Margot & Boys

Posted on by Rebecca C.

The photo reads Nordhäuser Straße, my German is limited. I do use Google translate for the rest. But I believe this is in reference to a road in Erfurt. If I am wrong, I apologize.

The writing on the back continues to read:

“Hi, this is the town my uncle lives in in E. Germany. He met us at the station July 10. We are all well-seeing many scars of the war years and taking many pictures. All the houses are of stucco-no wooden framed ones. My uncle’s house is very nice—modern and a few bullet holes outside from the war years. Will write again. Margot & Boys.”

I wish I knew more about Margot and her boys. I am enjoying this last bunch of photos and negatives. I find everything interesting with a slight hint of mystery. I am hoping to learn more as I finish this series of photos.

Until next time…peace

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

Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Today, December 8, 2015, is “Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day”.  Who has not thought about living in a different time, either past or future? I think, this is why I love old photos so much. I get a glimpse of time forgotten. Times not recorded in history books. Just everyday life being experienced by everyday people.

On a Train?
I have always loved this picture, I imagine him asking her to marry. I know, I am a hopeless romantic.
Working on a Plane
Working a plane?
Nurses
Nurses on vacation.
Military
Boarding a ship.
Hotel Federal
A hotel in a warm climate. Maybe someone went on their honeymoon.
x1
Just enjoying the outdoors
x5
Playing at a park

 

 

x4
Just relaxing

 

So if you had a chance to time travel, where would you go?

Until next time….peace

Old Slides

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I have been working on some old slides that I recently bought. When I picked up the boxes, they read: “my European trip”. I am really interested in these photos. I am hoping to find out more information as I continue to turn them into images. But I thought I would share a few to see if anyone can recognize the sites or provide other information.

I would assume this is a private airport or small air strip.
I would assume this is a private airport or small airport.

Another set of the slides focused on a tennis match. Now from the names on the back of the billboard sign I am able to read some of the names. I cannot tell which court, they were playing on. But from the names, I was able to figure out the slides were probably from the late 50’s or early 60’s.

a3
Outside the tennis stadium? Does anyone know the recognize the building? I do not have any knowledge about tennis.

 

 

a4
Tennis Match

 

 

I will share more as soon I finish turning them into prints.

Until next time….peace

 

 

 

 

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

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.

Hotel Federal?

Posted on by Rebecca C.

How did you spend your Sunday?  I spent most of mine working on some photos and catching up on some content writing for a couple of clients. At least I am a head of the deadlines. I think one of the reasons why I like working on this particular batch of photos is the area looks so warm.  I mean don’t get me wrong, we actually had a nice day here for winter in Michigan.

But the 28˚F is nothing like these recent photos from slides which feature palm trees, flamingos and sandy beaches.  I even had a dream last night I was standing in the ocean allowing the water wash over my sandals.  Perhaps I have been starring at these photos too much later.

Anyways, I thought I would share the one with the businesses in the background.  Perhaps someone will recognize the spot.  The hotel reads Home, Hotel Federal.  I could not find any verifiable information on the hotel.  The two stores that I could make out in the background are the Sweet & Blossum Florist and Coin Laundry.  Neither of these stores provide significant amount of detail for research.  But, I will keep digging to see what information I can find.

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Vintage Photo: The Kelso Funeral Home Girls Ensemble

Posted on by Rebecca C.

What can I say, I love vintage photographs.  The photos give me a glimpse at a different time, a time gone by.  I cannot honestly say if these times were better or worse.  I really think that is a matter of perspective. The photos will sometimes contain names which I am always researching.  But, most of the time the photographs just reveal lost memories.

I take these old photos, slides or negatives clean them up as best I can with the use of digital enhancement.  I try not to lose the grittiness of the old prints.  I think that is what makes them so unique and interesting.

I recently was fortunate to come across some photos from an estate sale.  I love that the person that owed this photo wrote a story on the back.  Old stories are why I love finding these treasures.  Most of the photos that I get are a mystery.  But this one had background information. This is what the story reads:

   The Kelso Funeral Home Girls Ensemble began when Dorothy and all except Allene Rayburn & Polly Anna O’Neil were in the 7th grade.  In those days most, but not all funerals in Wellington were held in churches in the town.  This group was formed by Mr.  & Mrs. Jimmie Kelso to provide music for those funerals held in his funeral home-mainly because those people could not afford to pay for someone sing.  I shall never forget the Kelson’s & Mrs. Elliot for all they did for us.  As time went on we provided music for many functions-even performed on radio in Vernon, Texas. This was in the depression and none of the families represented here could have afforded voice lessons for any of us or the money to travel as we did.  Mr.  & Mrs. Kelso & Mrs. Elliot did that out of their pockets.  All of us dearly loved them and shall never forget them. “1986”—Dear Cora Clark Holton and Polly Anna O’Neil have passed away. 

Front row:  Polly Anna O’Neil (pianist), Dorothy Holcomb, Cora Clark, Allene Rayburn (Pianist after Polly Anna O’Neil

Back Row:  Betty Lou Blanton (?), Faye Moore, Mrs. Elliot (Director), Frances Nunnelly, & Virginia Blideao.