Blog title taken from lyrics of Joni Mitchell's song "River"; Sarah McLachlan did a beautiful version.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
I Wish I Had a River I Could Skate Away On
One of my favourite winter activities is definitely ice skating. One of the benefits of growing up in the cold snowy north was the fact that I actually learned to skate on outdoor frozen ice! Nothing beats that feeling of graceful freedom I get from gliding across a glistening frozen rink. Since moving from a more temperate part of Canada, where outdoor ice skating was a scarce luxury, I am looking forward to the idea of skating on the local river when it gets a bit colder here. In the mean-time, I thought I'd post these adorable images of "Ice Skating Fashions" from LIFE, circa 1939.
Lovely!! I think it would be fun to sew up an ice skating pattern from this time period! But brrrrrr....it does look a bit cold!
ReplyDeleteoh, the outfits! Only been skating once, but I would love to go more often if I had those clothes....Very fun and nifty, tups x
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I'm generally not a huge Joni Mitchell fan, but I absolutely love that song! It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove these photos! I need to dig out my ice skates. It's been years. I also have fond memories of learning to skate on an outdoor rink. Did you play "Crack the Whip"?
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing me to this beautiful song - I think I like Joni Mitchell's version best.
Hey, also wanted let you know that I have 100-follower Giveaway going on until Dec. 21. Two winners!
I love ice skating too! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is Joni's best song (otherwise, I'm not an avid fan or anything). Debi: I agree it would be so fun to make one of these ensembles...but I also agree that they seem a bit skimpy! I'd opt for a longer one, likely made of a warm knitted material!!
ReplyDeleteSarsaparilla: YES, I have fond memories of the fun of "Crack the Whip," among other fun games! SO much fun!
I can't believe the skated with bare legs like that! But of course I grew up hiking through fields out to a farm pond in the snow...skating was *not* a genteel sport in my childhood! It was more like Jane Siberry's "Hockey" song!
ReplyDeleteOh, and Emily Saliers does a version of Joni's song that's pretty sweet, too.
i am planning much ice skating this winter, and well, it *might* just be so i can wear piles of skirts and a pretty 1940s princess coat...
ReplyDeleteWhat a fab selection of pics! Bet those bare legs were cold!
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