![[dan-truett-mcwhorter.jpg]](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_473nrD5vEv8/S5hAR2x0JVI/AAAAAAAACVo/caHZJMX-j9o/s400/dan-truett-mcwhorter.jpg)
Welcome to a new week here at OPOD, and we have a great lineup of pictures planned for you. This week the topic is Facial Hair. More specifically, facial hair on men. I find it fascinating how styles of facial hair change over the years, and how men express themselves by choosing a particular style of facial hair . . . sometimes even from a past era. So to kick things off, we present the picture above of Captain James L. Walsh. The picture was taken in 1913, as Walsh was to participate in the Woodrow Wilson Inauguration Parade. Personally, I think his overall look with the hat and uniform really works for him, but in particular, I want you to zoom in and look at his mustache. You will notice that he has it ever so slightly turned up on the ends. Not something men really do so much any more.Now of course we know that World War I is right around the corner, and Captain Walsh will doubtlessly be pulled into the war. So, we are going to launch an Internet first here at OPOD; This is going to be the world's first retroactive dating game. World War I is right around the corner, and we need to find a girlfriend for Captain Walsh before he has to go to war. I have selected three bacherlorette candidates, and you have to vote for which one you would like chosen to be his girlfriend.
Bachelorette #1: Ms. Sigrid Holmquist
Recently arrived in the US, Ms. Holmquist is an actress, and is known as the "Swedish Mary Pickford". Young, fun loving, and a sparkling personality, she is sure to keep Captain Walsh entertained. Her good looks, style, and outgoing nature make her the perfect girlfriend for our young Captain.Bachelorette #2: Ms. Enez Thomas
Ms. Thomas is of one of the finest and oldest families in New York City. She was brought up in the best schools, and has impeccable taste and manners. Her father has made sure that she has always had the best of everything. She will surely be able to keep Captain Walsh entertained with opera, symphonies and plays. She is the perfect candidate to kiss the Captain goodbye as he departs for World War I.
Bachelorette #3: Ms. Larneal
Ms. Larneal was brought up under difficult circumstances, but always found a way to try and make things better for other people. She grew up working in soup kitchens and bread lines, trying to take care of those less fortunate. She has dedicated her life to those in need. With the looming outbreak of World War I, she has joined the Navy Medical corps, in case her help is needed in caring for wounded soldiers. Her good heart and dedicated service make her the perfect girlfriend for Captain Walsh.VOTE NOW!
I vote for Ms. Holmquist. What could possibly go wrong there?
ReplyDeleteI choose Ms. Larneal. When Cap'n Walsh comes back without a leg and raving from shell shock, she will be there for him.
ReplyDeletePJM: Great idea for a contest. I have to vote for the lovely Ms. Holmquist. Having spent most of my life in theater, I've always been partial to actresses. They were my main dating resource, so the actress was a natural choice for me.
ReplyDeleteMy vote is for Ms. Thomas, the perfect compliment for Capt. Walsh.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shallow man you are Mr. Nate Maas.
ReplyDeleteSorry, PJM, but, I'm going to have to side with the evil Nate Maas. The moustache shows that he has the leisure to fuss with neat and tidy facial hair as opposed to the so called walrus or handlebar moustaches the masses favored, and participation in the Inaugural Parade hints at his social andor political connections. And, I', not certain about this, but, he appears to be an officer and will probably spend his time in the War Room working on strategy and tactics rather than actually fighting. Ms. Thomas sounds right up his alley.
ReplyDeleteI choose Ms. Larneal. Both my daughters was in the Navy and my daughter-in-law is a nurse. She would be the perfect sweetheart for him.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shallow man you are Mr. Mathan
ReplyDeletePJM
By the way . . . I want a hat like the Captains, and a jacket like his too.
ReplyDeletePJM
I vote for Ms. Larneal.
ReplyDeleteShe is a very good looking lady and should have a good heart. She also would be good for him because of her military back ground and would understand his work in the service.
Well, since I obviously can't have him for myself, my vote goes for Ms. Larneal. Ms. Thomas looks as if she'd be a real snoot, and hard to please, and somehow I doubt Ms. Holmquist will be waiting quietly at home.
ReplyDeleteHow's that for instant character assassination? Oops! I mean *analysis*, not assassination!
Shallow? Let me explain.
ReplyDeleteBachelorette #1 is a recently arrived foreign national. For all we know, she may be a deeply embedded Mata Hari style spy. I cannot be responsible for the deaths of so many of Capt. Walsh's men because critical information made back to the Kaiser via Ms. Holmquist. Besides, she's an actress and I fear for the future stability of their marriage. Once this Delilah charms the critical war information out of Capt. Walsh, she will probably file for divorce and run off with some new beau de jour, if she even has the courtesy to file.
