June 28, 2011

Relaxing on the Beach

This photo makes me uncomfortable in so many ways. Aside from the obvious, the only sunblock around in 1950 was sticky, red, and seldom used, and (as a fellow redhead) I can feel her skin sizzling. Get under an umbrella, girl! Somewhere, this woman is sitting around telling her grandkids, "I used to have the best skin, and now look at it." That being said, I think my favorite part of this picture is that no one is watching her contort herself. Was this the acrobats' day out?

Rockaway Beach, New York
1950

9 comments:

Verdant Earl said...

Do. Not. Like.

Contortionists freak me out.

That Hank said...

They don't freak me out, but I can see where that reaction comes from.

Steph(anie) said...

Just imagine all the places she had sand up in.

That Hank said...

Uh, I think I'd rather not.

Ms. Moon said...

I wonder if those were here Converses? I doubt it but they would have looked cute with that dress.
I don't know. I kinda love this picture. Sure, she's going to feel a bit uncomfortable after it's over but come on- she's also going to be telling her grandchildren- look what Grandma used to be able to do!

That Hank said...

That's no lie. She looks like a gal who likes to have fun.

Anonymous said...

uh... maybe she's not a contortionist... Maybe she's up to her waist in sand and someone is lying down behind her with their legs over her shoulder. Maybe?

That Hank said...

I wondered that, too, but the toenails match the fingernails.

That Hank said...

See, that's what I thought, too.