Ponga

Sometimes these photos are a gift of discovery. I think that's what makes #mysteryphotos so much fun. What do you know and what can you find out? Obviously here we have hunters ready for their adventure with their trusty retriever. The car in the background could be the same one we saw in the photo featured back in August (instagram.com/p/CDWWkg_luge/, for those of you playing along at home.) That one had Quebec plates as one of you pointed out. ... We've seen this couple now in several leisure shots likely all in Quebec. How did this collection end up in a thrift shop in Portland? That, to me, is the real mystery. #foundphotos is certainly a Thing. By their inherent disconnection from context, they're like the perfect canvas for fiction. Do you get into them too? Ponga just might be a writers' room for you then. Link in bio. #telltheirstories #cousinsphere #familyhistorystory #photomystery #storiestotell #stillswithstories #pongathestory See more

Sometimes these old pictures are just a gift of fun. This particular one was from around the 70s I think, though a little quick research suggests that this was from a visit to the Italian Swiss Colony vineyard in Asti, California (Sonoma County) sometime before 1988 when Beringer acquired the property. It's always fun when you can find advertising history in pictures, this one references an ad campaign from the 1960s that featured the catchphrase was That little old wine...maker, me! The voice of Little Old Winemaker was dubbed by Jim Backus who played Mr. Howell on Gilligan's Island and was the voice of Mr. Magoo! https://youtu.be/DX3Fe7p9mxc or even https://youtu.be/HzVXJPinUjs (in color!) Can't get enough? Add that jingle to your Ponga picture with just a paste. It embeds right into the picture and totally changes the context for the story, no? Oh, and look the 60s silliness has a true lineage into today's extraordinary wines of Sonoma valley with @bricoleurvineyards. Bravo for sharing your family history with us. #telltheirstories #cousinsphere #familyhistorystory #photomystery #portraitsofchildhood #storiestotell #stillswithstories #pongathestory See more

This week we've focused on our pets and how our connection to them seems to spark stories in ways that the fact-based appeal cannot. We've pulled a few pictures from our own collection with beloved dogs and their sidekicks. (Note those fashionable Mary Jane shoes from the Buster Brown comics. Wow-what a franchise!) I'm kind of liking the idea of a timeline of family pets. Now I just wish we had more pictures. How about you? Why was it OUR family had so many more dogs ...than cats? Times were different then, I suppose... #portraitsofchildhood #storiestotell #stillswithstories #pongathestory

For many families, it's a connection to our pets that unleashes stories. Looking back, I'd someday love to build a timeline of family pets... oh, wait, that's not all that hard to do. Timelines are tremendous resources in capturing context that can then be associated with an image. It can also be a wonderful trigger for conversations with elder family members who may have trouble connecting to the details. You use history timelines too, don't you? What tools do you fi...nd to be most helpful? Is sharing important? #portraitsofchildhood #storiestotell #stillswithstories #pongathestory See more

Okay, I'll admit it. We've got good stuff coming. Everything has been upside down. We don't want our unmasked children mingling up-close with even well-meaning strangers. As each of you dig deep for creative solutions to social distancing, you have to admire the kids and their creativity. They take it all in stride.... Good times. Stay safe out there #ephemera #vintagesnapshot #cousinsphere #pongathestory