Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The Ladies Who Skate, 1905

Photo courtesy of Tess Kincaid
I absolutely love old photographs. There's something fascinating about looking at a moment that's been captured in time, especially from a very time long ago. 

Tess Kincaid contributed this snapshot, which was taken in 1905.  It is a picture of her great aunt with two friends, as they were on their way to go ice skating.  It's the prompt for the week at Magpie Tales.

Here is my Roundel:

The Ladies Who Skate, 1905

Bundled up tight, they posed before the rink.           
Hans Brinker would have loved to see this sight.
With my modern view of fashion, I think…
bundled up tight.

The ladies who skate did find such delight
while circling the ice.  Their cheeks rosy pink,
they carved elegant figure eights, despite
                    
those long woolen coats which trailed on the rink.
No one complained – it would not be polite.
Afterwards, they’d sit and sip a hot drink
bundled up tight.

37 comments:

  1. Charming. I loved this. So many things were left unsaid in those days, out of politeness.

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  2. So true! So true!

    (And thanks for the nice words - and the terrific picture,) ☼

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  3. Yup bundled up tight! and rosy cheeks- hard to breath like that, Thanks!

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  4. Ha! Ha! I remember the first time I skated. I was bundled up tight, just gained 10 pounds (winter caught me by surprise and those Doritos did me in) perhaps I just rolled over on my skates!

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  5. ninitaziz - the Doretos will do it to you every time! haha!

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  6. Ha! Yes, what a cumbersome way to dress, especially for something like ice skating -- seems it could be hazardous. Yet how warm, and how comforting to bundle up in a huge coat, kind of like a mask for the body. And you could be dressed like a slob, or even nude, under there and no one would know... or even speak of such things!

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  7. Hmmmm...interesting idea, Colette. Although, can you imagine what 'they' would say, if 'they' knew?

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  8. I liked this a lot.

    Bundled up so tight, they had to be warm...didn't they?

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  9. This is lovely..you really brought them to life..

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  10. Absolutely, they must've been warm, Martin - and thanks!

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  11. I've often thought that when I've seen old photos like this one. How could they skate?
    Mind you, they were outside, and when I was young and we skated outdoors, our mothers made sure we were all bundled up warmly, but we weren't wearing long dresses or long coats.
    -- K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  12. Y'know, Kay, you're right.

    But if that were me, way back then (assuming I could ice skate, which sadly, I can't anyway) I would've tucked my skirts up into my belt and - propriety be damned - gone right out onto the ice.

    Of course, also knowing me, I'd probably hit the first uneven spot in the rink while showing off, and end up - splat! - face down on the stupid ice.

    Oh well...

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  13. I am with you. I love old photos and your poem told such a nice tale.

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  14. Your Magpie reminded me of 'ladies who lunch' ... AND they don't have to bundle up!

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  15. Helen - bwahaha! I was wondering if anyone might say that! Now I'm not disappointed! ☼

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  16. lovely, especially the hot drink..I would have sat in the rink house and sipped hot chocolate...bkm

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  17. I wonder if they had a hot toddy? Very sweet and fantastic photo.

    Thanks!

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  18. Lovely idea to use an old photo - and the roundel form suits the message well.

    I sometimes wonder if we've gone too far from those straight-laced days- so much visible flesh must be so chilly!

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  19. Lovely idea to use an old photo - and the roundel form suits the message well.

    I sometimes wonder if we've gone too far from those straight-laced days- so much visible flesh must be so chilly!

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  20. RJ, uh-huh, but that's the fun part of it! ;D

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  22. cloakedmonk - hmmm...a toddy would've worked too! ☺ Thanks!

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  23. Viv - thanks!

    Colette - indeed! ☺

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  24. Lovely poem. I don't think I could be bundled up tight like them.

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  25. bundled up tight.

    Sensible ladies!

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  26. A great picture and poem for me to read on an icy morning...but how glad I am that we wear slacks today...especially on the rink!

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  27. Thanks, Sue J. If it was cold enough, I think being bundled up like that might be a good thing. ☺

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  28. I'm with you on that one, Lilibeth!

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