I went back to Covent Garden yesterday morning to browse the antique market. Remember how I was there a couple of weeks ago looking for old photos and there were none to be found? Well, that's because I went on the wrong day of the week. Mondays, it turns out, are the day for antiques. Moral of the story: Always do your research.
I did find some great old pictures and I'll no doubt make blog posts out of them at some point. I love finding old images that are in danger of being discarded and helping them live on in the digital realm.
Before I show you other people's old photos, though, here's one of my own:
This is my mom, back in the early 1960s, when she was working at the U.S. Bureau of Standards in Washington. She did this around the time she was getting her master's degree in mathematics from the University of Maryland. I don't even know what she did at the Bureau -- something involving numbers and things. (I'm showing you the enormous gap between my mother's mathematical knowledge and my own.)
Anyway, today is her birthday. She's 85 years old, which is hard for me to even comprehend, and as we've discussed she's not in the best of health. I hope she manages some little celebration.
Back in our garden, yesterday morning, I planted more datura seedlings in their "forever pots." I only have four more left and I've got to find them a home today. (I say "forever" but these plants are annuals so all the pots will be empty again come winter.) Next time I'll know not to plant so many seeds. (Yeah, right.)
The Russians, who live upstairs, have asked me to water the plants on their terrace while they're away for several weeks. They didn't give me access to their flat, though, so I have to get the water up there using a stepladder and garden hose from our patio. I did it yesterday for the first time and it's a bit precarious, and also impossible to do without getting soaked. Dave is a little indignant about the whole thing -- he says they should have given me a key -- but I just hope I can keep everything alive through this hottest part of the summer. I sure don't need the Russians mad at me.
I wonder if the Russians gave any thought as to how you would do the watering?
ReplyDeleteYour Mum was a nice looking woman. I wish I knew more about mathematics. I sometimes get the feeling that I have loads of information in the back of my head but just can't access it. At least I know enough to live within my budget and don't owe any money.
First: I cannot believe the neighbors expect you to climb up a ladder to water their plants. That is above and beyond. Appalling.
ReplyDeleteThe photo of your mother is exceptional. A great moment captured and what a beautiful woman.
“Next time I'll know not to plant so many seeds” should really be the name of your blog.
What a lovely photo of your stylish mother. The Bureau of Standards must have fell apart after she left.
ReplyDeleteThat's ridiculous about the plant watering. You should have said no unless provided with proper access. You can be sure they won't be there to pay bills if you fell off a ladder. But then nor do we want mad Russians. We have recently seen what one can do.
Yeah - please don't make the Russians mad or they will invade your flat and blow up your houseplants. What is more, they will deny all responsibility.
ReplyDeleteWonderful picture of your mother when she was young and pretty. It is quite unusual to get workplace portraits like that and I like the fact that she was not looking into the camera.
What an outstanding picture of your mother. Do you know who took it?
ReplyDeleteThe Bureau of Standards sounds like something out of Orwell's "1984".
Water our plants but use a ladder? Nope. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm with everyone else - what the heck is with climbing a ladder? Maybe they thought you could just aim a hose up there? Did you check their door - maybe they left it unlocked.
ReplyDeleteYour mom is giving off very Audrey Hepburn vibes. That's the kind of hair I always want, but look ridiculous wearing. Happy birthday to her!
Love that photo of your mom. I also love knowing that she studied mathematics. That's so interesting.
ReplyDeletePretty crazy to have to climb a ladder to water your neighbor's plants. Maybe they hid a key somewhere and forgot to tell you. Be careful there. Oy.
That's a lovely photo of your mom -- love the b/w and photos of people doing what they do. A Happy Birthday to her. I agree with Bug who mentioned the Audrey Hepburn vibes.
ReplyDeleteMight they have a key under the mat or flower pot they didn't tell you about. Is it possible to pick the lock or when you get in, leave it unlocked (I could do that in my neighborhood but don't know about London!) This doesn't sound like a safe method at all! Be careful!
