Spontaneously today I thought of this leather wallet above, and could not remember where I had put it. I knew where it WAS and what I HAD been using it for...then a big blank. Darn. Where was it now? I am one who does not like to misplace things, makes me a little batty.
I asked J. if he'd seen it? Could it have fallen into the nearby trashcan and then thrown away?
In talking to J. and racking my brain, I reflected on the fact that I've had this particular piece since I was 17 or 18 years old. I'm fond of it. I like leather. Now, where could it be?
Just as spontaneously, while doing my stretches, I remembered where it was, in the car. I had J. bring it back in and placed it somewhere safer, because clearly it holds more meaning to me than I'd thought.
Then I came across this video. Timing.
How to make people get rid of stuff (with Matt Paxton & Zoe Kim)
Of course the timing could be perfect for me at ANY time, as I am always cleaning out belongings! haha.
The video and Well Gathering seemed to mesh together for me...belongings (sentimental and otherwise)...clearing, packing...memories, healing, letting go of stuff (physical or emotional). It felt like one big messy circle.
I've been documenting in one way or another for years. Most recently, I've used this blog space to do that, but I've also taken many, many photographs over the years, written Legacy Letters to my family and so on.
So with all of this in mind, I grouped together my other Leather Loves (much like I had with my small bags and medicine bag a while back).
I still use this checkbook cover...since the late 1970's. I guess one can't say I don't get my money's worth out of things! Anyway, it is hard to tell, but the design on it is one of plant life. lol I love the lil oval pouch and the Buffalo Nickel (also from the late 1970's) one too. Of course, that is why I still have them!
The little back coin purse was my grandmother's. I can still remember taking her to get her hair done. As I waited for, I'd sit under an empty hairdryer and doze. I was 17. After we'd go next door to the corner drug store. She'd take this lil black coin purse out to make her purchase, pulling out her folded dollar bills. It seems she always needed a new red lipstick. After dropping her back at her assisted living home, I would head out to the beach or to the 3rd Street Promenade to window shop. In the 1970's it was an outdoor mall, storefronts half empty...with a few funky shops I loved. I bought my leather, open-toed huaraches there. This one story, memorized, of the few times I took her to the hair salon are treasured for me. They remain an important picture of who we were together in that era, as well as who I was alone in that era. It's funny how outsized the memories are in comparison to the little black coin purse.
Everything is now in a safe, known place. They don't take up much space and remain useful. I like that.
May you live in the moment, with memories of how you got here
May you know who you were and who you are now
May you be curious as to who you are becoming, and pack accordingly
~AS USUAL, CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE,
AS I KNOW SOME FOLKS LIKE TO REALLY LOOK CLOSELY! ~
J. sent the mail out today, so if you were in this round,
you got an email from me with a head's up and a
wipe it & wait COVID warning!
Oh these days!
If you weren't in this round, well...I'm not done yet!
Plus, many of you have had mail come your way in the past,
in some way or another. So we're all good, yes!
If not and you are in need for a little mailbox love, just let me know!
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This song came to mind when I was thinking of this post.
I love this song, even more so because it was introduced to me
by a very dear, dear friend, in a very good time in my classroom days.
Anyway, I used to do this song in my Pre-K class, where I taught with kindred souls.
We had a blast together.
I'd act out all of the lyrics and we'd all sing together
I usually stopped using the cassette tape once the children
had learned the words and melody enough.
I loved teaching this way.
I'd usually introduce it sometime in early February and the children would write letters to their families, celebrating Love.
We then would take them on the college campus where I taught and the gal in the mail room would run them through her machine, adding the postage.
Soon enough, the children and their families would get mail at home!
They would always be in awe of the speedy postage machine.
This song was my addition, once gifted by my friend/co-worker, to a fully in place Center Tradition. Our school was great that way, full of rich experiences shared over time.
So, these days when I mail things out,
I really do feel like 'I'm mailing myself to you' ~
well, at least a piece of me, a piece of my heart!
It's such a jaunty song, great for singing along.
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Other local happenings here, and by local, I mean inmy house and directly
outside my window/sliding door (I have one of each!)
I finished the book I was reading last night.
it's funny that I've had it since 1979, tried to read it a couple times, and then finally did.
I guess the timing was right.
It's one of my 'run away from it all' type books, that I've mentioned. Note to self: Find or Create Book List for these books!
My vintage run away, nature, poetry books.
Some belonging to my mom years back.
All from the 1970's, except
"Women Who Run with the Wolves" ~
which I also have not made it through yet, but hang onto just in case.
I'm thinking "Blue Highways" or "I Heard the Owl Call My Name" ~
both of which I've started and never finished.
Actually, maybe that's what I should name this collection!
As I've been wont to do recently, after finishing a book, podcast, movie...
I go off exploring the characters, people, locations and so on.
Google is a wonderful tool for this.
When I finished this book last night, I wondered what he had done since.
Little did I know that since the late 1970's, Peter and others from this first book
did more traveling, more walking, wondering,
searching and finding (or not).
