Tchotchkes and Other Assorted Treasures

Any of you who have been reading my work for a while now, know that I am fascinated by words. This week I am particularly interested in the word tchotchkes, although kerfuffle, chutzpah and bubkes are also at the top of the list of words with which I would love to play at some point in time.  I think each of those words is fun to say, and all of them are most effective in describing as only solid adjectives are able to do -- even though each of those words is actually a noun -- albeit a colorful one...

It is only recently that I came to know how to spell any of the words mentioned above, and that makes it only more fun to write about one of them.  I have to tell you that I am not a good speller, never have been, in spite of the fact that I love words. The age of spell checker has changed my life.  Auto-correct still has a few issues as far as I am concerned, but spell check or the red underline in word processing that gives you options -- heaven for me. (Thank you, whoever you are. You are a language hero as far as I am concerned.)

Anyway --  I do love stuff and a bit of that are tchotchkes.  When I was much younger, I was big into pennants of places where we traveled on summer vacations and then later on I displayed pennants of the colleges of my friends. There was also the charm bracelet of my teenage years that I wish I could find today. (Have you noticed that they are coming back in the updated Pandora fashion of the moment?) But anyway -- the tchotchkes that are at the top of the dust gathering list for me are the two trophies that I have "won" -- two -- in my entire life. The first was a junky trophy made of compressed paper and bits of wood that has since disintegrated. I was so proud of it -- I won it in Junior Golf -- it was the kind of trophy that one wins for participating with a good attitude.... I was never a good athlete -- not that girls had many sports in which to participate back in the day.  The second trophy is the one I won in a speech competition when I was in high school.  It was for an original oration and I beat a young man who had won his previous eleven competitions. Over fifty years later, I still remember his name. Wonder if he is on Facebook? Recently I discovered that I still have a note that my sister wrote me from college at that time telling me congratulations  -- celebrating what she called my gift of gab. (I cherish that note.)  But -- back to the focus of this blog -- that trophy is, I know, somewhere here in my office. I distinctly remember putting it on a shelf when I moved into this house now fifteen years ago.  It's for sure behind some books... you see - many of my book shelves are two rows deep with books.  Are books tchotchkes of a sort? Probably not, but the things I display in front of them and in back of them are -- those "things" may be dust collecting trinkets, but they are also memory keepers ... treasures for sure.  Tchotchkes....

Sometimes raising children is like being pecked to death by a chicken ...

No matter where you live, raising children is not for the faint of heart. Needless to say a sense of humor is a most important survival skill. I find that day to day life is much less stressful when your kids are all grown; you have somehow survived, and now it’s time to enjoy grandchildren – the most wonderful of all creations. I am totally “into” my grandkids, who are, of course absolutely wonderful in every sense – even when the younger ones band together and begin to lurk and skulk about in tandem – silent little Ninjas on an imaginary mission of some sort. If they would start not to be wonderful, I have learned that whatever the problem is, it will pass with a little love to get them through – or - I can always send them home to their loving parents. (Actually I haven't had to do that yet.)

I figure that I am entitled to enjoy my grandkids as I survived raising a son and a daughter… good kids, but they still dragged me kicking and screaming through the usual growing-up challenges – I found myself to be ever captive but … willing to help. I have to tell you that my hair is totally white. The loss of color happened prematurely, and I earned every single white hair. Frankly, I blame it on my son’s four wheeler experiences in combination with a certain fearlessness and his belief in his own immortality and on my daughter’s tendency to love and adopt animals – of all sorts… hamsters, fish, bunnies, dogs, cats, horses. She actually trained an old pulling pony to jump logs. She was about 7 years old at the time, I think -- maybe even younger.

Further -- I feel compelled to mention that the poor driving skills of both of them during the first year or so of having a driver’s license also contributed to my premature white hair phenomenon. My daughter totaled a car shortly after she passed her driving test. I think it may have been one day after. One Day! The terror that comes with that sort of experience tends to hang on for a long time in a mom who tends to worry over even minor things. I will say though that at least she didn’t have speeding tickets in four states in one year like her big brother, so there is that for which to be thankful. By the way -- I no longer ask him about the status of that "tickets in one-year" record. I just assume that he has matured on that front + he lives in a Midwestern state that already has a high speed limit -- one which I find excessive to say the least. What can I say? He comes from a family that has a race car driver in its background. He feels the "need for speed" -- or did at one time.

