My guess would be maybe spring in the 1970βs. The mother is saying, βOne more photograph, dear.β While the daughter is saying, βItβs kind of chilly for April.β
Welcome to the story circle, Katrina! Photos as writing prompts, yes indeed. I’m glad this post got your creative juices flowing. Thank you for stopping by with a comment.
Looks like the 1970s. Clue: “Don’t wear white shoes after Labor Day”. So I’d say this is spring rather than fall. Could you & Grandma Longenecker be sitting outside a church? If so, then maybe you’re getting ready to leave the girls in a supervised playroom while you two attend a ladies meeting.
You are right about Grandma?mother Ruth in the photo. I’m pretty sure it’s spring as I’m trying to push it along with white sandals. If it’s a church, it’s not Bossler Mennonite whichh was timbered, not brick. Oh, how I wish I had notes of the place! Thanks for your insight, Lynn.
I agree with Jill in all respects!
This prompts me to search out some photos! I have one with my parents and their grandkids. But none of their grandkids have kids yet.
What a nice picture! I’m not sure of the season because the leaves on the tree behind you have me puzzled. There are none on the ground so maybe it is spring. The mother could be saying “Now smile!” even though she’s not looking at the camera herself! The daughter is thinking, “Thank goodness, the kids are being good!”
Perfect, Anita! I’ll take that. Mothers are always concerned about the impression their daughters are making, aren’t they? (Whether they express their feelings or not.)
I was happy to have family and loved soaking in the sun. It was so many years ago, I have no idea what I may have been thinking then, but I do know having two children 19 months apart was a big responsibility. I was probably happy to have my mother as backup!
I was blessed to have 3 grandparents to celebrate my 39th birthday with, and over the years, we’ve taken multiple 3 and 4 generation photos, especially after my uncle died at age 31. We didn’t want to miss any opportunities to be together. p.s. Love Mom’s pigtails! π
Pigtail, ponytails, I’m not sure what I was sporting then. How fortunate you have many generational photos, even if the impulse to take them may have been prompted by your uncle’s early death. Thanks for chiming in, Jenn.
Photos have been a source of inspiration for me as a blogger, and I’m sure that would continue in any kind of writing that I do. In this photo I see a grandma in early spring, just totally enamored by her beautiful grandchildren. The granddaughter is leaning into her grandma so the loving feeling is definitely mutual. I see a daughter, making her own statements about what she will wear and how she will dress her children. It is different from that of her mother, but it doesn’t matter because love covers all (even though you are not wearing the covering!).
You are right on the money, Elfrieda, though I was no longer Mennonite, I have continued a strong connection with my family. Mother and all my relatives of that generation are gone now, so this space becomes a place to keep their memory alive and the history of that era. I am happy our children appreciate their heritage with actions that reflect that.
I love this picture! As you know, I have many generation pictures with as many as 5 generations in one photograph. I think you are a proud young mom and your mother is obviously smitten with your children and happy to have you visiting. What great memories. xo
Spring: that season when we are so tired of winter we pull out the white shoes. (After Memorial Day?) yet too chilly for the kids to go w/out their parkas. Late 70s I say. Are you waiting for Cliff to get the car?
Very perceptive and chose the right decade, Janet. But based on the children’s ages, I think it may have been spring of 1973. If so, Cliff was touring with his History of Art show in Virginia, his family in tow in a 26-foot travel trailer. I must have been taking a break from the rigors of the road then.
It is spring. Early 70s. (I wrote that down before I saw your reply above.) I have some four generation pictures. The children look like they’re enjoying the pictures, unlike my grandchildren. The days of pantyhose and sandals. Or maybe not pantyhose yet?? Such a simple prompt, great idea here!
Right on with the date. Yes, it appears I am wearing panty hose with sandals. Very gauche! My daughter would say so too. Last week she took me shopping π because (she said) my clothes were starting to look like a homeless personβs. The nerve!
