Saturday, January 30, 2010

Sepia Saturday



This is a follow up photo to my previous Sepia Saturday post about Cousin Den. I'd not thought we had more photos of Daisy and Tom, Dennis' parents (my great Aunt and Uncle), except their wedding photo which needs to be taken out of its frame before I can scan it.

And then I found this one which I like so much.

Thats my mum in the middle. And it looks so like her, her face changed little as she grew up. Which actually makes her look slightly odd to me - she is so young but the familiarity of her face makes her look also strangely adult, though I suppose thats only to me. My nan is sitting in the front left deckchair in the white top, Uncle Tom behind her and Aunty Daisy is in the dark top, my grandad behind her.

And I wonder so much about this photo.

Who took it? possibly Dennis, but he was more likely in hospital.
Maybe my uncle Vic - thats more likely. I'll post about Vic some time.

And when? This must be around the late 1930's - my mum was born in 1930. So I wonder if the war had started or not. I'd guess this is a little before the war began, but can't be sure. This was taken in Daisy and Tom's garden, in southwest London near Wimbledon. It looks as though they were keen gardeners, like my grandad.

And what were they eating? I can't make it out here or from the original photograph. Possibly cherries, but they look a little large for cherries. Possibly plums or damsons...

And my nan and Auntie Daisy looking so very alike. There were 6 sisters and Daisy was the one most physically like my nan. She was also the one who lived furthest away at this stage, across the other side of London. I wonder how often they were able to see each other. One sister had died tragically young, years before this and Daisy was the next who died - also too young, in middle age.


I so often wish I could step back in time just for a few minutes, and watch and listen as a photo like this was taken...
And they look so happy.



You can find other Sepia Saturday posts listed here.

20 comments:

Barry said...

That is a charming and informal photo that really allows their character to show through.

They all look so happy.

Barbara said...

There's a lot going on in this photo. Too bad you don't know what is being said. It was a time when people got amused by small things.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Love the story and the photo. Thanks for sharing your family with us.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

It looks like they are having a grand time!

Martin said...

That's one of the most fascinating things about these treasured photographs. The curiosity that we feel, as viewers, as to what went before and after the click of the camera.

They do look to be having fun, don't they? A happy, sunny picture.

Kat Mortensen said...

This picture tells such a story (even if it is a mystery). You have gleaned so much from the photo—the garden, the fact that they are eating, and their faces.
My mum was born in 1929, so almost the same age as yours.

I too, wish I could step back in time for a spell to eavesdrop on the goings on.

Kat

MuseSwings said...

I'm so busy looking into the eyes and smiles in photos - trying to get a measure of their happiness, health, enjoyment of life, that I'd never thought to listen to the photographs until I read your post. Wonderful post! Those may be plums - do you think they were ripe yet? It almost looks like they are posing as though they are eating them but they aren't really.

Ronda Laveen said...

Great photo. I know what you mean about wanting to step back in time and into the picture. Maybe someday...

Anonymous said...

Keen snap, lettuce. Whatever they're eating...could be plums, as they look rather large for cherries, wot? Hmmm....

e said...

Your mum looks to be giggling, Lettuce...makes me wonder what was said just before the click of the camera. A lovely mystery!

Raining and nasty here today. Waiting for Angel to come home from a vet visit...

Happy Weekend!

Stephanie said...

They're a lively looking bunch. Full of life. I love garden shots - especially with blooming flowers (like on the right).

Leah said...

They do look so happy, and the sun is shining! It's a beautiful, vivid moment in time.

L. D. said...

I have a lot of these pictures that make me want to ask the same kind of questions. Mom, did your really like those striped socks? It is an interesting setting, the chairs, the gate, it is all curious. Great post.

Alex said...

Something about old looking photos that I like and I don't know what it is.

Tess Kincaid said...

This is a great picture! It looks to me like they're eating olives.

Betty said...

I am so enjoying Sepia Saturday. Yes, i picked out your Mum straight away! Lovely photo

Akelamalu said...

They all look as they are enjoying a summer afternoon in the garden. I love looking at old photos. :)

herhimnbryn said...

Have just caught up on your recent posts. Ah, Lettuce lady, you have a good place here.

Betsy Brock said...

Lettuce, how did I miss this last Saturday? You must have posted after I went through the list. Anyway, it's such a great photo...I love the ones that show personality and happiness. They all look so cheeky, don't they? :)

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