Bachelorette #3 is clearly the one with the most charity, but I am concerned that her zealous devotion to those less fortunate will see her devoted to her mission and not primarily to our dashing Captain. I fear that our gallant lad will view her as a colleague and not a love.
That leaves Bachelorette #2. Yes, she may be sheltered, but I think that the Captain will be able to expand her world. His letters from the front are sure to ground her and will certainly pull her into his sphere. She is the only one of the three that can compliment his station in life, never scandalizing nor embarrassing. I think the two will make a swell couple.
I vote for Ms. Larneal because she's a babe! I know that comment is not PC but it's a fact.
ReplyDeleteMs. Larneal. I don't think the other two could understand dedication to a cause. They would probaby have affairs while he was away, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm voting for number two as well. Remember this is a Victorian man, raised to cherish a woman and place her on a pedastle. She is gently raised to keep the home as a sanctuary for her hardworking man. She has the breeding to command a presence at a State reception but she Lso would never allow too much of the spotlight to linger on her and take it away from the Captain. As a gently bread lady, she gives to and support charities and uses her station to bring attention to the causes of number three, all without compromising her grace and womanliness. Call it shallow by today's standards but these were very real considerations in the 19-teens.
ReplyDeleteI worry Bachelorette #2 is going to be high maintenance. How will he be able to provide the lifestyle she is accostomed to on a Captain's salary. He will never be able to satisfy her expensive tastes.
ReplyDeleteDid I mention I want a hat like the Capatains?
PJM
I love the repartee between PJM and Nate Mass. Fun reading!
ReplyDelete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteI vote for bachelorette #3. The Navy hat was the clincher (also no cigarette, and the second one was awfully flat chested--!!!)--
!!
There are good arguments presented for any of the three. I say let the Captain date them and decide for himself.
ReplyDeleteOf course, a 'pre-arranged [by vote] marriage' could provide the best choice in the final outcome. I wonder how many pre-arranged weddings end up with one or both partners engaging in infidelity.
PJM, while I agree that the Captain sports a fine chapeau and coat, I must disagree that Bachelorette #2 will be unable to function on a Captain's salary. A man with such a moustache is sure to bring honor and promotion to himself and I am certain that he will rise to at least a Lt. Colonel or Colonel. Although he will certainly decline promotion to General as this would mean desk work for sure. Furthermore, his future father-in-law would never allow his daughter to be in want and will use his political connections to ensure that he is amply positioned in the military, as a diplomat, or as a captain of industry. I maintain that #2 is the must reasonable choice.
ReplyDeleteThis is fun! And I love the old pictures! I'm keeping quite a few sellers on Ebay in business buying them up (well when they are cheap enough LOL)!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I vote for Bachelorette #1, Ms. Sigrid Holmquist
Smiles~
Marilyn
I vote for Ms.Larneal. I feel sure
ReplyDeleteCaptain Walsh would find her the most
attractive, and suitable woman for him.
First of all, I MUST say that the Captain was a handsome man. Regarding the mustache, if you enlarge the photo you can see that he has waxed the ends. I don’t know if they even sell mustache wax any more these days!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I don’t believe this is photo is really Captain Walsh. I think that it’s actually a picture of the painter who did my dining room three years ago, and he’s wearing a period costume to make it look like an old photo. I swear to God, it looks EXACTLY like him, especially the eyes. I wonder if they’re related?
Regarding the vote, I have to go with Bachelorette No. 3, Ms. Laurneal.
Bachelorette No. 1 is too egotistical and self-centered (as are all actresses). She would be bored with a guy who was off fighting in the war - she’d cheat on him and break his heart.
Bachelorette No. 2 is obviously spoiled, materialistic, and vain. Just look at her smirk. She’d spend him into bankruptcy and wouldn’t want to be saddled with a guy who was away fighting in a dirty, unglamourous war, either. It would obviously interfere with her dinner and theater party schedule. From looking at her, you can tell that she’d nag him to death and make his life a living hell. She’d probably eventually dump him for some phony “count” or a glamorous high society gigolo who would take all her money and then leave the country.
But . . . Ms. Laurneal is the one with character, principles, courage, and backbone. She’d be the one to give him the support he needs and who would help him through thick and thin. And she appears to have the same values and priorities. In case anyone hasn’t noticed, she’s also the prettiest of the three, not withstanding her severe attire and hairstyle.
