Pretty close to what mine looks like, except for the chipped paint!
This one is still in the treadle cabinet.
Gratitude #83 - Sweet Biddies!
11 years ago
Thursday, November 19, 2009
1912 Singer
Today I unwrapped an old friend.
A long time ago (30 years give or take a few) I had a friend who was a sewing machine repairman. One day he came by and gave me this ancient Singer. He had serviced it and he assumed me that it worked well. And it did one thing sew straight ahead.
Some of my sculpture has involved some sewing and that old machine worked through art school. People often wondered about the old girl sitting I the corner of my studio.
Well today I got her out (have a book project that I want to do some sewing on). The old gal had been wrapped in plastic so it was clean. I got the serial number to check with the guru’s online.
It turned easily and should work, except that the wiring is totally shot, bare copper in a lot of spots, but that is fixable, and easily so.
She is a 1912 version of the trusty old Model 66. She sews straight ahead, and that is all. But she will sew leather and thick fabrics. My skills are somewhere beginner and beginner and I don’t need anything complex.
It is sorta like an old Brownie camera. Not a lot of complications, not a lot of adjustments and sure not a lot of modernity!
Most likely this lady started out in a treadle cabinet, but was electrified at some later point. That was almost a hundred years ago.
Any way, it was good to find something useful that is older than I am!
A long time ago (30 years give or take a few) I had a friend who was a sewing machine repairman. One day he came by and gave me this ancient Singer. He had serviced it and he assumed me that it worked well. And it did one thing sew straight ahead.
Some of my sculpture has involved some sewing and that old machine worked through art school. People often wondered about the old girl sitting I the corner of my studio.
Well today I got her out (have a book project that I want to do some sewing on). The old gal had been wrapped in plastic so it was clean. I got the serial number to check with the guru’s online.
It turned easily and should work, except that the wiring is totally shot, bare copper in a lot of spots, but that is fixable, and easily so.
She is a 1912 version of the trusty old Model 66. She sews straight ahead, and that is all. But she will sew leather and thick fabrics. My skills are somewhere beginner and beginner and I don’t need anything complex.
It is sorta like an old Brownie camera. Not a lot of complications, not a lot of adjustments and sure not a lot of modernity!
Most likely this lady started out in a treadle cabinet, but was electrified at some later point. That was almost a hundred years ago.
Any way, it was good to find something useful that is older than I am!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
I give up
OK it didn’t work
There are a lot of reasons for me to move my clean studio into the shop building. And, I got it mostly done then it all fell apart.
Every time she came into the studio and saw me in there, she would fuss. Big ugly fuss.
Days ago it was her suggestion that we just as well let it all go. That conversation went away very soon and it was trouble trouble.
Some one who knows nothing about AD said that patents should not be put on behavior medication but instead should have counseling. Hmm. All of that beautiful counseling would be gone about the time the patient got to the door
So, this afternoon, I moved back into the outside studio.
I won a small victory. The inside studio was used as a catch all. I cleared it out and now I can use it for storage. The art/craft I am doing has a lot of inventory. Much of that can be housed there.
All of this does not make me happy but seeing and hearing her really unhappy does not help either, so I do what I have to do.
But right now, as we are sitting here in the evening, she is talking about something I do not understand. Something about clay. That thought won’t go away. She wants to have the wheel setup so she can work on throwing pots. A while back she wanted to sew a pillow. We bought the fabric, she sat down and worked an hour an has not touched it since.
Moving that studio may have been a huge mistake on my part. I stirred up a horrible hornets nest.
There are a lot of reasons for me to move my clean studio into the shop building. And, I got it mostly done then it all fell apart.
Every time she came into the studio and saw me in there, she would fuss. Big ugly fuss.
Days ago it was her suggestion that we just as well let it all go. That conversation went away very soon and it was trouble trouble.
Some one who knows nothing about AD said that patents should not be put on behavior medication but instead should have counseling. Hmm. All of that beautiful counseling would be gone about the time the patient got to the door
So, this afternoon, I moved back into the outside studio.
I won a small victory. The inside studio was used as a catch all. I cleared it out and now I can use it for storage. The art/craft I am doing has a lot of inventory. Much of that can be housed there.
All of this does not make me happy but seeing and hearing her really unhappy does not help either, so I do what I have to do.
