Ask any question beginning with Who? What? When? Where? How? Why?
Or
Offer some answers that I can possibly verify
A story may build
A tale may be told
Why not be bold!
Wordless Wednesday, Imagine a Story
by MarianBeaman | Oct 18, 2017 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Uncategorized | 64 comments
Who is she waiting for?
That’s a good lead-in question. Jill. Who is she posing for? I might add.
When Grace looked at the car, she thought, if he thinks I’m going anywhere without a seatbelt, he’s got another thought coming.
So funny because it’s anachronistic. Ha ha, Melodie!
Of course, I wonder who she is, where she is going, and why?
But the story that came into my head (said to the person we can’t see off in the woods) “I told you to go before we left. Hurry up, we’re going to be late.” š
You are definitely thinking outside the box – in the woods, no doubt – and squatting too!
š
Why are you making a graven image of me?!
That question would work for both the photo’s subject, the viewer, and she who did the posting. Interesting, Shirley. Now I’m wondering how you are progressing with your photography class in Pittsburgh.
What? You canāt find you keys, again?
I’m guessing you are detecting an attitude of disgust with the facial expression and folded arms. Thanks for weighing in, Carolyn.
Who was she waiting for?
A great question, Fatima. I wish I knew the answer!
Fed up but tolerant. She’s ready to go but there’s always some who are slow at getting their act together.
You are great at interpreting nonverbal language here, Susan. The subject has always been a get-up-and-go-woman, but not usually tolerant of dawdlers.
“No, I don’t know where the keys are!”
I can see why you suggest an emphatic caption. Thanks, Audrey!
I’m with Shirley.
š
Arms akimbo, why does she look miffed?
Like a perceptive therapist, you probe for motivation. I haven’t seen the word akimbo in a while. Love it though – so onomatopoetic. Thanks, Laurie.
“How long will you be? I donĀ“t have all day you know?” I love this picture.
This is a family photo I remember seeing when I was young, then re-discovered a few months ago. I thought it deserved as a stand-alone in its on post. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for the comment which matches many who read the photo as expressing impatience.
1. “If I would have known we were going to be gone all day, I would have made a picnic lunch to bring along!”
2. “Why are we heading out when the weather looks so bad?”
Either caption would work, Ginger. Thanks for submitting two.
I think she looks at ease, maybe pondering a theological question and wondering about it while looking at something a little beyond in among the trees. She looks lovely!
You are the first one to suggest deep thought and introspection, Susan. Knowing what I know about the photo’s subject, I think you are closer to the reality than most. Thanks!
Love all the responses so far š Great idea for a post. I would like to know what she was really thinking at that moment!
Thank you for giving the photo a look – and reading all the responses too. I don’t know what she was really think then either, but I have a clue. You may be able to detect more by enlarging the photo and looking at the car seat.
How interesting. Was she trying to decide if she would wear it?
You are on to something, Elaine. The smaller prayer veiling on the car seat doesn’t match the size of the larger black bonnet on her head. What’s the story behind the disparity? Hmmmmm
Not sure if her dress fabric matches the bonnet either. Is she considering joining a more conservative church?
You are right: The dress fabric and bonnet don’t match. I doubt that she was considering joining a more conservative church, but who knows? I appreciate your curiosity, Elaine. š
I can only enlarge it a bit and only thing I think I see is what looks like a white transparent bonnet.
By the way Marian, what is the purpose of the women wearing bonnets?
The white transparent “bonnet” on the car seat is actually a Mennonite prayer veiling. The black bonnet the woman is wearing is actually intended to be worn on top of the prayer cap. The bonnet is usually reserved for formal occasions or cold weather.
Thanks for the explanation Marian.
You’re very welcome, Ann!
She looks pensive, a little impatient but not angry. Perhaps resigned that not everyone is as punctual as she is? Such an interesting and fun exercise!
The responses are all so interesting especially because I have only an inkling of the real story behind the photo. I think you are closer to the truth than most though, observing that she is probably not angry. I had hoped this little experiment would turn out to be fun, and I’m glad you were willing to play along, Kathy!
Now, hurry up and get in the car, we’re going to be late.
This woman didn’t suffer fools gladly. She watched the clock and managed each tick of the second hand wisely. Appropriate caption, Debby!
