Carte de visite, 4 x 2 1/2 inches, H. Eilmann, Flensburg.
At first glance, I thought this woman looked dead. She certainly looks odd. I think part of it is the paleness of her irises. The curling of her hands also seemed strange, but after looking at other portraits from that time, it’s clear that this was a common pose for women. Even so, the position of her left arm, behind the girl, seems stiff and awkward. It’s not a conventionally “pretty” portrait, but I think it’s an interesting one.
Nell (Basquille) Thompson, Atlanta GA, circa 1930
I stayed home sick today. I still feel kind of crappy, but I managed to get another eight letters transcribed, so it wasn’t a total loss. I also have a pot of vegetable soup cooking that I plan to add dumplings to. It smells amazing. I should work on NaNoWriMo, so that I don’t get behind, but I’m not sure I feel like it. A nap is sounding good, though.
Left to Right: Sterrett Pooser, Margaret (Basquille) Pooser, Dot Coleman, and Frank Coleman
“Pablo Beach FLA”
Evergreen Cemetery, Mantorville, Dodge County, Minnesota
Evergreen Cemetery, Mantorville, Dodge County, Minnesota
I’m always amused when I see an outhouse in a cemetery, so when I do, I have to photograph it. This one had a row of headstones lined up in front of it, like an audience.
Once upon a time, we lived in an old farmhouse in Rushville. We just rented the house. The farm itself was run by an old guy named Henry. Henry had a grey horse that I found absolutely irresistible. I remember getting up in the mornings, dressing myself, and running outside to stand on the fence, so that I could pet the horse and feed him an apple or carrot.
My aunt gave me a big box of letters. They were written by a Marine during WWII to his girlfriend (later wife). I spent this evening putting them in order, so that I can start reading, scanning, and transcribing them. These are from the earliest group, written in 1942.
Wife of V. C. Durant Jan. 25, 1873 — July 9, 1901
Cedar City Cemetery, Austin, Mower County, Minnesota
Would it have been that difficult to give the poor woman a name on her headstone, instead of just listing her job description? (The top of the stone is engraved with “Watkins,” which is presumably her maiden name.)
ETA: AHA! A little more digging turns up that her name was Elda. She’s in the 1900 census, living with her husband (Claud V. Durant) and his parents at 811 South Warren Street, Mason City, Iowa. And her maiden name is Watkins. She shows up again in the 1880 census, living in Austin, Minnesota, with her parents, Abram and Phebe Watkins and siblings, Frank Watkins (11 years old), Jennie Watkins (9 years old), Laura Watkins (5 years old), and Annie Watkins (1 year old).
There was at least one other sibling, brother Leonard A. Watkins, who was born just after the 1880 census. Another daughter, Margie Watkins (11 years old), is listed in the 1895 Minnesota State Census.
Our Darling Leonard A. Son of Abram & Phebi Watkins, born Oct. 13, 1880 died Aug. 3, 1881
I take this little lamb, said He
And lay him on my breast,
Protection he shall find in Me
And be forever blest.
George Ellis Died Mar. 5, 1879 Aged 49 ys. 9 ms. 21 d.
Cedar City Cemetery, Austin, Mower County, Minnesota
We’re still in an extreme drought, so even though I hate storms, this was a welcome sight. Especially when it started raining. Very nice!
red paper boat 