But right now, as we are sitting here in the evening, she is talking about something I do not understand. Something about clay. That thought won’t go away. She wants to have the wheel setup so she can work on throwing pots. A while back she wanted to sew a pillow. We bought the fabric, she sat down and worked an hour an has not touched it since.
Moving that studio may have been a huge mistake on my part. I stirred up a horrible hornets nest.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
friends or family
There was one more funeral that I did not talk about.
The couple had moved to my town a few years ago. I must have greeted them, that was my job, but I have no memory of them at all. He was a retired pastor with fairly advanced Alzheimer’s.
They had a daughter here so I am sure that was the reason they moved here, but they never made a splash any way, and we did not get to know them. That is not a recommendation for us, btw.
But the man died, I saw the name but could not put a face with it. The funeral was in a town 20 miles away where he had some family history.
My guess is that they moved here because of family, for the help they could give. In the process of gaining help from their family, they gave up their friends.
Last week my Bible study group had a potluck after church, as we do regularly. There were 27 of us there. We have been a group for well over a decade and our friendship is deep. The food was extraordinary, with a great variety and just the right amount of almost everything. It was a feast.
We all reveled in the joy, not just of good food, but to be with old and trusted friends. The hostess had tables set up all over the house. Miriam and I ate with two other couples in the office.
Jan graduated from high school with Miriam. We knew her husband from soon after that. Our paths went opposite directions, but now in retirement, we are back in the same town. The other couple, Ray and Betty have been close friends for about 30 years. So these were long term close friends. The whole group fell into that category.
Now, we don’t have family here, but we have this bevy of true and tested friends.
So which is more important? Friends or family? I think the best answer is YES.
Right now we are doing alright here with our friends and with our family a bit further away. We seem to see them quite often, which is truly good, but it is not the same as being there with them. The time will come when we will need to have family closer, and that will mean WE will relocate.
That is how it has to be, I fear, but I will miss the people who have worked and camped and prayed and studied and ate and cared for us all these years.
I will. I will.
The couple had moved to my town a few years ago. I must have greeted them, that was my job, but I have no memory of them at all. He was a retired pastor with fairly advanced Alzheimer’s.
They had a daughter here so I am sure that was the reason they moved here, but they never made a splash any way, and we did not get to know them. That is not a recommendation for us, btw.
But the man died, I saw the name but could not put a face with it. The funeral was in a town 20 miles away where he had some family history.
My guess is that they moved here because of family, for the help they could give. In the process of gaining help from their family, they gave up their friends.
Last week my Bible study group had a potluck after church, as we do regularly. There were 27 of us there. We have been a group for well over a decade and our friendship is deep. The food was extraordinary, with a great variety and just the right amount of almost everything. It was a feast.
We all reveled in the joy, not just of good food, but to be with old and trusted friends. The hostess had tables set up all over the house. Miriam and I ate with two other couples in the office.
Jan graduated from high school with Miriam. We knew her husband from soon after that. Our paths went opposite directions, but now in retirement, we are back in the same town. The other couple, Ray and Betty have been close friends for about 30 years. So these were long term close friends. The whole group fell into that category.
Now, we don’t have family here, but we have this bevy of true and tested friends.
So which is more important? Friends or family? I think the best answer is YES.
Right now we are doing alright here with our friends and with our family a bit further away. We seem to see them quite often, which is truly good, but it is not the same as being there with them. The time will come when we will need to have family closer, and that will mean WE will relocate.
That is how it has to be, I fear, but I will miss the people who have worked and camped and prayed and studied and ate and cared for us all these years.
I will. I will.
no complaint
A lady i work with (I as a volunteer) and her husband are going on vacation for the next two weeks.
That is not a big deal. She and her husband are going to see one of their grand children, and that is not a big deal, but child lives with her parents in Australia!
Thirty six hours over and thirty six hours back and just a few days with family.
I was going to feel sorry for myself for having to drive 10 or 11 hours to San Francisco to see daughter 3 (Dea) and her family. I take back the thought of thought of complaining!
And we went to see Matt this week. That is about a 3 or 3 1/4 hour drive. My grandkids sure do live close!
Thanks daughters (and sons in law).
That is not a big deal. She and her husband are going to see one of their grand children, and that is not a big deal, but child lives with her parents in Australia!
Thirty six hours over and thirty six hours back and just a few days with family.
I was going to feel sorry for myself for having to drive 10 or 11 hours to San Francisco to see daughter 3 (Dea) and her family. I take back the thought of thought of complaining!
