Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Step Snapshots

I really enjoy black-and-white photographs. I look at many of them when planning blogs or when looking for new photos of family I haven’t seen before. In this one, I find that there’s a quiet beauty on the front steps of the Miller farmhouse in German Valley, Illinois. Perhaps they were just pausing between chores or taking a quick rest outside when the idea of taking a photo came up. Here we have Maye Miller Motter, Wava Miller, and Eunice Kramer Miller sitting together in the soft light of an ordinary day.

In every photo I see of Maye, she reflects a grace and gentleness that you don’t always see. Wava, by being in the middle, bridges the two women together with her youthful energy and curls. Eunice on the right has a smile that reflects the pride she feels in her home and her family. And you can just see into the front porch. When I knew it, there was a couch and chairs, an organ, and other items being stored on it. But it was always open and sunny, allowing a place for us to play, tucked safely away from the adults with toys and books.

In the end, it’s photos like this that remind us how the smallest pauses become the reflections that help hold the Miller family story together. Maye, Wava, and Eunice weren’t posing for history — they were simply sharing a moment on a warm day on the farm. As time moved forward and those steps changed, this photo keeps them alive in a way time cannot erase.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Hand In Hand, Beside Their Dad

I love black and white photography. The different shades of gray have a way of connecting a photo and making subjects stand clear. Every expression, shadow, and gesture feels timeless and more visible. No elaborate background is necessary. Just a family posed outside in their Sunday best with nature and natural light around them.

Kermit is taking a protective stance behind his children. Steady. Grounded. There, if they should need him, but showing gentleness and pride too. From left to right, we have the Miller children, Wayne, Raymond, and Wava. I love the way that Wayne is holding Raymond’s hand by the fingertips. While he looks to be independent, he’s safe in knowing that his brother is ready to stand wherever Wayne would need him to be. Behind him, supporting him, or in front of him, protecting him. For me, it’s Raymond in the middle that becomes the visual and emotional center of the group. He shows that he’s already looked upon to be responsible and that he’s expected to look after his siblings when needed. His placement between his siblings connects them all to his father. Wava brings a softness and balance to the group. Her expression and stance add a gentle contrast to her brothers’ more formal posture. I believe that this photo was taken on the walk outside of Kermit and Eunice’s farm. Taken about 1950, give or take a year or two.

This photograph remains unchanged — a simple, steady reminder of a father and his children standing together on an ordinary day, hand in hand, a small piece of the Miller family story that is still speaking long after the shutter clicked.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Double Exposure

I don’t think you could get this result on our modern digital cameras if we tried. But back when the only way to get a picture was to use a camera with film it was easy to do. Double exposure was achieved when the same file was exposed multiple times without advancing the film. This resulted in multiple images being superimposed within a single film frame.

This photo is a super cute posing of twins Wayne and Wava on the front yard at the Miller farm. They look to be about 2 years old. Which would place this photo about 1948. I love the contrast of their hair. Wava with her curls and Wayne with his straight bright blonde hair. We have a photo of my dad with the same hairstyle with the cutest curls. Her dress has the cutest cap sleeves, but in the normal photo seem to have either contrasting cap sleeves or she’s wearing a short sleeved sweater. But in the double exposure you can clearly see that’s they are made out of the same fabric as the rest of the dress. Wayne’s just rocking the overall shorts. They seem to be posing so nicely, but you just know they are ready to move on from posing to playing.

I think I was 8 when I got a hand me down camera. It was hard to remember if I’d taken a photo or advanced the film. The first several batches of film that I had developed, had MANY double exposure photographs. But over the years those have become my favorite photos. Lately life is happening so quickly that it seems I have a bunch of double exposures.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Florida!

I love to go to Florida. The ocean, the warm breezes and sunshine, lots and lots of sunshine. During the winter Kermit and Eunice liked to go to Florida too. They started to go to Florida with their friends George and Lorraine McDonald. When they would go, usually Don and Ruby would stay with the kids. But one year, they all went for a wonderful week spent in the sunny shores of Florida.

Their trip started in Oregon, Illinois where they took the train to downtown Chicago. Once in Chicago they made their way to Midway From Midway, they flew on a DC7 aircraft which could carry 90 people to Miami. Then from Miami they rode on a Greyhound Bus to a place called The Greyhound Keys. This key is located half way between Miami and the Florida Keys. I found an aerial photo which I found interesting. It looks like a wonderful place to rest, relax and enjoy the sunshine that one so desperately seeks in the winter months.

The Greyhound Bus Company received permission from the interstate commerce commission to purchchase all of the Florida Motor Lines and changed the name to the Florida Greyhound Lines in 1945. Sometime in 1947 they began construction on the terminal and restaurant/rest stop facility. In 1955 the US Postal Service authorized a station post office with the name Greyhound Key. The postmaster was the restaurant manager.

In 1966 Kampgrounds of America purchased the island from the Greyhound Company and gave the island a new name, Fiesta Key. This island has been known as such ever since.

There were more photos then I usually work with for a posting so I took them and turned them into a movie. The year that the whole family went, George and Lorraine’s daughter went with them to Greyhound Key, she is in a photo with Wava. Even though spring is right aound the corner, I sure would like to be in Sunny Florida right now.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson · 1 Comment

Lovely Spring Day

Wayne, Raymond and Wava (Miller) Schneiderman – Date Unknown

We’ve had glorious spring weather this week and I thought that we needed a glorious spring photo!  

There was no information on the back of this photograph.  We can tell that the subjects are Wayne, Raymond and Wava in their cute little spring outfits.   I’m not sure where the photo was taken, but assume it was in the front yard there at Kermit and Eunice’s. It appears that it might be this time of year, perhaps just having turned into spring. There are no visible leaves on the trees, but it’s warm enough for Wava to be in a dress. And isn’t she cute. Wayne does not appear too happy to be having his photo taken.  And Raymond looks like the older brother helping out with Wava and Wayne where needed.  

May we all have such beautiful weather where we are.  And if you have gray weather may their sunny smiles brighten your day.