Congratulations on the 4-generation photo. I’ll have to dig around to find ours. π
Funny, Melodie. When I was teaching, I kept up with fashion a little better. Now it doesn’t seem to matter as much. If you are like me, you may look in your closet and think, “It’s good enough.” My daughter can look at dozens of outfits in the store and zero in on what would look good on me. I don’t have that talent. Also, it’s more fun to go shopping with someone else anyway ~ right?
Well it’s definitely springtime in that photo. I see you got the white sandals out early in anticipation of warmth coming, despite the long sleeve blouse, lol. I’m not sure why I feel the photo is from the late 60s? Probably the style of clothing. π
Close, Debby. You can’t judge styles from my Mennonite mother but my outfit and shoes are from that era. I’m basing the time estimate on my children’s ages, about 1973. I was not necessarily a style maven back then – ha!
Spring. Early 1970s. The mother was saying: “smile.” The daughter was thinking: “obviously.” I have some very old multi-generational photos, but none with me in them. I don’t even have a photo of me with both of my parents together. We weren’t a picture snapping family.
That happens. Even if you weren’t a picture snappin’ family there must have been lots of WORDS! And if that’s not the case, you’re setting a precedent on your blog for sure. (Your sense of humor must be in the genes too!)
Words and stories were EVERYWHERE in my childhood. We laughed often, and my elders always had a story meant to enlighten and/or warn us kids about something or another. π
It looks like late autumn to me and possibly 1970s . Iβve notice many are saying springtime but there are dried leave on the tree behind …maybe that is how Iβm seeing it .
I think Mum is encouraging the children to smile π for the camera and you are just hoping they will keep still for a minute or two .
By the way I love the shoes…thatβs typical of me to go way off the subject and mention some fashion item . I remember when my son was about ten we were in the dentist surgery and I told the dentist the decor in the surgery was fab , whist my son glared at me open mouthed …well obviously open mouthed because the dentist was checking his teeth at the time .
I must check for three generation photos …I must have some somewhere .
Cherryx
Actually, I thought someone would have commented on my shoes earlier. Your comment about your son made me laugh. (You often make me laugh, Cherry!)
Thanks for expressing your view of things. It’s refreshing to read something different from the norm here. Good luck on finding some 3-generation photos. π
I think itβs a beautiful day, the end of autumn. One of the last pleasant days of the year and a perfect time for a family shot. Must be in the seventies.
I have many photos of my dear Oma (grandma) and me, but canβt remember any where my mom is present as well. Iβve seen the four generations (all girls) in a photo of my cousin, her mom, her grandma (my Oma) and her daughter. Since then, unfortunately, her mom and Oma have passed. Are you one of the children in the photo, Marian?
The children are mine, believe or not, a son and daughter who are now grown. I like that you refer to your grandma as “Oma,” a nickname that works for Belgian and I suppose German grandmothers too. And you are the second reader to imagine a fall day, not spring.
I wonder if you are house-sitting in New Mexico. You were recently in Albuquerque I believe.
That’s a very sweet photo! I have some “four generations” pictures from before my grandma passed away, and they’re invaluable. Thank you for sharing yours!
I’m sure we have some four generation photos, but I can’t put my hands on any of them right now. One of the “generations” was probably taking the picture. (Ha!) I do know my grandma flew from PA to FL three months after our daughter was born, and a 3-generation photo was snapped then.
Good to hear from you again. I hope you can see more signs of spring in your neck of the woods, Rebecca. π
I have family photos with four generations. One is in an album from the days when I made those. I see the grandma’s adoration of the children. Is it around 1970? Maybe a warm day in late autumn since the tree has few leaves. If it were spring, there would be many smaller leaves (maybe). Everyone looks happy to be outside.
Judging from the age of our children, it is probably 1973, Elaine. And I’m guessing late spring because in those months I was taking a break at my parents’ house from the rigors of the road (Cliff on his first art tour towing his family in a 26-foot travel trailer). I’m guessing we were traveling in Virginia then, and Pennsylvania was just a hop – skip = and jump away.