The more I think of it, leave the flat unlocked when you go up next time. They deserve it.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great photo of your mother. And, it brings back "early employment" memories. I recognize that paper she's holding with the little printer guide holes on each side. I wonder any print outs are done that way today. I can't think of any.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the plants. Don't injure yourself standing on that ladder.
That's a lovely photo of your Mom. Happy Birthday to her. Enjoy your day my friend, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your Mom! I love that photo of her rocking her cute pixie haircut!
ReplyDeleteI hope it rains so you don't have to water the neighbor's plants!
I would not be climbing a stepladder to water any plants, not even my own.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize your mother was a mathematician, with her masters. I'm always deeply impressed and slightly envious of women who came before and had the guts to do the unexpected. She's also quite lovely.
I echo everyone else's thoughts about your watering job. It sounds too dangerous.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of your mom and I LOVE her hair! For me, it brings to mind a brunette Twiggy.
Gorgeous photo of Covent Garden. I miss your street photography. I remember that kind of computer paper that your mother is holding, and used it in various jobs until the early 1990s. Big stacks of paper had to be printed for every update of inventory, in dot matrix on green and white striped sheets that always ripped too easily.
ReplyDeleteYour Mom looks brilliant. That is a great photo.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful picture of your vibrant mother! Be careful on that ladder--I hate them and get vertigo so it's hard for me to imagine that others won't fall off. :(
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely picture of your mother! She's quite beautiful. A ladder? You've got to be kidding me. That's the craziest darn thing that I ever heard...and there you are taking the duties so very seriously. You are a better man than me, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteYour Mom shows a very 60 ish style. Somebody took a great photo.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a great photo of your mom! I like old photos too. A moment in time, captured forever. Doesn't matter if I know the people or not, they're still fascinating.
ReplyDeleteBe careful on that ladder. What entitled neighbours :(
I did laugh at Mitchell's comment about re-naming your blog.
How the hell did they expect you to water their plants without giving you access to their patio? And why didn't you ask for a key? I would not be climbing up a ladder to water their stuff. So now you're taking care of the Russians plants and Ms K's yard?
ReplyDeleteI did not get any volunteers this year from either of my two daturas that came up last year.
River: I know enough math to manage my life, but not the abstract stuff -- calculus and that kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteMitchell: She asked if I wanted her hose, and I said no. What I needed was better access to their plants!
Andrew: She didn't work there long because she moved to Florida with my father, but she loved that job while she had it.
YP: I have a couple of similar shots, actually. I wish I knew who took them and why!
Ed: I don't! Nowadays the Bureau of Standards is known as the National Institute of Standards and Technology. They do research on engineering, business technology and physical science and that kind of thing.
Bob: I should have said that. I thought it would be easier than it is.
Bug: It's funny -- I've heard that Audrey Hepburn comparison from several people. I never thought of it but yeah, I can see the resemblance!
Robin: Both my parents were university mathematicians. Bizarre, huh?
Jeanie: LOL! I'm sure they didn't leave a key lying around. They're way too paranoid for that.
Sharon: Yes! I remember that printer paper. My parents used to bring home reams of it and I'd use the discarded paper to draw on.
Edna: Thanks from me and my mom!
Ellen D: My mom has had variations of that haircut for as long as she's been an adult. She hasn't had long hair since girlhood.
Pixie: She was fortunate in that her parents had graduate-level educations, so they could push her in that direction.
Kelly: She was a tiny thing as a young woman -- 110 pounds or something like that.
Vivian: Yeah, I think I remember it being used into the '80s. I'm glad you commented, Vivian! I miss your blog!
Allison: Thanks, from both of us!
Margaret: So far I haven't had any trouble but I think the others are right -- I need to find a better way to do this.
Debby: I don't think I realized when I agreed how hard it would be!
Red: Yeah, it must have been a departmental photographer at her office. That's all I can imagine.
Jenny-O: It's great to put the photos out there digitally and keep them alive. I hate it when I hear of people discarding their old pictures or slides.
Ellen: No, Mrs. K is handling her own yard, thank goodness. I didn't realize how hard it would be to water for the Russians when I agreed to do it.