Category: 1940s

Hold Steady To Grandma, Lest She Fall Down

I saw this pic and immediately thought of the 1947 poem:

Hold steady to grandma, lest she fall down

Let grass stains stay clear of her three button gown

‘Twill not be flattering should she choose to go prone

Give up the ghost, and leave Grandpa alone

But what of Aunt Doris who clings to the wrist

Of my sweet Cousin Lois who dare not resist

For fear that the lips of Doris get flubbery 

As she sobs while Uncle Jim hides behind shrubbery

Has he donned trousers? Hast thou the knowledge? 

He only had two years at community college

He lettered in arm wrestling; his grip was quite strong

To his daughter Eleanor, the gene passed along

And now she stands confident, with nary a frown

Holding steady to grandma, lest she fall down. 

 

Torch Ginger

National Geographic, Nov 1949

At Honolulu airport, a young woman packs the heads of torch ginger in cellophane preservers. The article stated that “its stalk grows 3-6 ft high,” sometimes towering over those handling them.

https://www.southernliving.com/plants/torch-ginger

How Low Can You Go?

relaxing on beach towels

sitting in itchy grass

low to the asphalt

I can be certain that the last picture was taken in Austin, as evidenced by the highway signs. Looks to be the dirty, gritty 70s.

When Your ‘Do Is Done

I applaud the effort that was put into the hair, outfits, and accessories here. Nowadays, people wear pajamas in public, thong sandals outside the beach, and don’t bother to hide their bra straps. Enough with the laziness! Pull yourself together.

giphy.com

Fun & Games

Look, Ma–no helmets!
This was from a 1939 yearbook, before we entered WWII. Keep in mind that in 1940, Chaplin came out with “The Great Dictator,” where he mocked Hitler as well.

Ain’t that sweet?

Green Lake, 1949

That’s all the back of this picture said. I can assume it’s not the Green Lake in Texas. Probably Wisconsin or Michigan, where folks wear more plaid and more layers. I doubt it’s a family reunion, with no children or young people. Perhaps just a gathering of friends? It looks casual, but the grand dame on the far left could just have easily have fit into an image at the turn of the century.

Isn’t it funny how different people experience the same moment? The woman dead center in the foreground isn’t even making eye contact with the photographer at all. The ladies on the far right are full of pep and horsing around, while Debbie Downer beside the tree appears to have just lost her favorite pet.

Actually, the two grumpiest folks are the ones without glasses!

Hoodlums, Shenanigans, And Cowboy Swagger

No doubt about it, this shot was taken in Texas. Although the man dead center has the look a mafia don caught red-handed in whatever deal is going down in that car, the other fellows seem amused. And the feller on the left with his boot propped up on the fender, well, he seems downright smug. Who wouldn’t be, with such a swoopy hat?