I’ll keep the writing short today, which is not my strong suit. And I have a lot to say, but not the energy at the moment.
I decided (like obsession is a decision) to knock out the end of this book, and the last chapters are massive and daunting. Earlier today, I finished the second-to-last, and have to gear up for one final gargantuan chapter before I’m finished with this two-year beast of a project. So close. Sorta close.
Between that, work, life, a third leak in a year, and the world blowing up, I’ve been in a bit of an emergency mode, and frankly, I just don’t think it’s going to be possible to write here as regularly as I’m planning until I finish this final chapter.
Anyway, I’ll ruin the book’s conclusion here, as this place is a good sounding board, but the process of writing the book basically led me to the conclusion of how significantly I’m on the spectrum for autism. It all makes sense now, thinking back to all the symptoms and the invisible forces, deep down, I felt that I was fighting, or at least just trying to understand. It’s been fascinating learning about the subject. I’ll share more in a future post.
In the meantime, I will post regularly over the next two months, but with light writing, and I’ll probably mostly share these photographs that I’ve been scanning from my grandmother, Margaret (Peggy) Lombardo.
I’ve been finding and scanning all the best work from her archive at Gowanus Darkroom (lovely place), and that’s been another beast of a project. I knew she was an astounding photographer, but had absolutely no clue as to the scale, and how serious she took photography, until I recently explored the full archive.
I think I have a good 5-6 full scanning days left, if I’m lucky, and then some serious organizing. There’s a lot of history here. It’s a wild experience to go through, along with old letters, a written family history, little books my grandfather and his friends made, and other things.
Some of the photographs in her collection are from my grandfather’s friends during road trips, I believe, but it’s impossible to discern authorship for many of them, and most of these are from my grandmother.
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Just another great piece James
Thanks Chris!
incredible photographs, your grandmother had great skill and a good eye. thank you for sharing them with us.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed!
Hi James! So glad you’ve discovered new things about yourself and are learning more about autism. I am absolutely in love with your grandmother’s photos! So vintage and beautiful! Thank you for sharing part of your life with us!
Thank you Kim, there are so many amazing ones that I can’t wait to share!!
Some of these look very old but others look they could be from the 1950/60’s. I had the same exact bed with the pineapple posts…I was born in 47 but grew up in the 50/60’s. Such a lot of work. I’m not writing a book but I have all the old photos also…and I do write essays occasionally when the spirit moves me…Good luck.
Thanks Cheryl! Yes, I think the photos most typically range from the 30s-60s that I’m showing.
Hi James,
I loved seeing these scanned photos, especially the one of the nursing school graduation. I graduated in nursing in 1968 and it was not exactly the same look, so this must be closer to the turn of the century. But, we still had white uniforms, white shoes, and the white nursing cap. All of that is so gone now! Anyway, thanks for sharing your grandmothers photos, I loved seeing them all. She really was a great photographer. I wish you well on finishing your book and always enjoy your newsletters.
Thanks Ingrid!! My guess is this was probably from the 40-50s?