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.
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , ,

37 comments:

  1. Tess KincaidJanuary 18, 2011 at 9:21 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  2. RJ ClarkenJanuary 18, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    So true! So true!

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. ReflectionsJanuary 18, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    Wonderful take on the prompt.

    ReplyDelete
  4. izzyJanuary 18, 2011 at 10:10 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. ninotazizJanuary 18, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  6. RJ ClarkenJanuary 18, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    Reflections - thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  7. RJ ClarkenJanuary 18, 2011 at 10:59 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  8. RJ ClarkenJanuary 18, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    izzy - thank YOU! ☼

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  10. RJ ClarkenJanuary 18, 2011 at 4:08 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  11. MartinJanuary 18, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    I liked this a lot.

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

    ReplyDelete
  12. LynJanuary 18, 2011 at 4:51 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  13. RJ ClarkenJanuary 18, 2011 at 5:01 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  14. RJ ClarkenJanuary 18, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Thanks, Lyn! ☼

    ReplyDelete
  15. Kay L. DaviesJanuary 18, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  16. RJ ClarkenJanuary 18, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    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...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kristen HaskellJanuary 18, 2011 at 7:55 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  18. RJ ClarkenJanuary 18, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Thanks, Kristen!

    ReplyDelete
  19. HelenJanuary 18, 2011 at 9:31 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  20. RJ ClarkenJanuary 18, 2011 at 9:43 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  21. signed...bkmJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:08 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:19 PM

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

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousJanuary 19, 2011 at 12:13 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousJanuary 19, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousJanuary 19, 2011 at 2:26 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  26. RJ ClarkenJanuary 19, 2011 at 6:56 AM

    bkm - me too! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  27. RJ ClarkenJanuary 19, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  28. RJ ClarkenJanuary 19, 2011 at 6:59 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  29. RJ ClarkenJanuary 19, 2011 at 7:00 AM

    Viv - thanks!

    Colette - indeed! ☺

    ReplyDelete
  30. Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis HallJanuary 19, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    smart one...
    you rock, girl.

    ReplyDelete
  31. RJ ClarkenJanuary 19, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    Jingle - thanks so much! ☺

    ReplyDelete
  32. Sue JJanuary 20, 2011 at 9:54 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  33. CadJanuary 21, 2011 at 6:56 AM

    bundled up tight.

    Sensible ladies!

    ReplyDelete
  34. LilibethJanuary 21, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  35. RJ ClarkenJanuary 21, 2011 at 10:00 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  36. RJ ClarkenJanuary 21, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    Yes indeed, Cad. ☼

    ReplyDelete
  37. RJ ClarkenJanuary 21, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    I'm with you on that one, Lilibeth!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)