Who Is This Man??

It happened again! Pretty much just like before. If you're wondering what I'm talking about, click HERE to read about the first time. So here's how it played out the past two days, this time on my side of the family.

See this pretty picture frame?

It's an old one that came to me when my sisters and I emptied our parents' house last year.

It hung in the dining room, over the buffet, for as long as I can remember, and probably longer. As far as I knew, it always held this Currier & Ives scene.

This is actually a piece of heavy fabric. I decided to replace it with one of my photographs, so I took it to the framer's to have it put together properly. These big old frames are so heavy, and I wanted to make sure it was hanging securely on the wall. I dropped it off yesterday morning, shopped til I almost dropped, and picked it up before heading home. Sure enough, along with the frame, which now contained my pretty photo, there was this cardboard folder containing the Currier & Ives scene.

I loaded both in the car for the drive home. It was dark when I arrived, I was tired, and we had an overnight guest that needed supper. Consequently, the frame and cardboard folder lay unattended until this morning. I unwrapped the frame and tried to hang it, but it was too heavy to manage by myself, So I turned my attention to the folder, thinking about what to do with the fabric scene. After pulling it out and looking it over for a minute or two, I turned it over. The fabric had been stretched around something and taped with masking tape, which was coming loose in several places. No wonder; it had been there for decades.

Supposing that the fabric had been stretched around some kind of sturdy paper, I investigated a little further, pulling the tape completely loose on one side. I wondered if there was something on the other side of "paper" form.

Sure enough, there were two pieces of something...so I removed the fabric to find this familiar print.

I've seen this image many times. It must have been very popular in its day. I'm guessing this one came off an old calendar. But underneath it was the real treasure!

Another old portrait! The only thing is, I have no idea who this is! And alas, Mom and Dad are no longer here to ask. To my knowledge, he doesn't resemble anyone on either side of my family. Several years before her health declined, my mother put together an inventory of the antiques and heirlooms in the house, and the entry for the picture frame didn't shed any light on this man's identity:

Since my grandfather bought the frame, it could be that this portrait came with it. If so, that would explain why Mom covered it up.

It's a shame there was no name on it anywhere, just a few numbers on the back:

Unless one of my two aunts knows something about this, I guess this handsome gentleman will remain a mystery. But what fun to discover another old portrait! You just never know what could be hiding behind a picture.  Maybe you should go check your old frames...

In Honor of Those Who Served

Back in June of 2012, I wrote a post about the two veterans I knew best: my dad and my father-in-law. Both are gone now, and they never saw each other again after that last visit.

In their memory, and in honor of all veterans, I'm sharing that post again.

* * *

Two Old Soldiers

Two old soldiers met today, to sit a spell and visit. They shook hands and greeted one another warmly, glad to have one more opportunity to be together.

Both were young farm boys when they went half way around the world to fight a war. One was headed for the Army's infantry and the other for the medical corps.

Bill was a first sergeant in the 34th Red Bull division, and fought his way from Salerno to Cassino, in Italy, going without a bed, a hot bath, or a hot meal for three months in the fall of 1943.

Bruce was a medic with the 42nd Rainbow division, bandaging up and transporting his wounded buddies across Austria and Germany, and making life or death judgement calls as to whom he could save and whom he could not.

But today, they were just two old widowers in their nineties, sitting on the porch and talking. It puzzled me as to how, when they are both deaf as a post, they could hear each other easily.

They talked about a lot of things: the weather, gardens, family, the War, the President, and how the young people have a lot to learn. They talked about being old, and the challenges they face in simple things, like walking and negotiating stairs, picking up a glass or cup without a spill, and eating spaghetti gracefully with a spoon.

And they talked about how, like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, they believe there's no place like home, and nothing better than sleeping in your own bed. When they came home from the War, both men married and raised families, Bill with a career in the Postal Service and Bruce farming land that has been in his family for generations. They didn't know each other until one's youngest son and the other's youngest daughter married each other, but they soon found out that comrades in war make easy friends.

When their visit came to an end and my father and my father-in-law parted company, it was with another firm handshake and the usual pleasantries of taking leave. But the unspoken words hung thick in the air:

"Life is hard for us old soldiers. Hold on. I hope I see you again."

Miss you, Dad.

Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall...

We've all seen and heard stories of ordinary folks finding great treasures among their ordinary possessions. The premise of the PBS series Antiques Road Show is just that: appraising the worth of family treasures and lucky finds. I found my own family treasure last week, and although it probably doesn't have much antique or historical value, it's priceless to the Vance family!

Since the middle of August, I've been busy cleaning up construction dirt at the Guest House. Along with that, I've also been waxing and polishing furniture and going through boxes of household goods from Robin's Uncle Lohr and Aunt Alice. Those boxes have been patiently waiting for me to unpack them for ten years! I needed a mirror for over the bathroom sink upstairs, and was pleasantly surprised to find a big, old, beautiful one stored away that I forgot about. It was perfect!

Besides a good cleaning, the only thing the mirror needed was to be stabilized. It was hung with an unwieldy old wire and the backing looked like it would come loose at any time. I couldn't risk having such a heavy thing fall apart and/or off the wall, so I took it to a frame shop to have it taken apart and put back together properly in order to hang safely and securely. Little did I know what awaited behind that old mirror.

