More from the trove of old pictures that didn't make it into my grandparents' albums. This first one, probably from the Twenties, puzzled and then startled me. The bulky fella on the left is identified as a Mr. Anderson, next to him, looking demure, is my grandmother, and on the far right is surely my grandfather. But who is the long-legged armful stretched across his lap? Mrs. Anderson? I know that my grandparents had friends named Anderson--but just how friendly were they? I know things loosened up a good deal in the Roaring Twenties but my grandparents?
Finally, I realized--that babe is my mother, probably in her mid-teens. Mrs. Anderson was likely behind the camera.
I zoomed in on my grandfather. When I knew him, he was mostly bald with a fringe of grey/white hair and a tidy little mustache. A distinguished gent. But back in the day, he was pretty darn good-looking.
When I showed this closeup to Josie, I asked if she knew who it was and she immediately said, "My daddy." Yep, there's a very strong resemblance.
Fast forward to the Thirties and my mother and a group of friends--probably at Indian Rocks, the favorite beach of Tampa folk. I love the beach house and actually remember visiting either it or one like it. Alas, all replaced by high rises now.
