Sepia Saturday provides bloggers with an opportunity to share their history through the medium of photographs. Historical photographs of any age or kind become the launchpad for explorations of family history, local history and social history in fact or fiction, poetry or prose, words or further images.
I looked through my photographs and could only find pictures of me with an umbrella, so my offering for the prompt today will be all about me…
This first picture was taken outside Charles’ and Abbie’s Place – a gas station/grocery store/cafe owned by my grandparents. They lived on the property and I also lived there with my parents as a baby and toddler. The picture shows part of the lot beside and behind the business, including two small houses, a water pump and a picnic table.
On a sunny summer day my umbrella was for protection from the sun rather than rain.
I’m a little older in the next picture. No rain on this day either. I think I am standing outside the house of my other grandparents – Tom and Eveline Hoskins. It looks like a neighbor’s house in the background, although the driveway that would be on one side of their yard is not there, nor is the hedge that would be on the other side of the yard, so I am a little confused.
This picture feels like fall to me, so I’ll venture a guess that I received a new purse, coat, hat, gloves and umbrella for my October birthday.
I am one of those people who thinks that a rainy day is wonderful if you can stay at home and listen to the rain and thunder outside while you read and drink tea, or sit on your porch and watch the rain.
In 1966, my 13-year-old self thought that this song by The Hollies was very romantic. I fantasized about finding true love under an umbrella at a bus stop, just as depicted in the lyrics.
When I was in college a deluge caught me across campus from my German class and without an umbrella. I couldn’t afford to miss class that day and I arrived soaked to the core; made squishing noises as I walked across the old wooden floor to my desk; and a puddle formed on the floor under my chair as my hair and clothing dripped and dripped. I had just started dating my future husband, who was also in my German class. I didn’t know whether to be angry or embarrassed that he didn’t seem to recognize me.
So much for adolescent fantasies.
On this very hot sunny day in Texas where drought plagues us again this year, I invite you to sit in the shade of an umbrella or enjoy a rainy day as you read what others have prepared for Sepia Saturday.
I think you’re allowed to make it all about you, particularly when you have a pair of such cute photos to share with us. That second one says, “I’m heading out for some more shopping!”
Thanks, Brett. I do look like I’d like to do a bit more shopping, don’t I?
OMG – I remember all the words and could sing right along. That was fun. Your photos are really sweet. I hope you figure out why you’re confused about the driveway and hedge: did they come later in your memory? was this not your grandparents’ yard?
I’m still singing along. 🙂 I’m thinking it was taken toward the side of the yard away from the driveway, but I don’t remember exactly what the house next door looked like because it seems like bushes and plants kind of blocked the view. Maybe my memory is stuck at a later time.
You look so cute with your umbrellas. My mother didn’t think umbrellas were suitable for children.
Aw – too bad about the no umbrella rule. Maybe since I was an only child at the time, it didn’t seem too much to keep up with.
You look so happy in both pictures! The umbrellas just add to your glow. I remember the Hollies and playing 45s! And I confess that I, too, have always thought umbrellas were romantic.
Thanks for your nice comments, Mariann. Glad to know I’m not the only one with those romantic notions!
What is quite fascinating is how this particular theme has pushed us all forward a generation or two so we are featuring photographs of ourselves in our youth. Back in the days when photographs were rare objects, the idea of taking a photograph in the rain would have been most unusual.
You’re right about that, Alan. I wondered if there would be old studio photographs with umbrellas as props, but I sure don’t have any.
You looked so cute! Love those flowers on your head. I am one of those people too who think of the rain the way you described it.
Thanks, Hazel! Yes – I’m pretty impressed by those flowers too. 🙂 I don’t remember it, but I guess it was a hat or headband-type thing covered in flowers.
How wonderful to have not one, but two, photos of yourself with an umbrella! And such sweet pictures they are too.
Thanks. I’m glad somebody thought to take them of me.
You were definitely proud to be photographed with your new umbrella and purse.
Yes, I think I was. I didn’t often get an outfit so well accessorized!
Very cute and appropriate for the theme. But now I have an earworm left over from that song!
Sorry! Thanks for taking in the whole experience.
That second shot of you is so perfect, right down to the gloves. And thanks for the Hollies reminder. Yes, it was always a romantic song in an odd 1960s sort of way.
Thanks. I guess I wasn’t the only one who thought Bus Stop was romantic.
Lovely shots!!!
Loved the song.
Auf wiedersehen!!
😀
HUGZ
Danke!
Cute photos!
Your comment on my post about the shoes tying your tongue really made me laugh.
Barbara
Glad to give you a chuckle. Thanks for stopping by.