Monday, August 12, 2013

IGWRT's Open Link Monday & Sepia Saturday #190 "Sweet Reward"

My grandmother titled this photo "Eating Stolen Pie"

Sweet Reward
by Margaret Bednar, August 12, 2013

Bertha was fair
yet often unnoticed,
'til the day she perfected
her sweet apple pie
for a summer picnic.

As college lore goes,
upon sorority steps
young men swooned,
even acted silly,
eager to prove
steadfast devotion
as they competed
for morsels and
fair Bertha's hand

who had become
quite selective,
leaving many a man
downhearted;
but not for long,
as word had spread
to many a feminine ear
and consolation became
its own sweet reward.

My Grandmother titled this one "Mr. Popularity"
For my poem I've entitled it "Sweet Consolation"

This is linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toads "Open Link Monday" and

Sepia Saturday #190. Theme photo is available by clicking over ... and it has to do with summer and picnics. This is an amazingly interesting and talented group of people who share historical photographs.  Click on over and enjoy!

My grandmother, Marguerite Hutchins (Beckington) from what I can tell, attended Northern Illinois State Normal School from 1909-1912 earning a teaching degree.  The original campus was one building known as "the castle on the hill" (CLICK HERE) and opened its doors September of 1898.  In 1957 it became Northern Illinois University - its education beyond teacher education... now expanded to business, fine and applied arts, and liberal arts and sciences.  

32 comments:

ed pilolla said...

i'm a member of many reject clubs myself:) must be some sweet apple pie! fun write.

Anonymous said...

Margaret, the pictures are brill! I used to do Sepia Sunday, but am too busy with Toads now...

Your fanciful portrait of the Pie Girl and what looks like her young family, sounds like it all turned out fine! Nicely crafted and framed, Margaret! Amy

Margaret said...

... the consolation is the many other young women who were willing to comfort a "needy" man - hoping one might look her way instead :)

The young ladies in the photo are college friends of my grandmother - I think this image is from around 1914.



kaykuala said...

Competition for a pretty lass is obviously stiff. It's a winner take all episode! Apparently it has been the same through the ages. Great pics and wonderful write, Marge!

Hank

Rosie said...

Enlightening post,enjoyed the poem and photos.

Karen said...

I really like this look at simpler (or so they seemed) times., when pie-baking was what it took...

Mr. Charleston said...

Geez, it really was a castle on the hill. I guess it still is. Would love to have some of grammas' apple pie. I'll bet you make a pretty fine one yourself.

Little Nell said...

Ah, the lure of home-baked apple pie! Nice to have you back with us again Margaret, and with two great pictures as well. I hope you'll call again soon. and bring your poetry with you too.

TexWisGirl said...

really cute.

Kerry O'Connor said...

What a wonderful source of inspiration for this unique poetic tale.

Susan said...

I wonder if your grandmother was one at the top or one of the worthy young ladies who consoled and thereby gained a life? Fun poem.

Margaret said...

Susan... she would have been one that enjoyed watching the antics, I think. She wasn't very flirtatious, always very proper, but I remember when she did laugh, it was very sweet and a joyous think to observe. I also don't remember her being much of a baker (perhaps she was when my mother was growing up - I'll have to ask. She did make the BEST scrambled eggs, though.

Brian Miller said...

already read your OLN poem, so...smiles...so is this a true story...one perhaps that she told you? ha. all over a little bit of pie eh? smiles.

Maude Lynn said...

This is delightful!

Margaret said...

Brian. I completely made this up :)

Susie Clevenger said...

Love it...how wonderful to have your family photos for inspiration

Ella said...

I love, love sepia photos and the magic they can reveal! Sweet ;D

Ruth said...

Thanks so much for the link on your sidebar, Margaret, and for such kind things you said. Don, who now follows you on Instagram said, "Who is Margaret? She takes amazing photos." :)

Laura said...

a beautiful tribute. Lovely photos too!

Frank Watson said...

I like the way you told the story in this poem.

look but don’t touch—
a black-and-gold butterfly
fluttered about

By the way, I think the email address I have for you is bouncing--would you mind sending me an updated one?

Hannah said...

Your verse is endearing and pairs with these sweet black and white images so well! A joy, thank you, Margaret!

Alan Burnett said...

If that second photo was a picnic, it looks like a mighty cold one.

Brett Payne said...

I like the two ladies dancing on the verandah, in the background of that first photo. Who gives a hoot about stolen pie, when there's music to dance to? Great contribution to Sepia Saturday - thanks for sharing it - and I look forward to more.

Margaret said...

Alan - My grandmother had actually labled these the October picnic... I have a few photos of them with hot dogs on sticks in an outdoor fire (saving that for another time)

Brett - YES! I noticed that two but I couldn't figure out how to write that into the poem. Looks like fun was being had by all!

The Silver Fox said...

Very entertaining!

Unknown said...

That first shot is REALLY funny -- the women dancing in the background, the men sharing pie like wedding cake...makes me wish I'd been there!

Postcardy said...

Sweet!

Bob Scotney said...

Apple pie - now I could go for that. Two beautiful photos; great poem to reinforce that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

Joan said...

Now this was a three for one fare; poetry and pics (oops, perhaps that's two, not one); link to Toads; & the Castle on the Hill. I'll be looking forward to more.

Sharon said...

Wonderful photos. The first photo is so much fun. A very happy and lighthearted photo.

21 Wits said...

What could be more fun? Absolutely treasure trove of photos! Happy is as happy eats!!!

Jenny said...

What a wonderful combination of poetry and photograpy. Images from the soul. xo Jenny