vintage fotos and antique shops

I went antiquing this weekend (can’t say I say that often) in Brooklyn and found priceless old photographs, only after sifting through probably hundreds of images. It didn’t surprise me that I didn’t come across many images of nonwhite people but it did get kind of exhausting after a while. There were countless pictures of families, friends, and individuals navigating both ordinary and special days, covering a span of life events, down to the minute. But the absence of images of people of color, specifically African Americans, was discouraging. It’s almost as if they were written out of the American family, memory, and citizenship. But I am grateful for these gems that I did manage to find, enjoy:

text written in red ink on the photo: Jack Henderson, 1910-1974. based on that, I assume this image was captured in the 60s? toward the end of this man's life.
text written in red ink on the photo: Jack Henderson, 1910-1974. based on that, I assume this image was captured in the 60s? toward the end of this man’s life.
there's no information on the photo but I want to say that they're sisters? they have to family, they have the same eyes.
there’s no information on the photo but I want to say that they’re sisters? they have to be family, they have the same eyes.
how regal is this woman?
how regal does this woman look?
there's no information on this picture either. I love her pose.
there’s no information on this picture either. I love her pose.

The following images are from postcards I purchased at the Brooklyn Book Festival:

LOL is it just me or do you love this man's facial expression? I wonder what he was thinking in this moment. the postcard caption reads: Portrait of a New York family - 1905, Photograph by W.S. Ritch.
LOL is it just me or do you love this man’s facial expression, too? I wonder what he was thinking in this moment. the postcard caption reads: Manhattan Series #106. Portrait of a New York family – 1905, Photograph by W.S. Ritch.
two women on a stoop. postcard caption reads: NYC Tenement Series #110. West 53rd St., Manhattan - 1927
two women on a stoop. postcard caption reads: NYC Tenement Series #110. West 53rd St., Manhattan – 1927
postcard caption: Historic Brooklyn Series #322. Local 135 workers on strike, picketing Colonial Laundry at Lexington and Grand Avenues. Clinton Hill, Brooklyn - 1934.
postcard caption: Historic Brooklyn Series #322. Local 135 workers on strike, picketing Colonial Laundry at Lexington and Grand Avenues. Clinton Hill, Brooklyn – 1934.

back to images from the antique shop:

and the ultimate gem, looks to have been published in a magazine: March 25, 1965 - Montgomery, Alabama: Dr. Martin Luther King leads estimated 10,000 or more civil-rights marchers out on last leg of their Selma-to-Montgomery march. (UPI Photos).
and the ultimate gem, looks to have been published in a magazine: March 25, 1965 – Montgomery, Alabama: Dr. Martin Luther King leads estimated 10,000 or more civil-rights marchers out on last leg of their Selma-to-Montgomery march. (UPI Photos). Coretta Scott King ❤
the talented Debbie Allen in an advertisement for the 1981 movie, Ragtime.
the talented Debbie Allen in an advertisement for the 1981 movie, Ragtime, which was actually set in the early 1900s. #HowardUniversity #excellence
Debbie's costar in the 1981 film, Coalhouse Walker. I love the phone he's holding.
Howard E. Rollins, Jr., Debbie’s costar in the 1981 film, which was actually set in the early 1900s. I love the phone he’s holding. I love everything about his features, from his hair, eyebrows, eyes. #perfection

I conclude this post with #ThankGodForMelanin.

the magic of storytelling

I believe that telling our stories, first to ourselves and then to one another and the world, is a revolutionary act. It is an act that can be met with hostility, exclusion, and violence. It can also lead to love, understanding, transcendence, and community.

– Janet Mock, Redefining Realness

weekend bliss: farmer’s market

peppers in all phases.
peppers in all phases.
my first time seeing Maitake mushrooms, the vendor said they're super delicious. I didn't buy any though, don't have too much experience cooking mushrooms.
my first time seeing Maitake mushrooms, the vendor said they’re super delicious.
they had an assortment of beautiful flowers.
they had an assortment of beautiful flowers.

berry trio:

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sunflowers and bees:

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I bought a bundle of these beauties to take home, minus the bees.

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my purchases:

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attempting photography: serenity in the woods

Using the generous gifts I received for my recent graduation, I bought a camera, and took it with me on a mini getaway to the woods [Shenandoah in Virginia]. There was no phone reception, i.e., no email, social media, calling + texting – basically a dream come true for introvert me. Here’s the product, let me know if you have any tips, advice, comments as I delve into amateur photography.

our humble abode:

the Little Bitty cabin [its actual name] was so cozy. if you know me, you know that I love miniature things.
the kitchen: it looks small but had everything we needed. delicious meals were prepared here.
the kitchen had everything we needed for delicious meals.

the mighty mountains:

signage
signage

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leisure:

at the stable
at the stable
introducing myself to Leah, my horse for the 1.5 hour ride. this was my first time and I was nervous.
introducing myself to Leah, my horse for the 1.5 hour ride. this was my first time and I was nervous.
getting strapped in and saddled up.
getting strapped in and saddled up.
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and we’re off. about 10 minutes into it, I felt comfortable and relaxed.
I survived my first horse riding experience :D
I survived my first horse riding experience 😀
hammock life.
hammock life.
fishing at the pond, not that we actually caught anything.
fishing at the pond, not that we actually caught anything.

dipping my toes in the Shenandoah River [before a snake paid a visit and we all ran away]
dipping my toes in the Shenandoah River [before a snake paid a visit and we all ran away]
landscape:

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always thought these mailboxes were so cool.
always thought these mailboxes were so cool.

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