SPOILER ALERT:
If you think you may read this book, you may choose to not follow the links.
There's something special about going in cold,
really absorbing what the author has put out there for you to discover.
If you do read it, let's talk!
There was a lot to consider as I read, putting the story in the correct time context,
with all of the attitudes and happenings of the time. I also reminded myself of the author's age at the time of his journey.
In the end, I'm glad I did finally read this book, as it gave me lots to ponder.
And I sure have time for that!
I've also continued to clear. Almost anything is fair game to get
gifted, shredded, thrown out and so on.
I'm really on a roll with this and it feels so good.
I'm encouraged by my successes, driven by the goal of getting this done
while at home these days and inspired by the fact that I am feeling better.
My fever has stayed below 99 degrees (most of the day) for the past few days.
Hooray!
I am bound and determined to use this energy while I'm home and I've got it!
Today I found the original drawing I did after buying my sewing machine
in 1980, at 21 years old.
I bought it on lay-away, making three $25.00 payments before I could bring it home.
It was old, heavy and threaded at the time.
I didn't want to forget how to do that.
I used this little drawing a lot at first.
There are a lot of memories tangled up with that machine.
Some of them, already recorded here (including a photo)
Maybe more to record someday, we'll see.
The thing is I've really been considering for almost the whole year here in the new place,
if I really need to keep the machine.
I haven't used it for years.
Don't have a good place to use it.
don't even know if it is in working order at this point.
Or if I'm a cloth-maker at this point either.
If anything, I have two simple quilt ideas, that may or may not ever happen.
Of course, then I remember the stories, the past. sigh
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THEN THIS AFTERNOON TWO MAGICAL THINGS HAPPENED!
First, a beautiful little being, a butterfly followed J into the house!
It had entered through the patio door and he noticed it moments later,
behind the blinds in the window.
He gently caught it up to be released,
but there it sat for moments, before fluttering off.
I don't need to add more, just enjoy.
THEN HOURS LATER WHEN I WENT TO UPLOAD THE PHOTOS...
I knew it was pointless trying to catch a photo of it flying away,
but I took one anyway.
I of course, did not see the butterfly in it at all.
But...WAIT...Zoom!
Huh, what's this in the tree?
Why it looks just like a Tree Tiki Monkey!
Look at that grin!
The light was so different by the time I actually looked at the photos,
that I couldn't see the little Monkey anywhere.
Not even a branch in that spot.
I'll look again tomorrow.
May your days be filled with productivity and good memories and dreams and magical surprises! xo
I pulled out my Mama's sewing box, looking for something.
It is not the box from my childhood,
it's a replacement of hers from my adult years.
I hold no attachment to this box.
I thought I didn't have a connection to what was inside either.
Then I opened it and my Mama's scent drifted out to greet me.
October will be 9 years since she died and yet, her scent still
permeates everything she owned.
The material belongings her family now owns.
We all say this.
Open a drawer, a box...unfold a letter and there she is by your side.
Her scent so light, soft and familiar
that you can almost feel her touch as well.
You can easily bring up the feel of her soft, veined hands.
Her ways and words rush back to you.
Her love circles you telling you that she has been there all along.
I thought I'd just be saving the wooden spools.
But it now seems there are other things to consider deep within this box.
There is a lot I won't hang onto.
Three thimbles, in varying sizes. I've never used a thimble. Ever.
I have no need for all of this thread. I have my own.
Are these bobbins the same as mine? Mmmm...
I can check, don't know that I need them though.
Then I noticed the pink pin box and the 'made by Mom' tags.
Uh-Oh...here come the memories.
And, wait...that gold thread...
is that from my 7th grade Pheasant blouse from my Jr. High sewing class.
OK ~ Set that layer aside...
Legitimate tools: useful or vintage.
Look at the prices there.
The third layer down holds a box of every extra button that ever came on an article of clothing my mom bought (well that's how it feels, there's a lot!)
Buttons can be useful.
How many buttons does one need?
And a hand-drawn diagram of how to thread my machine...
in the hand of young 20 year old,
newly married and 8 months pregnant me.
I've got that memorized now.
My machine, purchased on lay-away in Reno, NV.
It cost $75.00 and took me three trips to town
before I could afford to bring it home.
I was so proud.
A new sewing machine and my own JC Penney's charge card (a first too).
Cancelled that card last year or so
when I was frustrated with the way they were handling something.
I threatened to take my charge business elsewhere.
Employee said OK.
Long gone are the days when the customer came first! lol
I'm really fine with this.
But, you can see how one slip of scribbled on paper
can erupt a volcano of old memories.
So, do I need most of this stuff?
Where does it go from here?
How do stop wondering if the new owner will embrace
my mama's scent as something wonderful.
(((sigh)))
Not plastic-coated!
Removed from something at some time
My old tags
"Mom" tag!
Vintage price
Now what?
Anybody want or need anything? ☺
I just closed up Pandora's Box
and walked out of the room.
May your own memories be sweet
and your belongings be just right for what you want/need...for who You are.
