Tag: CFFC

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Fashion

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Inspired by Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Fashion

 

I dug into my massive collection of family photos for this challenge…and immediately thought of my grandmother Oma. I remember her closet full of shoes – stacked high on shelves in carefully labeled shoeboxes. Coordinating purses piled nearby. Many with small matching coin purses. Mostly black. She once told me that her favorite color was black – because it matched everything…of course!

As a child I never saw her without makeup on. Hair styled. Stockings (or “hose” as she called them) and heels. Always a dress or skirt.

I used to be a flapper she once told me. It sounded so glamorous…and so cool…and so not the grandmother I knew. Mysterious yet thrilling.

One photo was taken in 1927 at a 4th of July picnic. Twenty year old Oma is in the middle with a girlfriend on either side. (Plus a guy trying shenanigans or photo bombing behind them)

All wearing the latest swimwear (?) fashion.

fashion swimwear 1927
1927

I admit to being curious about the shirt emblems. Perhaps the CAC stood for Cincinnati Athletic Club…since they all lived in Cincinnati. But I know that women were not allowed as members until over 75 years later (I spent too much time online looking that up…my inner Nancy Drew at work). So were they wearing their boyfriend’s shirts? Or suits? I know there’s a story there.

Apparently for whatever reason, Oma was stylin’ in something completely different.

Somehow I’m not surprised.

Another photo highlighting the fashion of the era is undated, but I would guess mid 1920s as well. My great grandmother and Oma showing off some festive hats…

fashion car circa 1927
circa 1920s

And not to leave out the men, I found a photo taken in 1923. A group of machine tool salesmen posing after a meeting. I think my great grandfather worked for this company, so he would be the man pointed out in the back row.

sales group 1923
1923

It doesn’t appear that men have veered too far from this suit and tie fashion combo in the years since then.

The hats were a nice finishing touch though.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Fire Hydrants

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A surprise find for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Fire Hydrants

 

I was walking downtown yesterday – making my way back from a huge outdoor flea market – on a splintery “boardwalk” along the river. It was low tide in this tidal river and I noticed a huge pipe sticking out of the water. It snaked under the boardwalk path and out to a strip of grass bordering a parking lot.

Much to my surprise…this is what the pipe led to.

hydrant two

If it hadn’t been labeled, I may not have guessed what it was.

Have you ever seen one like this?

 

Hydrant one

 

 

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Trees

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Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Trees

 

I am visiting my daughter and her family in Washington DC.
A 3 day celebration of her successful defense of her doctoral dissertation. After 7 years of hard work, perseverance and dedication. Including…as she puts it… “producing a human.” My adorable three year old grandson.

Yesterday afternoon…we enjoyed a brief respite at one of her favorite places.

This is the view…bordering the rear parking lot…behind Politics and Prose.

 

trees in DC
Washington DC


A bookstore and coffeeshop in one!

We browsed the shelves
Of so many books.
Until time for
Cookies and tea.

Precious time
To chat
With my daughter
The new PhD.

 

 

 

 

 

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Close up of Flowers

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Inspired by Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Close up of Flowers

I couldn’t let this week go by without responding to Cee’s challenge – since practicing with my new camera/macro lens is on my (fun!) to-do list.

And, oh by the way, I love taking pictures.

Since I prefer to photograph flowers in even light, today’s overcast skies were the perfect setting. All good…except for the impending rain and thunderstorms forecast on my trusty (or not so trusty) weather app.

We have a “landscape committee” in our condo association – and despite their committee drama – they do a nice job with flower choices and placement. At least I think so. Not everybody does…hence the drama.

Today’s walk was a quick one – as raindrops interrupted my planned much-longer photo excursion around the neighborhood – but this is what I came up with…

 

First stop: A hanging planter bursting with pink flowers. Not sure of the name.

pink flowers 1

 

Second stop: Day lilies planted down a small hill next to the road.

day lillies

 

Third stop: Yellow flowers caught my eye as the rain started…

yellow flowers

And that was that!

For today 🙂

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Two

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Cee’s challenge topic this week: 2 Items or the Number Two

 

two chairs

On a recent trip to visit with two dear friends, I spent the better part of a bright sunny day at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont.

I highly recommend it.

The museum is actually a collection of close to 40 buildings. Filled with unique exhibits of America’s past. Plus the permanent home on land for the Ticonderoga – a 220-foot sidewheel steamboat.

Many photos were taken! I could have easily returned for another full day and still have more left to see.

Twenty-two gardens are planted on the 45 acre site. These antique chairs were shaded from the sun under one of the many trees…an open invitation to sit for a moment. And rest.

 

 

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: One

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Cee’s challenge topic this week: 1 item or the Number One

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

During a cruise to Bermuda in 2008, I enjoyed the beautiful scenery both on and off the ship.

One day, I noticed this bird perched on the ship’s rail. All by itself. Taking in the sun’s rays.

Perhaps sensing that I was not an experienced bird photographer, it held still long enough for me to take this picture. Obviously used to tourists and enjoying the attention.

I have no idea what kind of bird it was. I welcome any ideas!

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Smiles

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Cee’s challenge topic this week: Smiles

Back in the 1970’s my boyfriend went on a cross country road trip with his best friend. They intended to make it all the way from the East Coast of the US to the West Coast. In an orange Ford Pinto.

road trip car

They drove as far as Wyoming and realized they were running out of time. Before starting for home, my boyfriend insisted on stopping at a local arts and crafts store to buy a souvenir gift.

A small handmade metal sculpture of two grinning figures, crafted by a local artisan.

Which he gave to me – his girlfriend of 2 years – a few days later…

Saying with a huge smile…

This is US seeing each other again!

 

smiles 1

 

 

 

One year later we were married.

 

Also inspired by Nancy Merrill at Photo a Week Challenge.