Saturday Snapshots: July 14, 2012

"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it." ~ Russell Baker

{Then as now, there are few ways more serene or enjoyable to spend a sunny afternoon then out on the water in a rowboat with someone special.} 







{This 1950s outdoor party photo is so fun and easy relate to, especially since me, my husband, and my little brother all have our birthdays falling on dates in June, July, and August. }
 





{I adore this 1940s snapshot, it reminds me of me a bit of my own maternal grandparents in a way, back when they were good looking youngsters, like this couple, with their whole lives ahead of them.}
 





{A small group of fifties folks, including at least two moms-to-be, gather in a parking lot in Long Beach, their eyes cast to the left at what exactly, we can only guess.}
 





{Two couples from Los Angles, the ladies in lovely summer dresses, relax in an attractive tree and flower lined backyard during the sizzling hot days of 1956.}
 





{It was the two peoples' poses, relaxed, spontaneous, and natural that drew me to this 1940s photo, the car, his pipe, her hairstyle and many elements more hold your attention there and having you smiling as much as they are in no time at all.}
 





{When one thinks of 1950s teenagers, there are certain iconic things that spring to mind: circle skirts, saddle shoes, bobby socks, and Coca-Cola, for example, all of which this charmingly delightful image of two young lasses is teams with.}
 

{This fantastic 50s photo speaks for itself: summer road trip!!!} 

 





{Three well dressed 1940s folks stand against a tranquil urban French background far off in the distance. Lovely and stylish as the grownups are, it's the super cute little girl with her hair bows and cross-body purse that steals your heart.}
 





{Muscles and aerobatics abound in this exciting, action packed 1950s beach shot of a scene that, past or present, one does not encounter every day.}


{All images above are from Flickr. To learn more about a specific image, please click on it to be taken to its respective Flickr page.}



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Every time I encounter the quote above from American Pulitzer Prize winning writer Russell Baker, I cannot help but grin a little and nod. Summer is a season of extremes, and heat is generally one of the things that skyrockets well beyond the range of what we're comfortable with. Yet many people - myself included - actually rather love the sweltering, soul baking temperatures, the glaring sun, the pavement so warm you fry a thousand eggs on it.

Summer, like a vixenish woman is alluring, gorgeous, bold, and in control. It seems to know what it's doing at every moment, and is well aware of the fact that for much of the year, we pine for it to no end. When the mercury drops below freezing and the world is a drab palette of dirt stained grey and white, it's summer's sweet face, powerful embrace, and vibrant voice that we call out for in our souls.

While there are times when we all need respite from the dog days, there are plenty more, especially knowing how short lived the third season of the year can be in Canada, when I'm grateful for the crazy heat, the breezes so perfectly mellow and warm they make you feel as though you've died and gone to heaven, the foods and gardens that only exist from June through August, and the vintage wardrobe pieces I get to put into rotation during the summer.

Yes, summer can make us suffer - be it via weather, bugs, sand in our swimsuits, or myriad other ways - but it also endures itself to our hearts, crams in so many marvelous memories each time it visits that we can't help but adore it, and ensures that whether in November, January, or April, we'll still be thinking about its return and yearning for the days when we can once again suffer the sweet pleasures of its sun-kissed return.