Saturday, February 27, 2010

Sepia Saturday -Two Pictures

For my first excursion into Sepia Saturday, I'm recycling a post I did back in August of '08 about my maternal grandparents -- Victor Huborn and Ruby. Click on the link to see other great old pictures and the stories behind them.

1914 ~ Troy, Alabama


Riding in a rented buggy along a country road,
She smiles out at her unknown future,
Crisp in a dress of pale blue linen,
A dark-haired girl with flowers at her waist.

Stiff and correct in Sunday suit,
Her sweetheart wears a somber face
But
His new straw hat
Tilts at a jaunty courting angle.


Governor, the cynical livery hack,
Has seen it all; he poses for posterity;
As an unseen chaperon
Records the fleeting moment.kip to main | skip to sidebar




1973 ~ Tampa, Florida

Still side by side  they sit--  their life buttressed by
One daughter, two grandchildren,
Three great-grandchildren --
A stealthy progression of years and generations
Has somehow come to pass.

Stone-deaf in the now,
The old lady hears the voice
Somewhere deep inside,
The dark-haired girl is whispering:
Still here.
'She had the prettiest little ankles,'
The old man says.
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27 comments:

Reader Wil said...

What a lovely tribute to your grand parents! These children are about the age of mine. ( 42, 40 and 38) Precious memories, Vicki!

Martin said...

I'm really glad you've posted for Sepia Saturday Vicki. A touching tribute and photographs to match. The second picture has the undeniable warmth of family about it.

Anonymous said...

Aw, this was wonderful! Welcome to Sepia Saturday :)

Mel said...

This is a wonderful post, the pictures are priceless! A lovely tribute to your grandparents.

Betsy Brock said...

the prettiest little ankles...oh that is so cute! Lovely picture of them courting in the buggy. And love the twinkle in his eye with the great grands. Wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Theirs is s true love story. It's one that has thrived through all the years. I really like the image of the blue linen dress with flowers at the waist. And I adore the "she's still there" line...so sweet. We all still have that young girl in us that is eternally young & hopeful. This makes me want to stop pushing her back. Thanks for the inspiration today.

Kat Mortensen said...

Your poem really captures the moments, Vicki. I love that bit about the girl inside and the pretty ankles.

Lovely photos too.

Kat

The Silver Fox said...

Very nice.

Barry said...

I love the last line. It is absolutely perfect.

Wonderful photos and a thoughfully tender poem.

The Clever Pup said...

Lovely poem. I think the first photo is just great.

Vicki Lane said...

Thanks Wil and Martin! These were my 'special' grandparents -- I was closer to them than to my parents. And my grandmother and I share a birthday.

Thanks you, Subby and Mel and Betsy -- I've enjoying visiting your posts as well!

Oh, yes, the girl's still there, Kat and Lady Cat! We all know it.

And thanks for stopping by, Silver Fox and Barry! My grandfather said that last line to me -- it was unbelievably poignant. And then he caught himself and said, "She still does."

Eliane Zimmermann said...

so sweet to compare an early and a late photograph. this morning we were at a funeral and on the coffin of our neighbor's mother there was a photograph from those years (as we knew her) and from the young girl she once was. it moved me deeply.

Tess Kincaid said...

Love that jaunty courting angle of his hat! Elegant photo.

Stella Jones said...

I love the picture Vicki. The wheels on the wagon are very elegant. Needless to say the couple look happy and so in love. Beautiful flowers at the waist and a lovely hat for her head.
So enjoyed looking.
Blessings, Star

Lyn said...

So tender..forever young..forever courting! They are so proud of the babies! Thank you...

Stephanie said...

Ah that's sweet - "she had the prettiest little ankles"! Lovely post.

Tipper said...

Don't know what I liked better the photos or the words.

Vicki Lane said...

Eliane -- I always like to see pictures of people when they were young -- I imagine that's how they still see themselves.

I was fortunate enough, Willow, to have them tell me about the photo themselves. Which is why I know the horse's name.

Thank you, Star -- they had a long, happy life. She died at 91 and he at 97.

And yes, Lyn, they were so proud of the great grandchildren!

As I mentioned above, Stephanie, that's a direct quote!

Thanks, Tipper. The subject is close to my heart!

Unknown said...

Lovely photos & lovely words--amazing to see how people both change & don't change over the course of so many years!

Marina said...

The magic of a moment captured, the mystery of destiny... later the puzzle solved. Beautiful poem. Regards from Argentina.

Megan said...

LOVE this. Both photos are fabulous!

Alan Burnett said...

If ever there was proof that recycling is a worthwhile undertaking this post must be it. The early photograph is stunning - almost like a shot from a film I can't quite remember - and the later photograph is so full of feeling. And the words bring out the feeling in both images so well. Fabulous post.

tony said...

Photos To Melt The Heart.Beautiful & Timeless.Thank You.

lettuce said...

ah this is lovely, the prettiest ankles!

I love these juxtapositions of the early and late photos - such very different people but still themselves.

Vicki Lane said...

John -- yes, the several ages of man are always instructive!

Welcome, Cecilia! I look forward to learning about Argentina.

Thank you for visiting, Megan, Alan, Tony, and Lettuce! What fun this is!

DougVernX said...

I love this post. I have fond memories of my grandparents.

I also like this photo in your blog header. Do you know where that photo was shot? I attended college in West Virginia. It looks very much like that area.

Vicki Lane said...

Thanks, Ralph! The header shot is my own -- taken from our front porch in western NC -- looking east to the Blue Ridge Mountains.