Anita Mae Draper - Writing/Author Blog

Early Photographs of Lifesavers

6/5/2019

SS Nord Shipwreck Victims, 1913, Public Domain courtesy of UofW Freshwater and Marine Image Bank

Following my posts on sea bathing and the beginnings of life saving societies and swimming lessons, I'm over at Heroes, Heroines and History posting images of the fashion changes in the world of lifesavers, or the people we know today as life guards.

In this instance, fashion changed to allow freedom of movement for limbs while running and swimming without the hassle of heavy clothing dragging the rescuer down underwater and putting his/her own life in danger.

So my post, Early Life Saver Fashion Part 1, shows the male lifesavers since they posed for photos first, and my next post, on July 5th,will show the women.

Mary Wheatland, Victorian Life Saver

5/5/2019

The Illustrated London News, Volume 75, 1879

Today on Heroes, Heroines, and History, I tell the inspiring true story of a humble Victorian woman, Mary Wheatland, who started working as a bathing machine attendant at the age of 14 and used her love of swimming and diving to rescue over 30 people in my post, The Life Saver of Bognor Beach.

Paris Cathedral Fire

4/17/2019

Notre Dame Cathedral Fire video capture by Crystal Draper, Apr 2019

What is the chance that you're in Paris on a Seine River boat cruise and you pass by Notre Dame Cathedral as it burns? It happened to my daughter, Crystal, and you can read about it on my post, Notre Dame Cathedral Fire at www.inkwellinspirations.com

Beach Machines Part 2

4/5/2019

Bathing Costumes from Marshall & Snelgrove, Oxford, Lady's World, 1 August 1887. Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

I'm having fun with my beach machine research and found a lot of information and images to share with you for Rise of the Beach Machines Part 2. So, stop by www.history.com and see the fashion and trends for yourself.

Beach Machines Part 1

3/5/2019

Mermaids at Brighton, 1829. Digital Public Library of America, Public Domain

What is a beach machine? That's what I wondered when I worked on a recent post about a seaside bandstand and found several photographs and postcards about these cute little houses on wheels. I dove into the research which led me to structures as you see above that were used in the past few centuries to allow people - royals and commoners - to bathe in privacy.

Join me at Heroes, Heroines and History as I venture into the adventurous world I've entitled, Rise of the Bathing Machines Part 1.

Snowshoes on Horses

2/5/2019

Woodcut from Historia Delle Genti, by Olaus Magnus, 1565 edition. Library of Congress

I'm over at Heroes, Heroines and History talking about horses wearing snowshoes, and if you think the woodcut above is just a novelty, come over and see the rest of the photos I found to show it was more common than you might think.

I also found several newspaper clippings that mention horses wearing snowshoes and although I've only included the links on the HHH blog, here's one for you to read in case you can't get to the links.

Idaho County free press. (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) January 02, 1902

If you enjoy this post, please let me know as it inspires me to search out more historical treasures.

Horse-Drawn Sleigh Video

1/16/2019

Still image from 1898 Sleighing Video. Source: LOC Prints & Photographs

I'm over at Inkwell Inspirations today with an 1898 video by the Edison Film Company that shows sleighing in Central Park. It's silent, but lots of horse-drawn sleighs in action. You can check it out at Inkwell Inspirations.

Ice Slides Go Way Back

1/5/2019

Russian Ice Slides 16th Century. Public Domain

I love research and my post, From Ice Slide to Roller Coaster, over at the Heroes, Heroines and History blog, is full of interesting images of what turns out to be the beginnings of roller coasters.

And if thrill rides aren't your thing, drop in and see what luxury awaited the pleasure-seekers of Catherine the Great's court after a day on the slides.

Hope to see you there.

Treasured Christmas Memories

12/19/2018

I'm over at Inkwell Inspirations with a post, All I Want For Christmas is Spending Time With You.

In these times where generations of a family are spread across the miles, it's more important than ever to put a value on the time you spend together instead of the value of a gift you send.

Whether it's a physical across-the-table conversation, a phone call, or a video call like Skype or FaceTime, spend some time with loved ones because those are the memories you'll both treasure most of all.

Merry Christmas from my house to yours. I hope we get to meet some day.

Anita.

Christmas Decorated Bandstands

12/5/2018

Hastings Park Bandstand, Lexington MA. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

I'm ending my series on Historic Bandstands with Christmas lights, greenery and wintery snow over on the Heroes, Heroines and History blog.

I've enjoyed the research that went into this series, although it was frustrating when I found wonderful images but couldn't post them due to copyright. Yes, the bane and protection for every author.

I've especially liked discovering that many historic bandstands are still in use for concerts throughout the summer, and for Christmas festivals at this time of year.

So come over and visit me at HHH for Snow Bandstand Gazebos . Yes, that's actually the title. A bit mouthy, but it covers the images I've chosen for this final Bandstand post.