When I went to pick up the finished mirror, the clerk pulled out two packages for me. One was obviously the mirror: it was big, bulky, and very heavy.

It looked much better, and was ready to hang on the bathroom wall.

The other package was a large piece of cardboard, folded in half, thin, very light, and taped shut.

I was puzzled. I left only the mirror to be fixed, nothing else. The clerk explained that as she peeled off the old brown paper from the back of the mirror, there were several layers of surprises beneath. This was the first:

a very thin and bendable piece of wood

with two names written on it in pencil. One says, "W. H. Vance."

The other name isn't so easy to read. The last name is Fleming.

The first name is a mystery. I can see an "abel" but what is the first letter? Or is it "...abe" with a middle initial "I"? Can you make it out?

Beneath this flimsy board was a lovely vintage print. It's a bit tattered around the edges, but still in very good condition. I do love that iron bed!

But the real treasure was on the bottom. The back of it looks like some kind of loosely woven cloth.

Written on it is:

When the clerk turned it over, oh so carefully, to reveal this portrait, my hands flew to my face in surprise.

This is William Henry Vance, Robin's great grandfather! He fought in the Civil War, and he and his wife built the house we now own and operate as a Guest House. I had never seen this picture...didn't even know it existed!

We have several photographs of Will, as he was called, when he was an older man, taken well after 1900, but as far as I know this is the only one of him as a young man. How old do you think he is? 20? 30? 40? Unfortunately there is no date on the portrait anywhere.

As was customary, Will's expression is serious, but it's also intense. It seems as if he is trying to tell me something. His eyes look right into mine. If only this picture could talk!

Just imagine if old portraits could talk! I wonder what secrets they would spill, what family legends they would debunk, what tales of hardship, strength, and love they would tell. But they remain forever silent.

Once this wonderful portrait is settled into another frame, I'll find the perfect spot for it in the Guest House. And every time I walk by, I'll say hello to Will, and wonder what he would tell me if he could.

Photo Friday: Sisters

Photo Friday: Family Heirloom

Photo Friday: 90-Something

Keep The Home Lights Burning

Last Sunday, I went back to my hometown for the first time since my dad's estate auction, which was in early October. Although my sisters and I ended up with lots of heirlooms and treasures, it was a bittersweet weekend as we watched the rest of our family's things sold to the highest bidder. And then, two days later, we signed closing papers to sell the house our parents built in 1948. No one else had ever lived there; just us Martins. Even though we are thankful the house didn't sit on the market for months or years, it all happened very fast, making it difficult to accept the reality that the house now belongs to another family. In my mind, it's all still there - the house filled with Mom and Dad's things - just like it always was.

But alas, life's certainties not only include death and taxes, but change as well. Us three Martin girls are trying our best to accept the inevitability of losing our parents and the realization that we're now officially middle-aged! Both of these circumstances have brought a boatload of changes and challenges into our lives.

Thus, I was delighted to find one thing that hadn't changed when I made it back to Union last Sunday evening. The Christmas lights were still there!

They are the most magical lights anywhere, I'm convinced. I've not traveled much during the holidays, but even in movies and such, I don't remember seeing lights like these anywhere else. The concept is simple: just strings of regular-size colored light bulbs, hung in a zigzag design over the entire length of Main Street.

Capturing the effect of this colorful display with my camera has been quite a challenge. Someday I hope I can do them justice, but hopefully you can get the idea.

When I saw them, the childhood Christmas memories came flooding back, and it felt good, very good indeed, to be home at Christmas time.

Update: Well, apparently this style of Christmas lights was very common back in the day! I've heard from several people who also remember these same lights from their childhood. I'm so glad my hometown of Union, West Virginia hasn't abandoned them for more modern decorations.

Photo Challenge: Portraits

Can't believe it's Photo Challenge time again already! I'll have to delve into my archives again as I've had no time to plan or shoot portraits this month. Portraits are not something I usually shoot. Sometimes I try to get good shots of our pets, and on special occasions I try to capture the people involved. But as far as shooting posed photos of people, it's not something I usually do.

I'm saved this time by my nephew's wedding. He and his lovely bride tied the knot on May 17. Blue Mason jars, heirloom flowers, and burlap made for a vintage theme amid a beautiful farm setting. One thing that the photos don't show is that the temperature was barely 50 degrees and everyone was freezing during the outdoor ceremony! Thank goodness the reception was indoors, where everyone was much more comfortable.

On the left is the groom's childhood next-door neighbor. She's posing with my oldest sister.

This is my sister and her husband, parents of the groom.

The maid of honor was striking. Thankfully you can't see any goosebumps!

Once the ceremony was over, wedding guests relaxed with cocktails (and got warm!)

while waiting for the bridal party to finish with photos. This is my husband with

my cousin's wife.

During cocktails, guests were invited to pose for silly photos using a variety of props,

including boas, goofy hats, crazy glasses, etc. This is my aunt. She might not like it if I told

you how old she is. Let's just say she was 11 years younger than I am now when

I was born...in 1960. Can you do the math?

My nephew, the groom, watches while his bride dances with her father.

And the bride watches as her new husband dances with his mother.

Their magical wedding ended with a sparkler send-off.

I'd never seen that done before. It was quite a sight.

Not only are the months flying by, so are the years. This handsome young groom was born just five months before my own wedding, 29 years ago.

Linking up with Donna at A Personal Photo Challenge.