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Saturday, January 2, 2016

Reverie


This morning I set myself the mind boggling task of filling in the 2016 township calendar on the website. Before I started on the calendar, I put up a picture of the road super, retired after thirty three years. I found the perfect picture, don’t you think. 

Trustee and zoning meetings on the calendar are fairly straightforward, but when I get to brush and leaf pick-up, I boggle, my mind and my eyes wander. I looked up at a picture that has been on my wall for twenty years. Everything in this house is old, me not the least among the detritus.



I love that picture, Stalking the Wild Yarn. My friend Nina presented it to me one winter, the seasons I set up shop in her antique gallery and waited for the spring to arrive.  Below that, exhibitor buttons I accumulated over the years at the big fall show in Louisville, St. James Court Art Show.

I loved that show, and never did it alone. I always took Ann or Beth, or both, who did more than help set up, tear down and sell. Both of them could keep the map of Louisville in their head and knew how to get to the restaurant and the motel, even if we were lost.



Did you wonder about the ostrich head? The speech bubble says “They’re how much?” Linda came across that, an ad for a long forgotten product. She presented it to me shortly after we both exhibited at the Letchworth Park fall show. It’s actually a fall color weekend event; the exhibitors are an afterthought; the sort of show where artists stand outside their booths and declare to the sky “God strike me dead if I ever do this show again.”

I was behind my booth on a smoke break and walked back to the front past one of the millions examining the jacket from hell and saying to the world, “They’re how much!?” “They're obviously made of solid gold, you fool,” I said on my way by. From the other side of the sidewalk Linda’s husband Dick looked up from their booth, crossed, patted my back and said “Take a break, Joanne.” So I went and looked at leaves for fifteen minutes.

The postcard came from Laura, in the mail, more than ten years ago. The front door picture—Nina, again. She set herself the project of photographing every front door in Boston. They are famous in the community, and displayed at most events. That’s Angus, the best Cairn terrier who ever lived, looking out the front door. The only Boston door with a dog, Nina said.

You all know Toby, the spoiled cat. Good lord, how much stuff can I accumulate? Back to the cat and the yarn and suddenly I saw the dust. All of it. I dusted down the wall and went back to work.


41 comments:

  1. I love that stalking the wild yarn too Joanne.

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  2. Happy New Year!
    Aloha from Hawaii.

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  3. I really enjoy seeing other people's personal spaces and the accumulated "stuff" that makes it all so personal. I like the "Dear Granmma" note that is up. Is the Letchworth Park show at the New York State Park of the same name?

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    1. Yes, Letchworth State Park, Columbus Day weekend. It has degenerated from when I started, in the last century, and has become a stuff on a stick show.

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  4. It's a good space. I wouldn't change a thing.

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  5. My "wall" came down when I retired, it's in a couple of boxes in my home office. Love the note from Laura

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  6. That's a nice little collection of memories you have there.

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  7. Well, yes because everyone knows hand crafted means it should sell for a song. If it was worth anything it would be at Walmart. I also love it when people go to restaurants and expect 5 star food for fast food prices. And don't get me started on the flowers and veggies at the Eastern Market, they want local for Mexico prices. Okay, done with the rant. Happy New Year.

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  8. Once I was at my booth and an older couple came by. The man looked over my wares (pysanky eggs at that point, for $5) and announced, "I could make these way cheaper. It's just an egg shell. I could do this myself!" At that point, I didn't have any daggers left in my eyes, so I just sighed. That's when his wife declared, "Well, you WON'T make them, so hush." And she bought one!

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  9. Remember dismantling my MIL's wall collections. Sweet memories and a huge collection of dust. 😩 I should not talk, since my walls are as dusty as a desert road. I also enjoyed the great photos on the website with your retiring super's photo. What a great community! And I am sure he will be missed. Linda@Wetcreek Blog

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  10. The good thing about doing this kind of thing (or trying to) is the happy memories it generates. When I do it I usually end up putting it all back anyway. Happy new year to you all.

