Sepia Saturday #190

I must begin this week's post with a heartfelt apology. It has been well over a year and a half since I have either participated in Sepia Saturday or visited the posts of other Sepians, and I have sorely missed it! While I could wax poetic about the greed of the modern schedule or the elusiveness of time, I will instead simply make my post as if the gap year didn't really exist.

Of course, I'm still posting these on Sunday. Some things just can't be helped.

This week's photo prompt shows four fashionably dressed young ladies having a picnic in the grass.  Sadly, I have no personal family photographs of picnics or outings to share. Growing up, my immediate family (and extended family, as well) didn't seem particularly inclined toward outdoor celebrations of any kind. "Too much work" and "too many bugs" were just two of the excuses I remember hearing. And from the definite lack of evidence to the contrary, it would seem The Fam came by that inclination honestly -- there are no photographs of such family activities back through three or four generations. 

That doesn't mean I come to the party empty-handed, however!

 

In working with my local historical society, one of the projects I have begun is identifying some of the dozens and dozens of unknown photographs in our collection, such as the above image.  While the names are lost, the image is nonetheless fabulous! I love the formality of the fashion and the table setting, even though the event is outdoors in a tent. Speaks volumes about the nature of the dining experience a century ago - there's even a vase of fresh-cut flowers on the table. Whatever the occasion, it's obvious that this gathering is incredibly elaborate, unlike the more spontaneous picnics on the grass.

Come see what other Sepians have posted by clicking ==> HERE!!