Friday, September 6, 2013

Sepia Saturday - Things that Float


1920 Helen Coyle & Nathaniel Gardner, Central Park, NY City

This week's Sepia Saturday photograph shows a young girl in a rowboat on a lake by herself. This reminded me of the above photograph of my grandparents. They are in a rowboat in Central Park, New York City. They were still courting and not yet married. With them was Helen's youngest sister, Kathleen G Coyle, who snapped this picture. 

I love this photograph. I love the way my Nana is holding the hat for her boyfriend. I love that he is wearing a tie and she is wearing a pretty blouse & skirt for their outing. Most of all, I think I love this because it looks like they are looking at me, their only grand daughter, and I wonder what they are thinking of me.


Float on over to Sepia Saturday & see more great photos!


22 comments:

  1. That's an interesting idea, that they are actually looking at you down through the ages. Now that's an idea that could be used as the basis for a novel !

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    1. I do believe they do see us. I know Heaven wouldn't be Heaven for my Nana unless she could peek at us once in a while.

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  2. And you're right -- they do look like they're looking right out of the photo! What a connection to your past...and their future!

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    1. Deb, my grandfather was gone almost ten years before I was born and I've always wished we had known each other. My Nana was the very best & I'm sure he would have had a big soft heart.

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  3. You've read so much into that picture and you are absolutely right to do so; it's a wonderful image.

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  4. When I look at my grandchildren I'm often thinking "Who knew?" as in who knew this is where it would all lead.

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    1. Kristin, you are very right. Looking forward to having grandchildren so I can get a glimpse at the future.

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  5. That hat looks like a "boater," appropriate for the boat and theme.

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  6. Now I hope you won't be offended but I think your grandfather has a bit of a look of Kevin Spacey about him who I happen to think is a fabulous actor. I hope you do too. His tie looks fabulous too...I'm happy to defer to those more knowledgeable in the fashion stakes than me but it looks like watermarked silk or something.

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  7. I always notice how well dressed everyone looks in these old photos. Nowadays it would be jeans and a t shirt (well unless it was a first date, when you might dress up a little!)

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    1. Yes, I do like that they took the time to dress nicely; with more care than we regularly take today.

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  8. Another post with courting! What is it with boats?
    Although Central Park in NY would certainly be the place.

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    1. Jackie, now you have me wondering why my husband has never taken me boating. hmmm... ha!

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  9. You would never have got me in a boat in those days, but the view from this boat must be as good as the view looking in.

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  10. Courtship is such a rite of passage. It tells a lot about how things will go in the future. I'll bet your Nana often held his hat (or lunch pail, or jacket, or ...) with the same look of contentment and love. Also liked the fact that they were so close. One might say "well, it's a small boat" -- but they chose that small boat and sat knee by knee, shoulder by shoulder. Lovely pic and people.

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  11. A beautiful photo and sentiment. Another example of a photographic time machine.

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  12. A delightful photograph which holds such lovely family memories for you.

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  13. They did dress to impress. Today they'd be looking for shorts, tank top, and flip flops.

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  14. A great candid photograph!!
    Primitives thought pictures could capture one's soul.
    What if you were right and that they could still look at you now?!?
    :)~
    HUGZ

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