Sepia Saturday #3: Girl in a swing.
She was 18 when this photograph was taken. Home from Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia she shed the young lady who was studying hard to make a career for herself as a teacher to indulge the little girl that was still there in her heart. You can see how much she’s enjoying herself by the big smile on her face and the relaxed posture—the slight lean of her body. Note how she loosely grips the ropes, how her arms hang almost slack and her feet dangle in their shiny black shoes and dark socks.
She was born in 1896 and died in 1990 at the age of 94. In December, 1902, she got to sit on Marconi’s knee when he was in town to make the first transmission of a radio message to cross the Atlantic. Her father was the town clerk of Glace Bay and brought his six-year old daughter to see the event.
She was a life-long fan of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and there was even a rumour that she had a rose he had given to her personally on one of his campaigns.
She loved to watch the Montreal Canadians trounce the Toronto Maple Leafs in ice hockey.
She wouldn’t say no to a drink of beer on a hot summer’s day.
Her only regrets in life were that she never learned to use a typewriter or drive a car.
She was my grandmother, Sarah Catherine “Katie” Harris (nee McNeil).
Kat Mortensen©2009 
For more Sepia Saturday entrants, see Alan Burnett’s News From Nowhere blog where he is recording all participants. Feel like joining in? Just let Alan know you’ve posted and he’ll put you on the list.
2009/12/11 at 4:32 pm
Kat, I like this very much. I like the fact that she got to be with Marconi when he made his famous transmission.
2009/12/11 at 4:33 pm
i love the stories these sepia saturdays are bringing out…great pic and sounds like a great woman…her only regrets…too cool.
2009/12/11 at 5:06 pm
Oh Kat. This is very nice. Thank you for sharing her story with us.
2009/12/11 at 7:34 pm
Wow kat, what a history – and what a lot of it! Your grandmother sounds astonishing, and I love the starkness of her black and white clothing offset by the marvellous smile. Something special here.
2009/12/11 at 9:17 pm
Kat, this is wonderful…Do you have anymore Grandma Katie stories? She sounds like a lot of fun.
2009/12/11 at 9:19 pm
e—I have a few stories from when she used to come and visit when I was a kid. I'll save those for another time.Glad you're enjoying this, everyone!Kat
2009/12/11 at 11:58 pm
What wonderful reading! I want her for my own!
2009/12/12 at 1:05 am
That photo is poem-worthy, Kat. Such a beautiful smile!
2009/12/12 at 1:28 am
That's a lot of interesting facts you know about your grandmother. I like the photo too. she had a rich ful life!BTw, I panicked when I saw one of your blogs was on haitus and then realised I was not on this one–the one I come to the most. Phew.
2009/12/12 at 5:57 am
Kat this is a fabulous post. I know we have spent a bit of time trying to decide what Sepia Saturday should be about. Forget the discussions, this is what it should be about.
2009/12/12 at 7:01 am
A lovely history. Thank you for sharing.
2009/12/12 at 7:53 am
Kat, way cool is this story! And too be at a history changing event like that…just wonderous
2009/12/12 at 7:57 am
Did she become the teacher she was studying to be? Neat story about Katie and Marconi. I'm enjoying these Sepia Saturday posts.
2009/12/12 at 8:00 am
Beautiful! I never knew my grandmothers and always envy anyone who had a relationship with one. She sounds like a lovely lady.
2009/12/12 at 8:44 am
She was a really beautiful woman!Beautiful tribute!Have a nice weekend!
2009/12/12 at 9:00 am
That is a beautiful photo. What a gorgeous smile!
2009/12/12 at 10:00 am
Ah such a lovely picture! I lurve the dress she is wearing too… looks comfy and free. Not restricting like some from that era. Every time I read or hear the name Nova Scotia, I think about the Anne of Green Gables books and would love to visit it someday. Hope your having a great Saturday!
2009/12/12 at 10:23 am
Oh, this is just beautiful! I can almost hear her laughter. What a long, wonderful life she had, too.I'm loving the blue/gray decor here, too!
2009/12/12 at 10:24 am
PS ~ has anyone discussed the possibility of a seperate blog for this…like theme thursday…where we could sign up all week? Just a thought.
2009/12/12 at 11:27 am
what a lovely profile and photo. I don't know half enough about my grandmothers.
2009/12/12 at 11:37 am
A wonderful photo & a wonderful tribute to your grandmother!
2009/12/12 at 11:39 am
Oh Kat, this was wonderful to see and read. I love those old sepia photos, they always move me, even if I don't have all the charming details like you have provided here.
2009/12/12 at 3:04 pm
I love her brilliant smile. So rare in these old photos. Lovely post, Kat.
2009/12/12 at 3:24 pm
What a sweet photo. I wish I could have been around back in those days…maybe I was. In any case…if she only regretted having not learned to type or drive a car, she must have had a wonderfully full life. She's beautiful. Loving the Sepia Saturday.
2009/12/12 at 3:41 pm
Kat, that photo is FANTASTIC. I too love how relaxed she looks which begs the question, is there more info on the setting? Just a thought I had.I love the Marconi fact. Wow!I found some old photos myself, and may just join in on this fun.Thanks for sharing.
2009/12/12 at 4:44 pm
what a joyful picture
2009/12/13 at 11:56 am
Such a loving and romantic post, Kat! Lovely!
)
2009/12/13 at 10:06 pm
Wonderful, just wonderful!I love the details, and how full of love for her you are.
2009/12/14 at 9:09 am
Beautiful and moving post Kat! Now we know where a lot of your spunk came from!
2009/12/14 at 9:34 pm
This was a very interesting read and I like the photo you chose. She saw a lot of changes in her life….so much like my grandmothers.