While looking for doorway photos for this week's prompt, I found two in my file of mystery people ... Their identities were likely well known to my relatives who kept the photos, but here in 2013 as the surviving person, I have not a clue. This first iconic photo taken as so many with someone out the door and very close to the step of the porch. But another person is standing in the doorway. This was with photos from my late Aunt Marge and among hers from 1941-42 in Cleveland, Ohio. She was better than most at identifying the people in her photos but not here. It might be in early fall or spring, the woman has a coat over her shoulders and open toe shoes, purse along side, ready to come or just returning. A story waiting to be told. Aunt Marge lived in Cleveland when she was a young single hair dresser before marrying Uncle Carl and some of the time when he was away in the Army during World War II.
The second photo is from Pennsylvania and while not in the doorway, behind her ,the lady is on the porch. This was in my late Aunt Virginia's collections..It could be my grandmother's sister, Mary who lived across the river from us in a house with a big porch. I've written before about Sunday's with my Great Aunt Mary and the Janosky clan. The back of the photo has labeling which identifies it as a "Kodacolor Print, Week Ending May 26, 1956." Whoever she is, she means business and might be just leaving for church; my grandmother and her sisters usually display that down to business look in their photos. She has likely just come out the door, dressed in hat and coat, while the photo is fading the hat and coat were a pink shade. While Aunt Mary might have splurged on a new spring coat, I cannot imagine it would have been any color but a basic serviceable dark, color, navy perhaps, but pink?
Finally another photo that is more meaningful to me today with both Mom and our son, Steve gone. Not a doorway, which they have passed through but still posed in front. Taken in July, 1972 in Pennsylvania at my old home; Steve and I were there for a visit from California, it was for my 10th high school reunion. Steve is on the front steps and Mom, grandma, is behind on the edge of the porch. Her hands are on her hips while Steve has hung his thumbs inside his pockets. It is pre-digital photo ability and not close enough for good detail, that we could get today. I am also surprised that this was developed in black and white, but it was with Mom's things and likely taken by Barney, her 3rd husband. They have both just come out the door; we hardly ever used the front door to that house where I grew up, we came in from the side or back doors only. The front door opened into the living room and we would not have thought of entering there, that was for company. By the way, relatives also came to the side or back doors, so it had to be someone special to come to the front door. But after I left home, and would return to visit, Mom allowed use of the front door. Still, I would revert to the side door mostly, it's what I was used to, an old habit. This is one of the few photos I have of the old home which is still standing but is owned by a nephew with whom I have no contact. He has changed the house color and I know not what else, because after Mom passed in 2004 and Jerry and I stayed there for the funeral, I have never again been inside the house.
From doorways and unknowns to dear departed loved ones, this has been a Sepia Saturday post. To see what others in our international community are sharing this week, use this link
Get photos. Yes that use of front and back doors is odd, especially the way it changes with time. When I was young it would have been strange for someone to come to the front door, these days the back door is hardly ever opened
ReplyDeleteI love that first photo -- almost like a still shot from a black-and-white movie. Great drama there!
ReplyDeleteThe first photo made me think of Easter for some reason when we would get new outfits.
ReplyDeleteFront doors and side or back doors and who uses which for what reason can be an interesting study in the whys and wherefores. In half the 11 houses I've lived we either never used the front door to the point I placed furniture in front of it; or have used it infrequently because the route from car to house was more convenient using a side or back door. But in all but one, anyone visiting always came to the front door. My sister roomed with a friend, however, who allowed people in the front door, but the spotless living room immediately off the entry hall was actually roped off with a red velvet rope such as you'd see in a theatre. That was the "company room". The family crowded into a small bedroom-turned-family room to watch TV or comingle!
ReplyDeleteI find that strangers and acquaintances use one door; while friends and neighbors use another. It's disconcerting when they sometimes switch.
ReplyDeleteA bit sad your post - your mum and son gone, and the house not what it was. So good you have this photo and the memories of happier times.
ReplyDeleteIt's our front door that used the most and always by visitors. Just my wife and I use the back but only to access the garden, the shed, the rubbish and compost bins - very much a working entrance. We could not match your doorway shots from any of the three places we have owned.
ReplyDeleteGood memories of what porches and front doors are for.
ReplyDeleteGreat doorway photos and stories behind the people in them. Amazing that you know the colour of the dress the lady is wearing.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy the house details and how they differ from country to country. Nice photos.
ReplyDeleteThe awning of the third house reminds me of awnings my grandparents once had. We always entered by the kitchen door because it was convenient to where we parked. I don't remember anyone ever using the front door because there was no parking space in front of the house, only on the side street.
ReplyDeleteUnusual photos - I rather like the one with another woman lurking in the shadow of the doorway - adds a bit of mystery.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you. My favorite photo in the opening photo as well, with the lady in the doorway. Wonderful memories and photos to treasure close to your heart.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comments about which door was used in your home. In my childhood home it was the back door which led into the kitchen. In our home now, it is also the back door.
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