Summer Stock Sunday - 19

Just in time for Father's Day - a vintage look at summer for Summer Stock Sunday, hosted by Robin at Around the Island.


















This is a picture of my grandmother, Juliette with her father, Eugene, taken about 1938.

Juliette was one of ten children, so a moment with her father all to herself must have been a moment to savour. As well, this was taken during the same summer that she married my grandfather, so this photograph is an interesting one.

First of all, my great-grandfather had spent much of Gram's young life chasing work all over Canada. There was no such thing as Employment Insurance back then, so men went where they could get a job, and sent back money for the family.

The fact that he's on a motorcycle ready to head down the road, with Gram's arm tucked into his for the moment, is an eloquent symbol of their time together.

Hanging onto her family ties while ready to start a family of her own is a common summer rite of passage for women the world over. The likelihood that her future husband - my grandfather - took this picture, places another layer of meaning onto the shot. She gazes at the camera with sureness, while her father feels free to look down the road, since his son-in-law-to-be is taking care of the photgraphy.

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there! You can visit Robin for more summertime photos at Around the Island.

Robin says LOVE the goggles :)

Ms Snarky Pants says I agree about the goggles too. Everything about that picture screams steam punk! :-D

Anna Matthews says Such a great family photo, such a great photo period. And thank you for sharing the story behind it.