I got that impression from the look on her face. Yay! š
Something that strikes me Marian is those folded arms . She doesn’t look comfortable with the situation at all . Maybe the camera man is taking way too long and she just wants to get on with the journey .
I suppose in those day people tended to pose for photos , not like today , snap gotcha š³š³.
I do appologse for completely missing your blog last week …I missed last week , last week…if you get my drift
Cherryx
Cherry, I am quite sure this photo was posed.. Maybe she even set it up herself – ha!
No need to worry about when you post. You have a life with a trolley full of stuff to do. The post is here when you are ready. Besides you can read the comments of other readers. š
I couldn’t help but wonder what she would look like if she was dressed in modern clothing, because her look is that of a woman of today! Lovely photo
She owned one of the first movie cameras, drove her own car, and planned for a professional career without factoring in a husband and children (at least biological ones). A woman ahead of her time, as you suggest. Thanks, Elfrieda!
I think she looks comfortable and relaxed. She has a prayer cap on already under the bonnet. You can see the strings and a speck of white just under the bonnet rim. Are you going to tell us the rest of the story?
You are very observant, Athanasia, noticing so many details of her headgear others missed or didnāt mention. I donāt know the scenario exactly but have some inklings. Some commenters on Facebook have had some insights I will share here later. Commenters need to have their say here on the blog before I will divulge what I think, which is only a conjecture at best.
Can you guess who the woman in the photo might be?
Is she your aunt, the teacher?
You got it, Athanasia. Because of the large bonnet (I suppose) many did not recognize her face.
Men joke about women talking too much and having to wait on them…but in reality, the guys are the “hens” and we’re waiting on them. Hubby works in the sound booth and I see a lot of tech wives waiting looooong after the service has ended for their husbands! lol
Or she was a rapper before her time!
This woman wouldn’t wait for a man, no-how, no-way! If she couldn’t avoid it, she’d find a way to go around the guy. Believe you me!
Just how long does he think I’ll wait?
Perfect, Anita!
Who is hiding in the back of the car? And why?
I see a shadow too, but it may just be a reflection – ha! Great question.
Why am I still waiting here! I must say I enjoyed all the questions here.
Welcome, Cecilia. And thanks for the question. Judging from the age of the car, I imagine she must have been waiting a very long time. I’m glad you have enjoyed the banter on my blog this week. Do visit again.
Finally got here, Marian. Thanks for waiting. I wonder if someone said that to the woman in the photo. āThanks for waiting.ā I donāt think so. This is a woman who suffers no fools as the saying goes. Just look at those crossed arms. She looks to me like your beloved Aunt Ruthie, who I feel Iāve gotten to know over the years thanks to you. But I was confused when you mentioned above this woman’s hubs and kids. I didnāt think AR had gotten married. Iād go through the comments one more time if my 30 minute timer wasnāt about to go off. Times up! Thanks for this fun exercise. Better than a Rorschach test.
Better than a Roschach test: Thanks for the compliment, Janet. Except for Facebook, you are the only one to suggest Aunt Ruthie. (Two men on Facebook, who knew my family, saw the resemblance.)
My take: I think she was playing tricks with the camera. Notice the sly smile playing around her lips. And if you enlarge the photo, you can see her white covering on the passenger-side seat. I suppose she was posing with the bonnet the size of her mother’s. I never saw her in such large headgear. My caption: Ruthie’s Antics.
By the way, the photo is dated September 1940, so the car could not be a 1947 Plymouth unless time travel was afoot. Thanks, Janet. And you’re welcome here anytime. I never close comments.
I took a closer look and lost the comment. Aunt Ruthie has an “I told you so” or “I expected as much” or “Why are you always late” look on her face, a cocked head, and those arms crossed with tight protection over her diaphragm and belly. She isn’t backing down. I love the open door of the car that says to me, “I’m going, but I’m still irritated with you.” As you know, I love working with old photos, but in this case I don’t have a clue what’s really happening, so the imagination can rip. Thanks for the writing spark.
All of the above, Elaine. You nailed it, benefiting from other comments + what you already know about Aunt Ruthie.
Harvest’s in (almost, I’m guessing), winter’s coming, so when the time is right, open up your treasure chest of old photos. They’ll have more stories to tell. Thank you, my friend.
Don’t mess with Bess!
Perfect! Thank you, Liesbet.