Tuesday 24 April 2012

Sepia Saturday 123 : 28 April 2012


Sumer is icumen in,
Lhude sing cuccu!
Groweþ sed and bloweþ med
And springþ þe wde nu,
Sing cuccu!

I do apologise to those Sepia Saturday followers in the Southern hemisphere for the parochial quotation, I know from their point of view "Sumer is agoeth out". Whether summer is coming or going, the month of May is almost upon us and I have a folksy archive image for you this week, which is appropriately described in the catalogue of the Oregon State University Digital Archives as "May Day With People Around The May Pole". The picture, which dates back to 1920, was taken in the Neil Creek Farm Bureau Community, which, I assume, is in Oregon. As far as the "themers" are concerned, it is yours to make of what you will - you can really let your imaginations go on this one. And if you don't want to play themes, it doesn't matter - just share an old image and some new thoughts. In either case, post your post on or around Saturday 28 April, link it to the list below and then try and visit as many of the other participants as possible.

In line with our new policy, here is a sneak preview of our next two archive images. For those who prefer an element of surprise, close your eyes now!


Such exciting things are for the future. For now, let us concentrate on the carefully co-ordinated rustic dance that is Sepia Saturday.



34 comments:

Postcardy said...

I don't remember ever seeing a maypole but I have a postcard of one.

Barbara Rogers said...

Maypole dancing is a tradition that is carried forward still.

North County Film Club said...

I went from maypoles to Mayday and related to a Titanic survivor for this week's post. Stop by and meet Aunt Lillian.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Hello Friends! I did this post on May Day, and even found a picture of one of my Grandma's best friends as May Queen in 1930. I might do another one using the store theme, not quite sure yet.

Can't wait to see your posts,

Kathy M.

Mike Brubaker said...

No May poles from me, but some musical spring time traditions from another country.

Little Nell said...

May 1st seventy years ago is remembered in my post this week. I have a second post up my sleeve that I need some help with on translation. Coming soon......

Tattered and Lost said...

May is the month to dance. No doubt about it.

Kristin said...

No May Poles but a couple of demonstrations and what's May Day without demonstrations?

Bob Scotney said...

May Days over the years.

Alan Burnett said...

One of the nice things about having theme images rather than theme titles is that you can built tenuous connections with nothing more than a spider-thread of suggestion. Say hello to Miss Chambers.

Wendy said...

Beautiful girls and a literal interpretation ~

Little Nell said...

Second entry this week, more in keeping with the theme. I’ve been going round in circles of my own - can anyone help?

Anonymous said...

I have been holding onto this photo for months! I found it last year at *the* antique shop where I find so many great photos and it is perfect for this week, on theme and everything. :-)

21 Wits said...

What a fun theme this is for me! Where I grew up there were still some May Day celebrations, but I never ever experienced some of the grand celebrations I had such interest in digging up! Amazing what and where May Day has been! Thanks for brightening my world Alan!

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

I went back to the Australian Federation Celebration which took place In 1901. Unfortunately the picture is not very sharp, a stereotype photograph from 1901 gleaned from the Museum of Victoria.

Howard said...

A bank holiday themed post from me this week

North County Film Club said...

Hi Alan,
Oops. I posted #15 by mistake. Could you please delete it.
Thanks so much.
Helen

North County Film Club said...

Hi again,
Helen is here right now and we're doing this comment on my computer.
Hope this hasn't been too confusing.
Nancy

Christine H. said...

This photo seems unusual to me in that men are included in the ritual.

Unknown said...

We are preparing to depart again for about 3 weeks and so I will not be posting to Sepia...but as time allows on this trip, I may check in to see what others share.

Unknown said...

Maypole dances and May Processions honoring Mary the Mother Jesus are still held in this neck of the woods every May.
QMM

Bruno Laliberté said...

Not an obvious theme for me, but I did gather a picture, an ad, some illustrations, some music and a vid from the archives of the province next door.
When there is a will,
there is a way!!
:)~
HUGZ

BTW:
SS125, in 2 weeks, is heading me in a weird direction. Better brace yourselves as I'm having way too much fun with that one.
:D~

Bob Scotney said...

I've posted a second time as my first link disappeared!

Nancy said...

No May Pole photographs, though my mother once commented that when she was a child she and others danced around a May Pole.

Wibbo said...

Completely off topic this week - a family photograph instead.

Teresa Wilson Rogers said...

I just entered my May Day/May Pole entry on Saturday this time!

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

I have to apologise for not having visited many people last week but I promise to do better this time.

L. D. said...

Off theme as usual for me but I am on board for a change. I have missed out with getting my postings up and running.

DougVernX said...

I've gone as far off topic as anyone can get. Let's just say I had a craving for green cheese this week. :)

dakotaboo said...

It's almost May, but unfortunately we are not enjoying the same May weather that's shown in my posting this week.

Howard said...

I have added a few more pictures to my post

Linda said...

A day in May, c. 1964. The gang gathered round the pole...

Historiana said...

Sorry, no theme for me this time....but it certainly is sepia - and a big one at that!

Jinksy said...

How I wish this could have been a video! Can you imagine this staid lot on the move? LOL Love the photo...