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  11. You did find a most excellent picture. Among many. I loved trawling through that site.
    And am a bit misty after reading about Angus and his friend(s).

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    1. I did it to myself, too, when I looked back for an Angus bit.

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  12. Good grief! When did the superintendent begin working - at the age of 9?
    Enjoyed the trip across your wall; everyone needs something like that where they work.

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    1. He started right from high school, and is in his very early fifties. He said he was quitting while he still has a good body. I expect his next venture will be to ride his bicycle cross country.

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  13. Every time I move I get rid of more and yet I still have more to get rid of, it seems there is no end to it all.

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  14. Who needs spring cleaning? You do it at the start of the year.

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  15. It's a life collection, we all have them, I have a cupboard with glass doors that where I keep mine, all the bits have stories behind them.
    Merle...............

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  16. Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog, I am hoping to stitch and sew again this year.. I too am an 'oldie' and have some dust some days in my house! LOL
    I thought all the photos were good and yes 'his' was just right!

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  17. Its neat all the things you have there in your space; lots of good memories with them I think. I looked at the picture of the person retiring; I'm thinking that picture was taken in his younger days? He looked too young in that picture to be retiring after 33 years.

    betty

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  18. That photo I clicked on sure looked like one young fellow... and retired! Wow! But, back to the subject... love your bulletin board... especially that note from Laura... yes, you are truly loved... and as time will tell... very much appreciated. Dawg... I almost hate this time of year... too many heart-wrenchers that bring me to tears. Happy New Year, my friend.

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  19. Our life on a board, great collection. I do love the ostrich.

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  20. I clicked the link and had a look at all the Boston Township photos, love the little ones in the oversized T-shirts and of course they all had to jump in the puddle, that's what puddles are for.
    I like your notice board.

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  21. A little physical activity clears the cobwebs (or dust) in more ways than one, eh? Filling in the township calendar sounds like something that should entail more than one break to get it done. All the best for the new year, Joanne!

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  22. A collection of memories are good too keep around to remind us of the blessings of people and events that have colored our lives. I have something similar in my kitchen.

    The job of road supervisor must be without too much stress. That man looked really too young to retire

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  23. It is a sure sign of New Years when we not only look behind but look forward. I commend you for the life you have provided your grandchildren and the work ethic that you have shown them. Enjoy 2016. -- barbara

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  24. So interesting, Joanne, to have a look at other people's pinboard, or bookcase.

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  25. Hari OM
    ..Marty beat me to it with the 'when was he born?!' query!!! Great shots of your town Joanne. I too got misty about Angus and remembered my "J's" along with... May 2016 add many fond memories. YAM xx

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  26. dust. you had to mention dust. I have spent many years cultivating a blind eye to the dust in my house. eventually though things do get dusted. loved the peek into your keepsakes.

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  27. Joanne,I read your blog for a long time but i never comment because i don't trust my English, but after reading your comment at John's and seeing Laura's card i want to tell you that you don't have to worry, with all the love and the good education and the solid ground that you give the girls now they will be ok.

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    1. Thank you, Yael. We have an expression, "playing the hand your're dealt," and sometimes I think that's all they can do; figure out how to stand up to their parents and siblings as well as put up with an old grandma.
      You stay safe; I think about you.

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  28. What you have is a wonderful collection of memories.

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  29. It is always interesting to hear the stories behind what other people have on their walls! I like to look round my stuff too...

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  30. It is always interesting to hear the stories behind what other people have on their walls! I like to look round my stuff too...

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  31. I just loved this post. I clicked on the link to see the picture of the road super and was enchanted with all of the other pictures too! That road super looks too young to retire!! And I howled with laughter at the ostrich and the story that accompanied it! Happy New Year Joanne!!

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  32. I adore the explanations of artifacts that populate a "common" spot in a person's life. This was GRAND.

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  33. And just when I had resolved to clean out my house. It's always hard to let go of memory makers and I enjoyed yours. But I've got way too many.

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