Nowadays -- I have to admit that I take a certain perverse pleasure in listening to both of my children discussing their child rearing "situations" as well as when they call to ask advice.  I particularly love it that my son called to ask how I handled it when he was out late past curfew which, in truth, was never -- that I know of. He laughed when I told him that I used to go to bed early and set the alarm for 15 minutes before he was supposed to get home, so that I could be at the door to give him a nice long hug and to ask about his evening.  It worked for the most part – both kids knew I would be giving them that hug when they got home.  It was always my hope that they would think about that hug and welcome home talk.  I think they did. Then again – they may have left the house after I went to bed so that I never even knew that they were out – I don’t want to even think about it.  I have told them not to talk of such things in front of me as I am just starting to relax a bit on the worrying front now that they are handling their own stuff and raising their own children.  They are, by the way, doing an excellent job of it all.  (They now ask me nicely not to share their stories in front of their children.  Oh the struggles of temptation….)

What are you thinking?

There was a time when I thought that the hula hoop was the best invention ever. Then later on it was a certain feminine hygiene product.  Time passed -- it became the disposable diaper or the post-it note that was at the top of my "major discovery" list for a while, and now, I often think that I will be eternally indebted to the individual who invented painters' tape. When I think about inventions during my life time, I am a bit overwhelmed. I find it difficult to decide what is most important. Most seem at least a bit important and many have changed all of our lives -- at least those of us who have moved/been dragged out of the cave, and that covers, I think, almost everyone in the entire world now.  Think about it...  even those who live in the most primitive of conditions are touched by the outside world. There is no escape. In most case scenarios -- our lives are improved -- hope so.  Anyway --

From time to time I have thought about the significance of the fact that many of our grandparents moved from a wood stove to central heating, from horse and buggy to automobiles, and from work horses to tractors. Remember that they were one of the generations who walked up hill both ways.  Then again -- our generation has experienced leaps as great -- and in larger numbers perhaps. Our world is changing so very quickly, and... we find out about new "stuff" in record time -- sometimes even years before the common folk have access to whatever it is. Our world is both smaller and larger at the same time.  

Of course there are a multitude of medical discoveries and a bunch of scientific developments that I know nothing about and wouldn't understand even if I did explore them a bit -- like the whole fiber optic "thing".  I know that these inventions are making our lives better and am thankful for the smart people who figured it all out. But turning to things that are more readily understandable and more frequently utilized brings us to such things as -- personal computers, cell phones, video games, the World Wide Web (does anyone call it that anymore?), and then there is GPS as well as DNA testing, etc. (Lots of letters in our world today; that's for sure.) 

On a more personal level -- I love my garage door opener (especially in bad weather), central air conditioning, and...  I am fond of the TV remote control, Roku, Netflix, and Acorn TV.  I also enjoy the convenience of the ATM machine and cordless tools with interchangeable batteries. I even comprehend, on some level, the importance of bar codes. Now that I think about it, there are a great many "newfangled" things that are changing our lives and in some cases -- becoming necessities. These are things that fulfill needs and wants that we never knew we had before their creation.  Swiffer products and microfiber cleaning cloths are cases in point.  Is your mind spinning with other inventions that have come into your life in a big way? Feel free to share.

Many times I wish that I had thought of that - whatever that is. Seriously -- how did someone know that pet rocks would become such a hit or that Chia pets would last as long as the did? ("Ch-ch-ch-chia!" has been running through my head off and on since the '80's for cryin' out loud.) I don't know about you, but I would like to have an idea that worked out well... that brought fun or, better yet, an idea that helped someone out a bit.  The thing is if I ever had an idea for such an invention, I didn't stay with it long enough for it to come into focus or I remember the idea after someone else had actually brought it to fruition. I guess the place to start might be with what people seem to need help with. Some research is necessary here.  

It is a fast moving and interesting world we live in. At times I wish we could all put on the brakes and slow things down so that people could catch up a little bit. Remember that "game" Would you rather be deaf or blind?  It's a game that made you really think about and appreciate important aspects of your life. Well let's play a variation -- Would you rather have transportation of some sort or access to media?   I am just wondering what you are thinking.  
Call it research.  

  

Arts and Crafts

Recently I have been writing/rewriting a short article to submit to an online magazine that published something of mine about a year ago. I am hoping that they might like my work enough to think about publishing it again. We will see.   The topic? Arts and Crafts.  Anyway -- thinking about this topic brought back a lot of fun memories.  I have a sneakin' suspicion that you may have similar flashbacks as you read through this post.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I started young in this creative arena.  There were always projects going on in my house.  For several years I remember my mom having a table set up somewhere in the house for things like making holiday ornaments out of old jewelry. There were other, larger projects as well -- decoupage and "antiquing" old furniture in avocado and cloudy blue stains. There were always "things" going on. Our Mom made her own draperies and taught my sister and I how to sew.  I don't, however, think that I ever mastered installation of a zipper or made anything that actually fit well. I accept full responsibility for this ineptitude. Sewing, in general makes me tense -- (as does playing games, for that matter.) Anyway -- 

The propensity for involvement in projects carries over.  I think it may be genetic, and some of these inherited talents are like riding a bike.  In fact, I think that I may still remember how to fold and weave gum wrappers into a chain. Sometimes I still make my own bows for gift wrapping. I no longer paint or sculpt with metal -- something I did a long time ago, but...  I do knit, crochet, cross stitch and attempt other skills -- most of which would be absolutely perfect to send photos of into Pinterest for their "Nailed it (Failed It) category.