Yes, we were happy to be outside and not inside our “roaming” home on wheels, so confining. Yes, I’ve written about the ordeal but would need to dig through stuff to find my pages.
Hang on to those 4-generation photos. As much picture taking going on in our family, we may have failed on that score. Often, one of the “generations” was behind the camera lens.
Thanks for reading and offering some details here, my dear. π
Marian β I’m late to the party due to teaching at the Writers’ Institute at UW-Madison. The children’s hooded jackets in your photo (minus the sun) could have been precursor for the snow/ice storm that hit (hard!) while I was there. In reading through the other reader’s comments, I see that Cliff restored this photo for you. How cool is that? And he’s handy in the kitchen too! That man’s a keeper I tell ya!
Who cares about “late to the party” – you’ve arrived! And I can’t think of a better reason than attending and presenting at a writer’s conference. It would appear you were a HIT!
It’s a secret, but I envy you time in seclusion to write you second book. Maybe I can sneak away to do my final edits soon. So many distractions here, but I still insist on keeping my writing chair warm for hours a day!
Thank you, dear Laurie, for returning here to comment. Actually, I thought you had commented earlier, so this is a pleasant surprise!
My guess would be maybe spring in the 1970βs. The mother is saying, βOne more photograph, dear.β While the daughter is saying, βItβs kind of chilly for April.β
You have the dialogue down pat, Jill. And I suspect early 1970s, judging from the age of the children in the photo. Thanks!
I never considered family photos as a creative start to writing. Interesting, because just looking at yours, had me imagining all types of scenes.
Welcome to the story circle, Katrina! Photos as writing prompts, yes indeed. I’m glad this post got your creative juices flowing. Thank you for stopping by with a comment.
Good morning, Marian. I think Jill is right. π
I posted a photo in my last Monday Morning post that had four generations.
Yes, I read your post with your warm-hearted family circle.
Here is the post for you to see Merril’s large and gregarious family who gather often, this time around a Passover table: https://merrildsmith.wordpress.com/2018/04/09/connections-past-and-future-napowrimo-day-9/
Thanks for sharing, Marian. π
π
Looks like the 1970s. Clue: “Don’t wear white shoes after Labor Day”. So I’d say this is spring rather than fall. Could you & Grandma Longenecker be sitting outside a church? If so, then maybe you’re getting ready to leave the girls in a supervised playroom while you two attend a ladies meeting.
You are right about Grandma?mother Ruth in the photo. I’m pretty sure it’s spring as I’m trying to push it along with white sandals. If it’s a church, it’s not Bossler Mennonite whichh was timbered, not brick. Oh, how I wish I had notes of the place! Thanks for your insight, Lynn.
I know the interesting story behind this photo, but I’m not telling. Perhaps Writer Marian will share it with you at some point.
Thanks to you, master of restoration with Photoshop, for bringing to light a woefully darkened photo. π
I agree with Jill in all respects!
This prompts me to search out some photos! I have one with my parents and their grandkids. But none of their grandkids have kids yet.
What you have now with do just fine, Marie. Then as the generations increase you have an historical record to build upon. Thank you!
What a nice picture! I’m not sure of the season because the leaves on the tree behind you have me puzzled. There are none on the ground so maybe it is spring. The mother could be saying “Now smile!” even though she’s not looking at the camera herself! The daughter is thinking, “Thank goodness, the kids are being good!”
Perfect, Anita! I’ll take that. Mothers are always concerned about the impression their daughters are making, aren’t they? (Whether they express their feelings or not.)
All look happy and relaxed, being in the loving bosom of the family! All thinking – ooh this is fun!
I was happy to have family and loved soaking in the sun. It was so many years ago, I have no idea what I may have been thinking then, but I do know having two children 19 months apart was a big responsibility. I was probably happy to have my mother as backup!