Ms. Laurneal is the one!!!
Nate,
ReplyDeleteAll reasonable arguments but have you considered that many men never made it back from World War I. Perhaps what he really needs is a fling.
I do not believe that the good Captain would want his father in law providing for his wife. I think this would lead to trouble in the family.
Did I mention that I want a hat like the captains?
PJM
Yes, you can still buy 'tache wax!
ReplyDeletePJM, the last thing this man or our military needs is for this fine gentleman to have a fling. Judging by the insignia on his collar, it appears as though he belongs to the Army Ordnance Corps and probably gets plenty of vocational excitement. According to military figures, during WWI, only the Spanish Influenza caused more loss of duty than the diseases resulting from flings.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the good Captain would not want his father-in-law providing for his wife. That's why the father-in-law would never tell either his daughter or his son-in-law of all the behind the scenes dealing to insure his success. Although, I think a man with such fine facial hair would be amply recognized for his own merit.
You did mention that you were fond of the Captain's hat. Did I mention that I hold similar admiration?
Nate,
ReplyDeleteYes in fact Captain Walsh was in the ordnance department, and was considered an explosives expert. He did deploy overseas in World War I, and played a role in World War II as well. He died at a relatively young age, I think in 1956.
So we share an admiration for the Colonel's hat. Perhaps we should both purchase a hat, and when we both reach 80 agree to bury the hatchet, and end the fued. In the mean time, the feud contninues, and I feel it will get worse, much worse, before this whole thing is over.
PJM
Alright, but if we're only buying one hat, I get to wear it first!
ReplyDeleteNo, we both buy our own had, and then have our picture taken together when we are 80 . . . like the rebel and union soldier picture from a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeletePJM
Okay, I get to be the Rebel then!
ReplyDeleteNo Nate, I am the rebel. You have to be the Union soldier.
ReplyDeletePJM
Just like a Yank to be unwilling to share a hat and then start dictating terms!
ReplyDeleteOK, the burying the hatchet deal is OFF. The Feud continues.
ReplyDeleteYou had your chance you evil man.
PJM
If I may interrupt for a moment to answer the question (this is a serious matter which will influence his whole life). I pick bachelorette #3 for captain Walsh. He looks like the serious type. So he needs a serious girlfriend with an interest in the military. Also their hats look the same (if that is the basis for a serious long lasting relationship). And she seems to be the only one willing to wax her boyfriends moustache, I guess.
ReplyDeleteWow, great puzzle! And a great look for the Captain, facial hair-wise included.
ReplyDeleteThe 1st evil Nate Maas' contribution, I also thought was shallow. But his explanation was redeeming.
Except, Ms. Princess, Bachelorette #2, would be so high maintenance and snooty, as others have said. She would have made his life miserable. Opera and Society doings? Egads!
Ms. Holmquist looks like she'd have been a lot of fun, and thus a great fling, but that's it. Not a life for the Captain.
Ms. Larneal sounds like she'd make a great wife. And she looks hot.
Rob, I don't know how it is over in Holland, but here there is not only a serious rivalry between North and South, but also between Army and Navy. He's Army and she's Navy - it would never work.
ReplyDeleteThe evil Nate Maas just doesn't get it... old rule: opposites attract.
ReplyDeleteAh, but do I see the tide turning against Nate, and his choice of bachelorette #2. I think I do. Yes, tide is turning against Nate, and so much so, I am changing my vote to Bacherlorette #3. Yes, look at the similar tastes in hats. I believe the Captain was somewhat of a fisherman, and it looks like #3 would hold her own fishing with him.
ReplyDeletePJM
Wow, things are getting heated. I just added a poll in upper left, so we can start really tracking the voting.
ReplyDeletePJM
Oh my, I read the challenge wrong.
ReplyDeleteFor a girlfriend before going to war, definitely Bachelorette #1, Ms. Holmquist.
A very close 2nd, Ms. Thomas. But she still looks snooty.
Joe,
ReplyDeleteBut we must assume it might lead to something . . . we should not assume it would end with a date, and not marriage.
PJM
Then definitely Ms. Larneal.
ReplyDeleteAnd the evil Nate Maas shouldn't get no stinkin' hat.
#1
ReplyDeleteHe needs a "good time" before shipping out. Love can happen after the war.
#2 is my choice. I don't think #1 would be interested in him.
ReplyDeleteFor a fun weekend, Ms. Holmquist, but for a long term relationship, either of the other two. I voted for Ms. Thomas, as she seems to compliment him better.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Ms. Larneal.
ReplyDelete