sitting on benches with tables under tents in the background.

The photo is also identified as being taken at Cold River. From research, I can tell you that Cold River runs over 16 miles through western Main and enters into New Hampshire. Currently with the White Mountain National Forest, the area is popular for camping with a picnic pavilion. Since I can only guess the year, I am assuming they are within a picnic area for holiday fun.

Until next time….peace

 

Station, Post Office & General Store

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I have been working through a box of old negatives, images and other vintage papers that I recently purchased. I absolutely love doing this type of “work”. I honestly do not see this as work. I enjoy transferring everything into digital format.  I can enlarge pieces of the photo to view the smallest of details.

For example, the sign by the door (on the right of the photo) reads American Express Co., there’s another word underneath that I have not been able to clearly identify. I believe the word is “agency”. But I am not 100% certain.

The sign above the door reads PAR___, but I do not know the rest of the word. Under the sign is International Smokeless______. Hopefully, I will be able to find more photos in the box that will relate back to this one.

The door on the left reads Post Office. The other sign hanging on the side of the building reads, American Express Co. But, I cannot read the words under the sign.

I can see the number 39 above the window.

The back of this photo reads station, post office and general store.

I wish they would have dated the print.

Just another photo mystery for me to try and solve.

Until next time….peace