I was blessed to have 3 grandparents to celebrate my 39th birthday with, and over the years, we’ve taken multiple 3 and 4 generation photos, especially after my uncle died at age 31. We didn’t want to miss any opportunities to be together. p.s. Love Mom’s pigtails! π
Pigtail, ponytails, I’m not sure what I was sporting then. How fortunate you have many generational photos, even if the impulse to take them may have been prompted by your uncle’s early death. Thanks for chiming in, Jenn.
Photos have been a source of inspiration for me as a blogger, and I’m sure that would continue in any kind of writing that I do. In this photo I see a grandma in early spring, just totally enamored by her beautiful grandchildren. The granddaughter is leaning into her grandma so the loving feeling is definitely mutual. I see a daughter, making her own statements about what she will wear and how she will dress her children. It is different from that of her mother, but it doesn’t matter because love covers all (even though you are not wearing the covering!).
You are right on the money, Elfrieda, though I was no longer Mennonite, I have continued a strong connection with my family. Mother and all my relatives of that generation are gone now, so this space becomes a place to keep their memory alive and the history of that era. I am happy our children appreciate their heritage with actions that reflect that.
I love this picture! As you know, I have many generation pictures with as many as 5 generations in one photograph. I think you are a proud young mom and your mother is obviously smitten with your children and happy to have you visiting. What great memories. xo
You are one of the few to have five generations represented in one picture. How fortuntate!
When the picture was taken, we were living in Florida, and seldom got to see the home folks in Pennsylvania.
Spring: that season when we are so tired of winter we pull out the white shoes. (After Memorial Day?) yet too chilly for the kids to go w/out their parkas. Late 70s I say. Are you waiting for Cliff to get the car?
Very perceptive and chose the right decade, Janet. But based on the children’s ages, I think it may have been spring of 1973. If so, Cliff was touring with his History of Art show in Virginia, his family in tow in a 26-foot travel trailer. I must have been taking a break from the rigors of the road then.
It is spring. Early 70s. (I wrote that down before I saw your reply above.) I have some four generation pictures. The children look like they’re enjoying the pictures, unlike my grandchildren. The days of pantyhose and sandals. Or maybe not pantyhose yet?? Such a simple prompt, great idea here!
Right on with the date. Yes, it appears I am wearing panty hose with sandals. Very gauche! My daughter would say so too. Last week she took me shopping π because (she said) my clothes were starting to look like a homeless personβs. The nerve!
Congratulations on the 4-generation photo. I’ll have to dig around to find ours. π
I need a shopping trip with daughters too. Even though they haven’t told me, yet. They volunteered in the past.
Funny, Melodie. When I was teaching, I kept up with fashion a little better. Now it doesn’t seem to matter as much. If you are like me, you may look in your closet and think, “It’s good enough.” My daughter can look at dozens of outfits in the store and zero in on what would look good on me. I don’t have that talent. Also, it’s more fun to go shopping with someone else anyway ~ right?
Well it’s definitely springtime in that photo. I see you got the white sandals out early in anticipation of warmth coming, despite the long sleeve blouse, lol. I’m not sure why I feel the photo is from the late 60s? Probably the style of clothing. π
Close, Debby. You can’t judge styles from my Mennonite mother but my outfit and shoes are from that era. I’m basing the time estimate on my children’s ages, about 1973. I was not necessarily a style maven back then – ha!
You are so funny!!! π
% – /
Spring. Early 1970s. The mother was saying: “smile.” The daughter was thinking: “obviously.” I have some very old multi-generational photos, but none with me in them. I don’t even have a photo of me with both of my parents together. We weren’t a picture snapping family.
That happens. Even if you weren’t a picture snappin’ family there must have been lots of WORDS! And if that’s not the case, you’re setting a precedent on your blog for sure. (Your sense of humor must be in the genes too!)
