21.3.15

Family Album

This week, some portraits of little-known ancestors.
Capt. Elver Aloysius Bently, school teacher, Pine Dell Butte ND

Cadwallader Bently, purveyor of fine whiskeys, Horsewhip MT

Emmelina ("Skunk") Bently, goat rancher, Faddle OR

Alistair Quinoa Bently, rustler, Corn Valley MO

Chester Walter Elder Bently, haberdasher, Rockhard AR

Deirdre P. Bently, antiques monger and inventor, Zumwalt MI

Dr. Randolph Bently, alienist, Wildbreath WY

Galbraith Bentle, pharmacist and saloon-keeper, Deadhead CO 

Chattanooga Jane Bently, hoarder, Saint Basmati WV 

Rev. Cornelius Bently, Shaker minister and cardsharp

Zumwalt Bently, livelihood unknown, Nutsville AL

The Woodrow Tallywhacker Bently family, threshers, Zoom KS

Note, these are all photos I took around Washington and Oregon in the last few years. Antiqued with Help from Arcsoft PhotoStudio 5.

14.3.15

Sepia Airedale


Keying into this week's canine-themed Sepia Saturday, we feature my father's Airedale, Mike. Some of these photos have appeared in other posts, but since a good many of the stories we heard about the old homestead in Elm, Michigan, revolved around the exploits of Mike, it seems worthy to let him have his own entry.
Mike's baby picture, with young Nelson in a sailor suit circa 1920.
Mike looks considerably grown up, but Nelson's only aged a few years. Love the belted jacket, looks like he's off to church with sister Margaret.
One of the stories described Mike playing the part of dreaded "Moby Dick, the Sea Dog"while my dad and his sisters would clamber around in the apple tree, which was the Pequod.
Another couple of years and they added another dog. Pluto... I think Margaret's holding a little umbrella or perhaps a doll, but it looks more like a rubber chicken!
Mike is definitely a mature fellow by now. Is that a cookie on a saucer that Margaret is resting on his head?
Is it my imagination or is he wearing shoes?
Here is Mike with another addition to the family, Chingo, the black chow, and the eldest sister, Dorothy,
enjoying a little shade.

Reportedly Nelson recited poetry to Mike in quiet moments.
The whole menagerie, 15 years on...hanging out on The Marmon.