Bud Grossmann’s Words of the Week for the Week of April 7, 2019 Previously unpublished family history. © 2019 by Bud Grossmann. All Rights Reserved.   Peace, Peas, Meat, and Potatoes (1979) © 1979, 2019 by Bud Grossmann PEACE, PEAS April 6, 2019 Dear —,       Thank you so much for your recent letter. Always good to hear from you.       I regret to report that the photograph you inquired about seems to be the most frequently requested photo of the eighteen in the exhibit in which it appeared. The reason I characterize this circumstance as “regrettable” is that I am not at liberty to profit from that particular picture.       Nearly forty years ago, when, on a summer Sunday’s visit to the farm, I sat down to the noon meal with Gram and Gramp and saw them strike that pose, I hollered, “One second, please!,” stepped up onto my chair seat, snapped my photo, and sat down again. Grampa then said the blessing over the meal, probably in English, because I would have been reviewing the eventual Kodachrome in my mind in that moment and would not have thought to request German or Norwegian.       After the meal, after the dessert, still at the table, I brought a pen and a model release out of my camera bag and asked Gramma and Grampa if they would be so kind as to sign. Neither said anything for a moment, but then Gramma told me, “Whatever Grandpa says, that’s all right with me.”       Grampa puffed on his pipe and looked out the big window toward the barn and north pasture. Then he turned to me and slowly said, “Well. Ma and me, we don’t pray ... for advertising.”       I tried to get the old man to see my request in some other way but I did not succeed. Therefore, dear —, while I feel I have Gram and Gramp’s reluctant permission to share with the world any other picture I have taken of them, I do not sell the picture of them at prayer. I have, however, given prints of “Peace, Peas” to family members to enjoy in their homes or glove factories, and I will be pleased to provide you with the four copies you requested. I seldom annotate a photo quite so extensively as this one, but I wanted you to understand the restrictions that I will specify when I mail you the prints.       All good wishes to you and your family.                                     Love,                                     Buddy         ARCHIVES         Click for a list of other Words of the Week I would welcome your thoughts on this page (or any of my others).  Write to me at the following address.  Please be sure to spell Grossmann with two n’s and mention what page you are writing about. Thanks!  BUD GROSSMANN Top of this page | HOME | Fine Photography | Picture of the Day | Writings | | Words of the Week | Mom & Pop Prop. Mgt. | FAQ |

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