Words and stories were EVERYWHERE in my childhood. We laughed often, and my elders always had a story meant to enlighten and/or warn us kids about something or another. π
π
It looks like late autumn to me and possibly 1970s . Iβve notice many are saying springtime but there are dried leave on the tree behind …maybe that is how Iβm seeing it .
I think Mum is encouraging the children to smile π for the camera and you are just hoping they will keep still for a minute or two .
By the way I love the shoes…thatβs typical of me to go way off the subject and mention some fashion item . I remember when my son was about ten we were in the dentist surgery and I told the dentist the decor in the surgery was fab , whist my son glared at me open mouthed …well obviously open mouthed because the dentist was checking his teeth at the time .
I must check for three generation photos …I must have some somewhere .
Cherryx
Actually, I thought someone would have commented on my shoes earlier. Your comment about your son made me laugh. (You often make me laugh, Cherry!)
Thanks for expressing your view of things. It’s refreshing to read something different from the norm here. Good luck on finding some 3-generation photos. π
Such a sweet shot.
Thank you, Fiona.
I think itβs a beautiful day, the end of autumn. One of the last pleasant days of the year and a perfect time for a family shot. Must be in the seventies.
I have many photos of my dear Oma (grandma) and me, but canβt remember any where my mom is present as well. Iβve seen the four generations (all girls) in a photo of my cousin, her mom, her grandma (my Oma) and her daughter. Since then, unfortunately, her mom and Oma have passed. Are you one of the children in the photo, Marian?
The children are mine, believe or not, a son and daughter who are now grown. I like that you refer to your grandma as “Oma,” a nickname that works for Belgian and I suppose German grandmothers too. And you are the second reader to imagine a fall day, not spring.
I wonder if you are house-sitting in New Mexico. You were recently in Albuquerque I believe.
That’s a very sweet photo! I have some “four generations” pictures from before my grandma passed away, and they’re invaluable. Thank you for sharing yours!
I’m sure we have some four generation photos, but I can’t put my hands on any of them right now. One of the “generations” was probably taking the picture. (Ha!) I do know my grandma flew from PA to FL three months after our daughter was born, and a 3-generation photo was snapped then.
Good to hear from you again. I hope you can see more signs of spring in your neck of the woods, Rebecca. π
I have family photos with four generations. One is in an album from the days when I made those. I see the grandma’s adoration of the children. Is it around 1970? Maybe a warm day in late autumn since the tree has few leaves. If it were spring, there would be many smaller leaves (maybe). Everyone looks happy to be outside.
Judging from the age of our children, it is probably 1973, Elaine. And I’m guessing late spring because in those months I was taking a break at my parents’ house from the rigors of the road (Cliff on his first art tour towing his family in a 26-foot travel trailer). I’m guessing we were traveling in Virginia then, and Pennsylvania was just a hop – skip = and jump away.
Yes, we were happy to be outside and not inside our “roaming” home on wheels, so confining. Yes, I’ve written about the ordeal but would need to dig through stuff to find my pages.
Hang on to those 4-generation photos. As much picture taking going on in our family, we may have failed on that score. Often, one of the “generations” was behind the camera lens.
Thanks for reading and offering some details here, my dear. π
Marian β I’m late to the party due to teaching at the Writers’ Institute at UW-Madison. The children’s hooded jackets in your photo (minus the sun) could have been precursor for the snow/ice storm that hit (hard!) while I was there. In reading through the other reader’s comments, I see that Cliff restored this photo for you. How cool is that? And he’s handy in the kitchen too! That man’s a keeper I tell ya!
Who cares about “late to the party” – you’ve arrived! And I can’t think of a better reason than attending and presenting at a writer’s conference. It would appear you were a HIT!
It’s a secret, but I envy you time in seclusion to write you second book. Maybe I can sneak away to do my final edits soon. So many distractions here, but I still insist on keeping my writing chair warm for hours a day!
Thank you, dear Laurie, for returning here to comment. Actually, I thought you had commented earlier, so this is a pleasant surprise!