Faces from the past

Today's old historical images aren't going to get a lot of commentary from me. Just look at these photos and imagine the thoughts and feelings of the people, now long gone, and what their lives must have been like. These aren't famous people; most have no names. But there are a lot of stories here, if we could only hear them.

Immigrants, getting their first look at the skyline of New York City.

 

Written in pencil on the back of this card is "Miss Sunshine Fontane, 1926".

Sitting on the porch. Maybe after church on Sunday.

A day at the beach.

Native American portraits.

I hope you've enjoyed this trip into the past. My next blog will contain the usual garish colors and silly writing.

Beware of ducks on scooters

My friend Vincent is annoyed with me because I haven't had an "art card" day in a while. So to appease him, and to keep him from cutting anything else off, today shall be such a day. Not all necessarily "fine art", although I happen to think all of today's pictures are fine. Let's hope this cheers Vincent up a bit.

 

Vincent appears to have been playing with the lipstick again. He really does need some help. He should get out and go dancing.

I really like this painting. It's called "Interior with reading woman" by Dutch painter Pieter Janssens Elinga [1623-1682]. This woman took up reading when a neighbor borrowed her TV set and never returned it.

Here is a very nice street scene on a card I received from Latvia. Unfortunately I can't make out who the artist was. If any of you can supply this information, I'll send you a postcard. Whether you need one or not.

Now let's sail from the fine art world into art that just makes me smile. I hope it has the same effect on you.

I know you probably get tired of my frequent safety tips, but this is really important. While driving, should you encounter a duck on a scooter, DO NOT race him! He is a speed-loving, web-footed danger on the highway.

For a change, it is not raining here in Oregon, but if it was I'd want to huddle under an umbrella with some good friends like these. This was drawn by Czech artist Zdeněk Miler.

OK Vincent, how'd I do?

Picnic time!

Above are some scenes from Hawes, Yorkshire, England, an old market town. Hawes is now home to the Wensleydale Creamery where you can get some wonderful cheese.

And here's a typical French Provençal cheese stall. I bet there's some good baguettes close by and probably a bottle of wine. Anyone for a picnic?

If you find yourself in Kuala Lumpur you can pick up a delicious roasted duck.

Isn't this the cutest little train? From Langeoog on the German coast.

They sure have some beautiful scenery in New Zealand.

Nagoya Castle in Japan. Notice the two golden dolphins on top of the donjon. I don't know what "donjon" means, but that's what it says on the card. And you thought I was just smart.

Here are some sights from Idaho, Oregon's neighbor and home of wonderful potatoes. Well, I'm back to food again so it must be time for that picnic. Be sure to pick a private place.

Marilyn Monroe & other beauties

My mirror isn't nearly as kind as Marilyn's. But then I'm happy and Marilyn was not, so that makes me the lucky one.

 

A friendly reminder that it's only 159 days until Christmas.

 

There's a lot going on in this old mustard advertisement. At first glance, it seems the two children (Penny and Reginald) are eating hot dogs. The word "mustard" plus the dog makes this a logical assumption. Nope. Reginald is playing a harmonica while sitting on the world's largest tin of dried mustard, while Penny accompanies him with a waxed paper-covered comb. Barf the dog is howling because his ears hurt. Surprisingly, Barf is quite melodic. The cat in the doorway (Erroll) has decided that neither the kids nor the dog has a lick of sense and he is leaving home for good.

Erroll's reaction one year later when asked if he ever misses his old home.

 

Back to the theme of beauty, here are some Huron moccasins from Quebec, made around 1847-1853.

I suppose this Honeywell H316 minicomputer was considered beautiful in its day, but it sure does look like a monstrosity now. It was intended as a "kitchen computer", which is why a cutting board was added onto the keyboard.

Isn't this strange? Both mother and daughter have one arm that's longer than the other, and quite stiff. In sympathy, the cat has taken to sitting the same way. One wonders what Dad looks like.

See you soon!

How's your garden?

I hope you don't have any pesky pests like this in your garden! Malcolm (previously mentioned throughout this blog, and proud of it) doesn't care much for carrots but he is an absolute fiend for cantaloupe. He practically turns himself inside out if we slice into a cantaloupe. Watermelon he has no interest in, which is good because I'd hate to have to fight him over it. 

Don't forget to take care of your skin during these sunny months. A good mud bath is very refreshing and will leave your skin soft and smooth.  The girls below have just finished their mud baths and see how fresh and bouncy they look?

The two women below have obviously not had a mud bath in years, but are discussing the possibility. Their hats have not been off in years either, which is the main thing keeping them from a good mud bath.

 

To bathe or not to bathe. The decision is extremely difficult, with "don't know" currently winning.

Whooooaaa! Do you love me, now that I can dance?

Huh?

Summer in your heads!

Buckle up, we're off again! Today I'm going to focus on postcards of old black & white photographs. Not colorful, but very interesting from an historical standpoint. I promise to finish off this post with a big blast of color!

 Franklin Delano Roosevelt at the Empire State Building, 1931.

Broadway, New York, 1910

New York's Fifth Avenue from Central Park, 1952

A breakdown during the New York Auto Race, 1908.

A new television is placed in a mobile home, 1954.

Building the Empire State Building, New York, 1930.  Another of those jobs I wouldn't want.

 

All of the above cards come from a mostly black & white postcard book called "I'm Moving - What a Time We Had!: Celebrating the 20th Century". 

 

I received the next card from Hong Kong but can't read Chinese so I don't know what is in the picture. Well yes, water and boats, of course I know that.

 

OK, are you ready for the promised blast o'color? Can't get much sunnier than this!

This cutie just arrived today from The Netherlands. Although I think it sounds better in Dutch, the English translation is "I have summer in my head".

I hope you all have summer in your heads, even those of you below the equator!