LOOKING BACK on a friendship and summer

Why is it summertime brings back such vivid memories? I think more so than other times of the year. But then, maybe it's just me.

I don't know the story behind this house or the two women sitting on the porch. Perhaps it wasn't even taken in the summer. I have my reasons for guessing that this might actually be Florida which means it could be just about any time of the year. They can have windows open all year long. Of course, with the weather changes everywhere, I can remember having my doors and windows open in February this year.

So, if the warmth of the summer is what helps to make memories so vivid, does this mean with global warming we'll be getting more memories throughout the year?

It's okay, I ramble like this sometimes. I'm not in need of medical attention. It's just the heat and the memories I'm making.


Click on image to see it larger.

BENCH or two-holer?

A couple questions about this shot.

Boy or girl?

Bench or two-holer?

Whatever is going on, I like the dappled sunlight.

The TROLL DOLL really adds mystery to the shot

Don’t you hate it when people put you on their “cc” email list and constantly send you tons of photos of cute baby animals? 

But do they send you cute baby kittens with a troll doll?

Click on image to see it larger. But seriously, what's the point?

To see more vintage snapshots of pets click on the “PETS” label below.

I'M WALKIN' HERE! with the Mob

Another in the category of "I'm Walkin Here!"

I've always found this shot interesting because I've decided he's a mobster with a broken hand. Oh sure, the copy says he got it broken at "music school," but I'm guessing he was carrying a violin case at the time.

"Broke hand on Jan. 5, 1951 at Music School - cast off Feb. 5"


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I'M WALKIN' HERE! within the Twilight Zone

Another image in the "I'm Walkin' Here!" category.

A boring photo for sure, but look at the mannequin in the background. What if that's the mannequin played by actress Anne Francis in the Twilight Zone episode The After Hours. The whole feeling of the image would change. Of course, that's why I bought this dull photo. I secretly wished the mannequin was from the 9th floor.


Click on image to see it larger.

Don't remember the episode? Read about it here.

X MARKS THE SPOT Deconstructed

There was a suggestion to take this past Sepia Saturday post and deconstruct the image. Sounded good to me.

As I looked at the faces of the women and the costumes they’re wearing all sorts of silly ideas came to mind. Then I thought of Rosa who was born in Europe but left, I believe, before the war. With that thought I had a new perspective of the context in which these women lived. This shot was possibly taken in Europe which means these women were soon to face years and years of war. I could no longer be flippant about them. Let their silly hats do the speaking while we fill in the missing pieces of their lives.

Strangely, the most classically pretty in the bunch is the one whose face is destroyed with the fold in the photo. I'm sure it was by accident.

X MARKS THE SPOT, Perhaps the Other Is Simply Named Dot

This week's Sepia Saturday said amateur theatrical production to me and I knew exactly what shot I would contribute.

I have no information about these lovely ladies. My best friend and I have speculated that the one with the dots coming out of her head might be Rosa, but we just can’t be sure. Now, only folks who have been here for a long time will recognize the name Rosa. For those who know nothing about her simply click on the word “Rosa” in the labels below.

Whatever is going on, let’s hope there were tea and cakes to be had after the shot was taken.


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I'M WALKIN' HERE!

Yes, “I’m Walkin’ Here!” is a vernacular photography category, a category I don’t actually persue. There are simply so many of these images available that I usually just go right past them in the boxes at the antique store. Once in a while I do buy them if what’s going on in the background is interesting or the reaction of those being photographed draws me in.

Click on image to see it larger.

These sort of shots were taken by wandering photographers, sort of like the type you find as you come off a gangplank on a cruise ship. The difference is that you expect the ones on the cruise ship, not the ones in the middle of the sidewalk who leap out at you.

What I really wonder about is what percentage of people who were photographed actually showed up to buy the shots? And what sort of mishaps did the photographers have to deal with? I’m guessing there are some interesting stories to be told.

Probably one of the most famous couples walking down the street are Joe Buck and Ratso Rizzo from the movie Midnight Cowboy. Did any photographer ever have an encounter with someone like Ratso? You couldn't pay me enough to do that job.