Saturday, October 19, 2013

Photo's 2004 - Before DSLR


Photo's 2004 - (before DSLR)


Time travel with me back a Long Way to the 1950's, for sure it was before digital cameras, and mothers little box Brownie took no photos of flowers, only rare photos of our family. The inspiration for this post is the fact I paid 6.95 for a watermelon.


My mothers family was from here where I live now, and most were farmers or citrus growers, fresh fruit and veggies were our common way of life. 

In Savannah daddy grew all our food, but not watermelons, and we paid a dollar each for big water melons, we were always excited to come here to visit my grandmother because they were so cheap. Watermelons here were 2 and 3 for a dollar... 




 My grandmother had 3 mango trees, 2 kumquat trees, a lemon tree with lemons the size of a grapefruit, and wild cherries on bushes. her sister had a grove of 4 kinds of citrus. I thought I was in heaven with all that free fruit... we went home with the car loaded.



Mothers sister married a tomato farmer and he grew potatoes for Ruffles Chips in the summer and tomatoes in the winter... his sons still do that. 

we never iced our watermelons, we ate them room temps and I still prefer mine that way. bob likes his cold.


we would take one out in the yard and daddy hacked it in big chunks and we dripped ate until it was gone. 


36 comments:

EG CameraGirl said...

Fond memories, Sandra! The price of watermelons sure has gone up over the decades, but I'm very surprised you had to pay so much for one where you are.

Ann said...

I love watermelon but around here we pretty much just have them in the summer. The price is outrageous though.
That must have been awesome having all those relatives with fruit farms

Anonymous said...

Good memories. I believe we ate watermelon room temp too, now that you mention it. We would drip on to a folded newspaper.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Have to agree with Bob on how I also enjoy watermelon, which are plentiful here in the summer. But, Grenville is not such a fan and so we rarely buy a whole melon. Luckily Chinese buffets always have it on the dessert table and it's my favorite choice.

From the Kitchen said...

Those were the days my friend! I like my melon cold with salt and pepper.

Best,
Bonnie

Catherine said...

So much prettiness here this morning!
Happy Saturday Sandra!
xo Catherine

My Mind's Eye said...

Beautiful photos...and may we suggest to find a shadow box large enough to frame that golly filled watermelon
Hugs
Madi and mom

Muffy's Marks said...

This post jogged my memory about watermelons. We had relatives in Pensacola and of course drove through Alabama to visit. On the return trip we found watermelons for $1.00/each. Dad bought 5 or 6. When we got back to Wis, I had a watermelon party. Invite my friends, put on the 45's, ate the best watermelon we ever had. (Normally in Wis, watermelon are picked before ripe and shipped here)
My friends talked about that party for many years afterwards.
Now lets hear about your experiences with those road side stands that had peacock chenille bedspreads hung out, and all the treasures that could be purchased inside.

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

I found your tripack down the watermelon path sweet:)
And I adore your header!!

Linda P said...

A very colourful post Sandra! Watermelons bought here in the UK have no flavour. On the other hand when we're in Italy they're a thirst-quenching, delicious, favourite fruit taken straight from the field.

Gail said...

Great pictures along with great memories.

TexWisGirl said...

sounds like some fine days...

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Love your family story, a more simple time and very awesome! I didn't grow up with anything fresh, all canned. Of course we had watermelon in the summer but not as cool as you did. That is awesome about the Ruffles Chips......

Ruth Hiebert said...

Wonderful pictures. I smile when I read that you paid 6.95 for a watermelon. Out here,because they have to imported from Texas,we pay at least $9-12 for a large watermelon.I try not to think of the price and just enjoy them,because the season is short.

Susannah said...

Hi Sandra, It is such a treat to hear all of your family memories. This one about the fruits and tomatoes and etc. is wonderful! I could listen forever. I love watermelon any way I can get it. At Grandma and Grandpa's cottage ...we always had a watermelon spitting contest. We looked so forward to it.

The photos are fantastic. Beautiful shots. I like the ornamental cabbage.

Have a good Saturday!

Rose said...

Loved reading your memories...I prefer watermelon cold, but can eat it room temp too.

RoeH said...

You're good. I never took pictures before digital. Well maybe the Brownie Hawkeye camera in the 50's.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Oh gosh, this reminds me of my childhood..eating slices of watermelon out in the yard, under a huge horse apple tree. My cousin didn't like watermelon and would sit there drinking ice tea while we made sloppy messes. Grandpa had a watermelon patch- yellow and red meated. Oh my...memories!

theconstantwalker said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
theconstantwalker said...

A wonderful post... one of the first photos of me has me standing in the bath naked eating a massive melon.
South Africa c.1957.

Deb said...

my hubby has a story about his Dad buying a pick up truck load of watermelons for $5 in the 70's....they ate a lot of watermelon that summer...so did the neighbor kids...great photos...

Ginny Hartzler said...

I love your story! And the photos!! What IS that odd shaped and beautiful red flower in the fourth picture? I have never seen anything like it! That is my favorite plus the blue glass ball, plus the first one, there are too many beautiful ones to choose!

LindyLouMac said...

Lovely memories.

Chatty Crone said...

They were probably expensive because they need a lot of rain and you don't have a lot of rain? Great memories. And boy a camera sure makes a difference.

I went to that web site - to work on a picture - I didn't or couldn't find and Halloween stuff like yours in the header.

Love, sandie

My Mind's Eye said...

Dear Sandra

Mom and I thank you so much for the kind comments you left on our blog regarding dear Sweet Pip's trip to the rainbow bridge...
He loved well and was well loved.
Hugs Madi and Mom

LC said...

Those were the days!

Anonymous said...

Fine days indeed!

Christine said...

Wonderful memories Sandra!

SquirrelQueen said...

I was horrified by the price of your watermelon until I realized they are out of season. How much were they a month or so ago? The stores here get the best ones from about 50 miles from here and they are cheap.

When I was growing up we rarely bought produce since we had a garden.

I love all your 2006 photos. Your digital camera back then was a good ones. The DSLR just gives you more control and of course these days the mega pixels are higher.

photowannabe said...

Ummm, I love a good, juicy, tasty watermelon.
It seems they are smaller nowadays and the store ones are mostly seedless and tasteless too.
Love the reminders of times gone by.

Mersad said...

We also have watermelons only in the summer. They are truly seasonal fruit here.

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

Willow said...

Tasty memories !! YUMMM

Marie said...

weren't the simple times nice?? lovely memories, thanks for sharing. :)

Our photos said...

Lovely is your post for today!
Greetings, RW & SK

Renegades said...

I would love to have a mango tree.

Betty Manousos said...

oh, i love the composition in these shots. wonderful photos. and great memories, too.
love them both.