Gertrude Lorimer's Commonplace Book

I have always admired the beautiful words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I hope that my own words will someday impact someone’s life the way hers have mine. When I was struggling and thought I would never find happiness, this poem reminded me that this type of love is real and a possibility for me.  I’ve always wanted to love and be loved but thought, who would ever choose me, plain, ole Gerty? I expected Phyllis and Lucy to get married and move away, leaving Fanny and I unmarried and alone but to my surprise, Lord Watergate came into my life. I hadn't…

This page is the highlight of all my years of writing, my dream come true. I will never forget that cool, March morning when Mr. Jermyn came to visit. This was nothing out of the ordinary, he would always bring proofs and we would read the slips of the stories he illustrated and decide what was best for his illustration. However, this time was different. This time it was a copy of The Woodcut, damp from the press. I studied the illustration carefully, four people on a lawn tennis court. On the other side was a poem, the verses were signed “G.…

This is one of the first prints I created after the opening of the G. & L. Lorimer Photography Studio. Out of all the prints we have made over the span of our business, this has to be one of my favorites. Although my photography skills have significantly improved since, I have always loved this simplicity and grace of this photo. It’s effortless grace and beauty reminds me of sweet Phyllis. Oh, to have her looks. This print brings back so many memories, both good and bad. I will never forget that day in our studio at home after the death of our feather,…