Life Before TV and Radio

    By Halem Kotb

    Life Before TV and Radio cover image

    23 Apr, 2024

    a man in a suit and top hat standing in front of a fruit stand in a city street market, harlem renaissance, a character portrait, Derold Page, promotional image

    John, a local merchant, was busy overseeing his stall at the marketplace. His days were filled with haggling, trading, and ensuring his business thrived.

    a man in a suit and hat is walking down a street with a bag of fruit in front of a store, harlem renaissance, a detailed matte painting, Derold Page, cinematic photography

    After a long day, John would return home for a family dinner, followed by a game of chess with his wife or reading a book to his children.

    a woman in a green apron is smiling at the camera while working on a sewing machine in a room with a window, arts and crafts movement, a cross stitch, Anne Said, promotional image

    Meanwhile, Mary, John's wife, was in charge of the household. Aside from cooking and cleaning, she would sew clothes, tend to their garden, and homeschool their children.

    a man and woman in a suit and hat playing a piano in a living room with a piano in front of them, harlem renaissance, a colorized photo, Carrie Mae Weems, promotional image

    In the evenings, John and Mary would spend quality time together, often reading, discussing their day, or playing music. Mary played the piano while John sang.

    a man and woman dressed in formal wear walking through a courtyard at night with string lights strung across the buildings, arts and crafts movement, a stock photo, David Annand, promotional image

    On weekends, people would gather in the village square for various events. These included fairs, dances, and plays performed by local artists.

    a man and woman walking down a street holding hands and smiling at each other with a crowd of people in the background, harlem renaissance, a colorized photo, Bourgeois, promotional image

    John and Mary, like many others, would participate in these communal activities, enjoying the company of their neighbours and the sense of community.

    a man in a suit and hat standing in a bar with a cane and a cane in his hand, arts and crafts movement, a character portrait, Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, steampunk

    The men often gathered at the local pub after work to unwind. They played card games, shared stories, and debated over a pint of ale.

    a woman in a brown apron standing in front of a restaurant with a brick sidewalk and tables in front of it, arts and crafts movement, a character portrait, Christen Dalsgaard, promotional image

    The women, on the other hand, often hosted tea parties or sewing circles. They exchanged recipes, gossiped, and shared household tips.

    a man and woman walking with a child in a park with a boat in the background and a man in a top hat and a suit and tie, german romanticism, a detailed matte painting, Carel Willink, promotional image

    On sunny days, families often visited the park. Parents watched their children play, while others enjoyed picnics or strolled along the lake.

    a painting of a man and woman in a park with children in the background and a man holding a bowl of food, harlem renaissance, a detailed painting, F Scott Hess, highly detailed digital painting

    These simple pleasures of life shaped their days and filled them with joy. It was a time when people truly cherished the company of each other.

    a man and woman dressed in period clothing walking down a cobblestone street at night with full moon in the sky, arts and crafts movement, a detailed matte painting, David Martin, award - winning photography

    As night fell, families retreated to their homes. They would gather around the fireplace, sharing stories or reading aloud, creating memories.

    a painting of a man and woman in a victorian era dress and top hat walking down a cobblestone street, magic realism, a detailed matte painting, Brad Kunkle, kinkade

    Life before TV and radio had its own charm, where time was spent with loved ones, and every moment was savored. This was their everyday reality, rich with experiences and interactions.