Our Sepia Saturday theme image this week features an air stewardess hugging a cute puppy. Auntie Miriam may have been many things, but she was never an air stewardess, but there again it's a donkey she is hugging and not a puppy. The donkey is undeniably cute however and that look of affection could be a mirror image of the one shared between the stewardess and the puppy. 
The date of the theme image is a little uncertain: sometimes in the 1950s is the best that the Preus Museum (Norway's National Museum of Photography) can come up with. I can be much more precise about my photograph because it comes from the Frank Fieldhouse Digital Collection and as we all know Frank might not have been an airline pilot, but he was an enthusiastic cataloguer. In his unmistakable hand the page in the album is headed "St Annes" and dated 1941. Uncle Frank could never resist the additional comment, that little extra description that makes the difference between a museum catalogue and a personal scrapbook. Those little notes of affection percolate his albums like dandruff on a Rastafarian; announcing his affection for his wife as clear a any 60 point bold typeface. And below this picture is the unforgettable line - "On the sands .... and one is a donkey"
See what other Sepians are cuddling up to this weekend by visiting the Sepia Saturday Blog and following the links.
The donkey looks content...perhaps the star of the photo as far as he knew, though Uncle Frank would feel otherwise. Did your Aunt have a soft spot for animals? She looks like she's enjoying herself.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine Auntie Miriam looking through the family albums ans saying "Oh Frank, you're a one, you are!" In response to his wry comments.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo. I love donkeys and living in a big city like Montreal, I don't get to see them often, but when I do, I love their company. They have no problem coming up and "greeting" me. :)
ReplyDeleteA great picture of hugs, cuddles and happiness all round
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to see Auntie Miriam's face when she saw what Uncle Frank had written beneath that picture - although I have a hunch, living with Uncle Frank, the remark was not unexpected & she probably simply laughed and shook her head as she rolled her eyes. :)
ReplyDeleteFrank and Miriam must have had a lot of laughs together. He'd like "dandruff on a Rastafarian". Had me laughing myself off my chair.
ReplyDeleteFun photo and fun Uncle, definitely a character!
ReplyDeleteYou do make me laugh! Reminds me of a photo I saw of Zara Phillips and her horse. The caption said 'Zara Phillips on the right', in order for there not to be any doubt, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I've ever met a donkey I didn't like, nor have I ever met one at all...so those who have are ahead of me on that account.
ReplyDeleteFrank and Miriam will never be forgotten. Would you like to write my posts for me? I'll supply the material you do the wording. Great post/
ReplyDeleteDonkeys are my favourite creatures on Earth and I would be doing exactly what Aunty Miriam is doing. Everyone who hugs a donkey, or scratches its nose, feels better for it.
ReplyDeleteThe only donkeys I have seen have been at the seaside too but with no Auntie Miriam cuddling them.
ReplyDeleteYes! A donkey at last. Sweet as they are. Just when I was beginning to be the odd person out posting about ghosts instead of my beloved animals! Always a treat to hear about your loved ones too!
ReplyDeleteThe very best! The photo and annotation too.
ReplyDelete:)
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