Ruth A. Symes

Ruth A. Symes

Published: PastForward, March and April 2000

Excerpt begins

A couple of years ago, I came across a black and white photograph¹ in a cupboard at home.

It was taken in 1928 but shows a lady already very old by that time. My great-great grandmother Lydia Fletcher, aged approximately 83, sits astride her grandson’s motorbike² in an unexceptional back yard, dressed in traditional Lancashire clogs³ and apron.

Lydia’s grandson, Freddie, known as “the Fearless Fly” by the family, sits in front of her, dressed in black leathers and poised as if to rev the engine and be off. In the background, Lydia’s daughter, Mary, my great-grandmother stands in front of the privy, her arms folded, smiling at these strange riders.

It is an odd juxtaposition⁴, this aged woman confidently straddling⁵ this new-fangled machine.

Excerpt ends

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~~Dictionary~~
1 photograph
Definitions

1. a picture or likeness obtained by photography

Pronounciation: ˈfō-tə-ˌgraf
Function: noun
Date: 1839
2 motorbike
Definitions

1. a small usually lightweight motorcycle

Pronounciation: ˈmō-tər-ˌbīk
Function: noun
Date: 1903
3 clogs
Definitions

1. a weight attached especially to an animal to hinder motion
2. something that shackles or impedes :�encumbrance 1
3. a shoe, sandal, or overshoe having a thick typically wooden sole

Pronounciation: ˈkl�g, ˈklȯg
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
Etymology: Middle English clogge short thick piece of wood

4 juxtaposition
Definitions

1. the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side
2. the state of being so placed

Pronounciation: ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzi-shən
Function: noun
Date: 1654
Etymology: Latin juxta near + English position — more at joust

5 straddling
Definitions

1. to stand, sit, or walk with the legs wide apart; especially :�to sit astride
2. to spread out irregularly :�sprawl
3. to favor or seem to favor two apparently opposite sides
4. to execute a commodities market spreadtransitive verb
5. to stand, sit, or be astride of <straddle a horse> <campsites straddling the river>
6. to be noncommittal in regard to <straddle an issue>

Pronounciation: ˈstra-d^əl
Function: verb
Date: 1565
Etymology: irregular from stride