And we went to see Matt this week. That is about a 3 or 3 1/4 hour drive. My grandkids sure do live close!
Thanks daughters (and sons in law).
Monday, November 16, 2009
an answer?
Last wednesday was AD support group day.
Several new people. Most were taking care of their spouses. One was looking after a 91 year old mother.
Most are coping quite well, some exceedingly well.
There are also a couple of ladies who lost their husbands some time ago. One AD husband went 25 years ago, but she continues to attend the meetings.
But one couple really pulled at my heart strings. She said first thing that she has seizure disorder. I know a little about that one. She has frequent seizures, and two teen age children. He has AD and is not easy to get on with I gather.
She has to guide him when they go places. He can’t remember where to go. She said he hollered and was noisy a lot. The children were only mentioned in passing, but you know this is having a huge affect on them.
What do you tell people who are going through this kind of thing ? I was and still am at loss. All of the easy answers fail.
She had great internal strength. You could tell. That was the one positive thing.
But I wish there were answers. Any answer would help.
Several new people. Most were taking care of their spouses. One was looking after a 91 year old mother.
Most are coping quite well, some exceedingly well.
There are also a couple of ladies who lost their husbands some time ago. One AD husband went 25 years ago, but she continues to attend the meetings.
But one couple really pulled at my heart strings. She said first thing that she has seizure disorder. I know a little about that one. She has frequent seizures, and two teen age children. He has AD and is not easy to get on with I gather.
She has to guide him when they go places. He can’t remember where to go. She said he hollered and was noisy a lot. The children were only mentioned in passing, but you know this is having a huge affect on them.
What do you tell people who are going through this kind of thing ? I was and still am at loss. All of the easy answers fail.
She had great internal strength. You could tell. That was the one positive thing.
But I wish there were answers. Any answer would help.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
grandparents day
Tomorrow is Grandparents day at Matthew's school.
As long as he has been in that school, we have always have been able to attend.
So, when Matt called Friday, all full of apologies for not telling us sooner, this weeks plans were changed.
Matt (Sid and Arline's youngest) lives 3 1/2 hours away, so it will be a good afternoon drive.
I like to talk to Matt's teachers. He makes a face at what I tell them, but secretly he is glad I care. I tell the teachers that Matt is bright and capable and to please not let him get away with sloppy work. And you can quite me if you need to.
Teachers catch heck from students family much more than they get compliments. That is too bad. They deserve better.
On the way home toorrow we will stop and visit with Andrew and Brianna and Amy. Lora works tonight so she will be sleeping, but we will have a good visit with the young uns.
It is cold this morning, but little or no snow on the pass, so we should have an uneventful drive.
As long as he has been in that school, we have always have been able to attend.
So, when Matt called Friday, all full of apologies for not telling us sooner, this weeks plans were changed.
Matt (Sid and Arline's youngest) lives 3 1/2 hours away, so it will be a good afternoon drive.
I like to talk to Matt's teachers. He makes a face at what I tell them, but secretly he is glad I care. I tell the teachers that Matt is bright and capable and to please not let him get away with sloppy work. And you can quite me if you need to.
Teachers catch heck from students family much more than they get compliments. That is too bad. They deserve better.
On the way home toorrow we will stop and visit with Andrew and Brianna and Amy. Lora works tonight so she will be sleeping, but we will have a good visit with the young uns.
It is cold this morning, but little or no snow on the pass, so we should have an uneventful drive.
happy day after birthday Sid!
Yesterday was Sid's birthday.
Sid is my longest son in law. He may be the tallest too.
For as long as I can remember he has been married to the lovely Arline, my firstborn daughter.
Of all of my daughters I have loved her the longest!
Sid is in the same category.
Happy day after your birthday Sid!
And,
It was also Ray's birthday.Betty and Ray moved her a long time ago. They had a daughter the same age as one of ours, and we were drawn together. That friendship has gone 30 years and it has been a good one.
So Happy day after to you too Ray.
Sid is my longest son in law. He may be the tallest too.
For as long as I can remember he has been married to the lovely Arline, my firstborn daughter.
Of all of my daughters I have loved her the longest!
Sid is in the same category.
Happy day after your birthday Sid!
And,
It was also Ray's birthday.Betty and Ray moved her a long time ago. They had a daughter the same age as one of ours, and we were drawn together. That friendship has gone 30 years and it has been a good one.
So Happy day after to you too Ray.
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