Dolly Shephard

Dolly Shephard, Edwardian parachutist and aerial performer, in her parachuting costume c.1910.  Despite a number of close calls, she survived an eight year career as Britain’s “Queen of the Air”.

The Goddess Wiki tells us -

Dolly Shepherd (1887-1983), born as Elizabeth Shepherd, was a parachutist and fairground entertainer in the Edwardian era.

Dolly Shepherd was born in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, England, as Elizabeth Shepherd. At the age of 16, she got a job as a waitress at the Alexandra Palace in North London so that she could see the composer John Philip Sousa. She overheard two men discussing the loss of a target for an act in which they shot an apple off a girl’s head; she volunteered on the spot.

In 1905 she ascended on a trapeze slung below a hot-air balloon to a height of two to four-thousand feet before descending on a parachute. On one occasion both the balloon and the parachute malfunctioned, and she found herself rising to 15,000 feet. At this height, both the cold and lack of oxygen were threatening to make her lose her grip and fall to her death. Fortunately, the balloon returned to earth before it was too late.   She was not so lucky in 1911 when she ascended with another girl.

The other girl’s parachute would not release, so she had to wrap her arms and legs around Dolly so that they could descend on the one parachute. The descent was of course much too fast, and Dolly was paralysed for several weeks. She nevertheless returned to her act and first flew again at Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

 Dolly later married, (married name Elizabeth Sedgwick), but still managed a flight with the Red Devils display team a few years before she died at the age of 96.

" When the 'Chute Went Up: Adventures of a Pioneer Lady Parachutist" by Dolly Shepherd and Molly Sedgwick (Nov 1996)

Bellows Cameras

 

I came across this photo on a blog and it suggested it was taken around 1900.  Gosh, I thought, surely the bellows cameras weren’t that old.  But apparently they are.  The Goddess Wiki says –

·  Early 1890s: The first folding Kodak cameras were introduced. These were equipped with folding bellows that permitted much greater compactness.

·  1895: The first pocket Kodak camera, the $5 Pocket Kodak, was introduced.  It was of the box form type, slipping easily into an ordinary coat pocket, and producing negatives 1½ x 2 inches.

·  1897: The first folding pocket Kodak camera was introduced,  and was mentioned in the novel ‘Dracula’.  

   1900: The Brownie camera was introduced, creating a new mass market for photography.–

 My Mum used a Brownie...

This (or something very similar) was the first camera I used...

 

Boston

I know worse things happen all over the world all the time and I don’t mention them.  That doesn’t mean I don’t think about them. 

But somehow the cowardliness and meanness of the Boston Marathon attack has really hit home to me. 

Having watched the Exeter Half-Marathon a couple of times and seen so many people running for charity, putting their heart and soul and more than every ounce of muscle power into reaching that finishing line; being cheered on by a crowd which shouted and applauded even though they didn’t know the people; just seeing the effort put in.

The approach to the finish line was such a happy place for all concerned.

 

The thoughts of runners, stewards, helpers and watchers from all over the world are with the injured and the families of the dead in Boston.  Can’t say any more.

Just occasionally

Just occasionally one comes across a work of art that leaves one speechless and has one admiring it for ages.  This piece by Aaron Westerberg had just that effect on me.

 You can see some more of his pictures here.

 Aaron Westerberg is a native Californian whose work hangs in major corporation and museum collections. He has been featured in such publications as 2007’s “Strokes of Genius”, a collection of the best drawings from around the globe; American Art Collector Magazine; The Artist Magazine and Southwest Art Magazine. He is a member of the Oil Painters of America, the Portrait Society of America and The California Art Club.

He also has a book which appears to be self-published.  It seems a shame that someone as talented as he cannot find a publisher.  

I'm still a round (or should that be still around???)

Yes, I’m still around but I’m reading the newspaper, sick, drinking a coffee, tired, doing my postcard blog, watching the grand-prix, getting the catten down from a tree, well, you know, just busy at the moment. 

I got this message from Firefox yesterday.  I think “Duh!” is the only response I can give.

If you fancy a laugh – or something soppy to pass on to a niece, grandchild, friend, etc. – take a look at Julia Turner’s creations.