When I went looking for pictures for Sepia Saturday I found this one. It looked like my Dad's Mum, Grandma, but I didn't expect it to be her. A quick call to Dad and I found that it is, indeed, Ruby Grace Randall. I remember Grandpa calling her Grace or Gracie, though the Grandma I remember had suffered a massive stroke and was not necessarily gracious. I never knew that she played violin and Dad never heard her play but play she apparently did. We have no explanation for the academic robes except to say that it must have been a prop in those days of very formal photgraphs because Grandma finished school at about age twelve.Grandma's arrestingly dark eyes are immediately recognisable in my brother and sister and in my brothers children. My ability to call a spade a shovel is similar to Grandma's though not exclusively hers...................
What a beautiful photograph, and as always your words embelish it perfectly,
ReplyDeleteMuch love, M
Yes, fantastic eyes, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteThe studio props from back when are always interesting--going through old photos lately, I've been noticing.
I'm so glad you posted this!
This is an interesting meme- interesting to see what traits, physical or otherwise, are handed down. What a shame your Dad never heard her play!
ReplyDeleteMaybe the violin was a prop as well as the academic gown? It's certainly not the right position for playing it. You must investigate the violin mystery a little more....
ReplyDeleteA marvelous photo and write up. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I will add it to the Sepia Saturday list.
ReplyDeleteAlan
Interesting sketch! sound like pieces of a puzzle that needs more time to put together...I love the way your seeing others and yourself in her. -J
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about finding out about who you look like. When visiting my birth mother she was able to show me photos of her mother and her grandmother where we could see the similarities of each other.I love seeing old photos.
ReplyDeleteShe's lovely.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I think those props in some of the old pics are interesting. I'm glad you joined in this Saturday!
ReplyDeletemaistro!
ReplyDeletethank you :)
leah,
ReplyDeletei don't have much idea about old photos but i suspect i'm about to learn......
i'm glad you like it, i wonder if it's possible to make my dead relatives interesting on a regular basis?
cinnamon,
ReplyDeletei suspect that grandma's violin playing was like my piano......best as a memory :)
nick,
ReplyDeletedad told me that grandma spoke with some knowledge about violins so i have no doubt she learnt something but given that it never became a feature of her life i'm guessing she was better at other things. my best guess as to the grip on the instrument is that she did as she was told by a photographer who was more interested in composition than accuracy
thanks alan, for your compliment and the visit
ReplyDeletejayne,
ReplyDeletethere arent many left to ask but i do have more puzzle pieces at my disposal. i thought it would be nice to reveal more when and if i get some more photos
thanks for visiting
jo,
ReplyDeletegrowing up in the family where i was born means i take much of my genetic history for granted but i can only imagine the sense of wonder for an adopted child meeting their blood relations.
have a good week, eh?
karen,
ReplyDeletegrandma had a massive stroke when i was nine and died when i was 18 so i dont have much memory of her in her healthy and articulate state but as i think about the clues i have there is quite a bit to infer.....
betsy!
ReplyDeletethanks for visiting.
i'm going to start noticing props now :)
I do love this picture, props or no! Thanks for sharing her with us!
ReplyDelete