Saturday 11 February 2012

Bookish

 An entry to Sepia Saturday, "Using old images as prompts for new reflections"

I have always loved books, perhaps too much
 because I obviously couldn't be without one on this day out on Hoad Hill, Ulverston.  I remember these little books, they were a set that fitted into a box sleeve. I have no idea who the legs with summer skirts belong to, one would have been my mother. I can remember as a child seeing pictures of people reading in different positions and experimented to see if one would replace curling up on a chair, such as lying on my stomach (too uncomfortable for long periods of time),  but never tried sitting on a branch
 which does look rather spiffing to use the word that could have been used in this book full of stories full of adventure such as "Betty's Besetment" "The Detectives" and "Out of the Storm.  Even if I did not know that this book was published in the 1930s I would know it was my mothers rather than mine because no book illustration would be left uncoloured in a book owned by me as a child.  I wonder which section I would have started on first, possibly the tree flowers, although the dress flowers would be tempting, then again the broad sweeps of the branch would be relaxing.  Although I have never sat on a high branch to read I did used to 
use the lilac tree in the background of this photo to gain access to the wall (not when this picture was taken, those 3 year old legs would never have made it).   On the other side of the wall was a builders yard, which had interesting stacks of wood, copper tubes for plumbing and the coming and goings of the builders. On warm summer days it was my favourite place to sit drying my hair after having it washed.   We left this house when I was 12 years old but I think I gained my love of walled gardens from this time, not to mention hats. But here is a much more elaborate hat

 From the North Yorkshire Library Collection
in an idyllic spot for a quiet moment with a book on the River Greta at Ingleton in 1912, (woman and photographer unknown).

17 comments:

Bob Scotney said...

Trees and walled gardens always fascinated me. The lady with the hat is in a picturesque scene and looks as if she is reading a newspaper.
I still find books of mine that have been coloured in (not very well) by one or other of my children.
I shall have to check out that North Yorkshire Library Collection.

Steph said...

You can never love books too much!

Teresa Wilson Rogers said...

I enjoyed your memories, Joy. The pictures look beautiful especially the walled garden and the woman on the rocks reading. Love the title "Enthralling Stories or Girls."

Wendy said...

The wall reminds me of one of my favorite childhood books -- "The Secret Garden." My best friend and I used to read it every summer.

Unknown said...

I too find ivied wall enchanting. What a cute little girl. I have my mother's old cook book where I practiced writing my name.
QMM

Janet said...

LOVE the hat on the lady in the bottom photo! That walled garden would be irresistible to me, too.

Unknown said...

I enjoyed your post, such beautiful memories and photos. Thank you for sharing them with us.

Linda@VS said...

Idyllic settings for a little girl with a book and a big imagination. Lovely!

Postcardy said...

The picture with the girl on the branch is cute, but totally unrealistic. She doesn't have anything to lean on, and her feet don't touch the ground!

Margaret said...

Adorable child you were here - I love the wind in your hair from the right .. I notice in your profile photo it is blowing your hair in the same place! :) The woman sitting in the stream can't be much more comfortable than the girl on the branch - but it makes for a nice image. :)

Alan Burnett said...

Your post captures the time and that feeling of escape even the smallest book could give you. I suppose books were our internet and just like the internet today, they provided access to a world wide web of thoughts, places and ideas.

Sallie (FullTime-Life.com said...

Love this post -- and don't think one can possibly love books too much! (Although I do remember my grandmother once telling me that I'd go blind if I didn't put down my book and go outside and play.) (I didn't believe her!)

dakotaboo said...

Walled gardens, secret gardens, hidden doorways ... all bringing back distant childhood memories.

Little Nell said...

What a charming photo of you (and your little book) to start off this very enjoyable post.

Christine H. said...

I was reminded of The Secret Garden too. And was there ever a cuter more adorable little girl? What I would give to have hair like that!

Jo said...

Enjoyed your pictures and stories - you're never alone with a book! I love walled gardens too. We had a greengage tree which we climbed to get on top of our wall when I was young. Happy memories :-)

Elizabeth said...

What a lovely post, Joy, and what a beautiful little girl you were. x