Late last year, I posted a series of vintage postcards featuring a couple pursuing romance or courtship in a variety of outdoor locations.
Each scene of wooing was accompanied by a rhyming ditty about love.
Visions of Romance circa 1910 – Cute or Corny?
More Visions of Romance circa 1910 - Sweet or Sappy?
"There's No Other Place To Woo": Love in a Hammock circa 1910
Readers made many amusing comments on the interchangeable poses, clothes, and hairstyles of the romantic couple.
I had no way of knowing how many pictures comprised this series; I had seven pictures - one was too faded for posting.
At an antrique shop in Virginia, I came across another scene from the same series.
Thus, we can enjoy witnessing the further adventures in love of our riveting couple.
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What's the use to look so vexed
When I'm trying to get next?
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The wretched verse is reason enough to reject this suitor, but there may be other reasons why he is so objectionable.
Did the boarding house lack a bathtub?
Is he wearing white after Labor Day?
Is he just too small or insubstantial for the zaftig beauty in the hammock?
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Comments: 30
I don't find his size an issue (my husband is shorter and slimmer than I), but inanity, that kills romance faster than anything.
There was a time when pleasingly plump was the norm... we are just zaftig, Stephanie! :-)
Less than vexed, she looks somewhat delirious - possibly from having to wear that hideous velvet dirndl in August. All of that clothing was probably the birth-control method of the era.
Hey, you try rhyming something with Next!
Delightful series, Peter.
What's the use to look so woed
When I am trying to get blowed?
When I'm trying to get laid"
I like your idea of composing alternative verses, Kenn.
It wasn't my idea to try a rhyme for "vexed"!
Your interpretation is much more fun.
1) the note contains that wretched 'verse' and he's standing there waiting for her to praise his efforts
2) the note says, "I am going to visit" but was hand-delivered, thus while he properly announced his intentions he did not in fact leave her time to escape his company
3) the note is actually a summons
"...the note contains that wretched 'verse' and he's standing there waiting for her to praise his efforts."
Gertrude and Gilbert has a nice sound, I think.
Gilbert was shameless in his perstering of Gertrude.
Perhaps the problem is she just doesn't want to share a hammock that already seems to be in some trouble.
If I recall correctly, Dannielle, you were one of the snarky commenters who pointed out how many aspects of her dress, hair, and manner were not in harmony!
:-)
A relevant observation, Kris.
I recall that this young lady, in other postcard scenes, had some awkwardness in shifting her position gracefully.
Why can't you ever find a good fiddler when you need one?
She can fend him off with that umbrella...
I love the fact that you are optimisitc about these young lovers - however damp they might be.