Ah -- Fond memories --  day camp clay ashtrays, pine cone wreaths, macrame hangers for plants. (Now knot tying was one art/craft that I personally spread like a contagion throughout my home and to all family and friends kind enough to support my endeavors and to accept gifts of knots.) Then again there were challenges like embroidery. My sister and I each started quilt square kits when we were in our teens or maybe we were even younger than that. She will remember exactly when.  She is, in great part, my memory of the more important details of our lives. A childhood friend of mine remembers all the other important tidbits.   Anyway -- I know she never finished embroidering her quilt squares because, more than a few years ago, she sent me the two squares she had finished and the ten squares that she had not even started.  She may have done this because at one point I sent her my unfinished kit just in case she wanted to make a quilt twice the size of the original plan. She also returned those to me. Just the other day, I saw all the squares and thread reposing in tissue in a box far back on a high closet shelf.  I wonder if my sister would want them now that her children are all grown. She might have time.  Then again, she is working part time and playing with her grand kids among many other things.   Hmm... she probably would not want them ... but ... it is tempting to send them to her anyway... sort of a "blast from the past" type of memorabilia. Actually I will be visiting her in a month or so. I could take them as a "thank you for your hospitality" gift. Hmm... probably not a good idea....

                                          ~~~~

Wondering now -- does paint by number fit into the category of arts and crafts? It should really. It takes a certain knack (one I have never completely mastered).  What about rock painting? Crayon Art? Plastic canvas Kleenex box covers?  You probably have a list of your own favorites.

If my Arts and Crafts article is rejected by the magazine, I may share the whole thing with you as a blog post. It includes some mention of basket weaving with friends.  It was fun to write.  I am hoping that it will be fun to read. We will see.    

Tit for Tat

Next week are the Pennsylvania Presidential Primaries... with a large number of delegates up for grabs. You know what this means... right? Well, for one thing, it means the potential for lots of nasty television commercials and survey calls. For another thing -- it means that I will get to practice at least some of the questions I made up last June for the blog post entitled "Unknown Caller".

The more I think of it now, I am so hoping that I do get annoying survey calls from real people, not just robo calls.  I anticipate that this tit for tat process could be fun. Picture this...

Caller:  I have a few important survey questions.  It won't take much of your time.  Would you be able to answer them?

Me:  Certainly,  I just need to finish this bite of my dinner ... and ... I do need you to answer a few questions of my own first.  Surely you wouldn't mind.... It won't take much of your time and then we can get to your questions.  

• How are you? Are you having a good day? Do you find that most people are nice to you on the phone? Or...?
• Assuming that you are not a volunteer and are not incarcerated -- do you get paid well for doing these surveys?  Do you earn under or over minimum wage? What is minimum wage in your state?  What state is that? In general, how do you feel about your pay on a scale from 1 - 5 with 5 indicating that you are totally satisfied?
• If paid, do you get paid by the number of people you call or by the number of completed surveys? Do they deduct pay when people hang up on you? Are your feelings hurt when people do so?
• What company or political party are you really working for?  Are you sitting in a back room of the White House right now? Does your boss have a Southern tinge of Texas, Midwestern, New York Cityish, or New Englandish accent?
• What is your highest level of education? How old are you? Really? You sound younger.
• Do you have other jobs, or is this full time?
• Do you own your own home? 
• Do you live in the city or in the boonies?
• What would you be doing if you were not doing this survey?
• Do you have any idea of what time zone you are calling?  Do you care?
• Are you planning on buying a new car within the next 5 years? If so what make/model do you think it will be? Will you buy it new or used?
• How did you get my phone number? Did you have to pay for it? How much did it cost?
• Have I brightened your day?

Feel free to use any of my questions if you wish to play as well. Do let me know if you make any new friends or if someone hangs up on you.  

View From The Porch

It's Presidential election time once again. Are you sick of it yet? I find it odd and somewhat amusing, that for the first time in my life, I am not tuning it out...yet. This is the year, and I am watching American politics from my porch, so to speak -- or maybe I am a member of some peanut gallery that exists on the fringe of things.The thing is, even with all the hoopla, I find it hard to give this getting elected process my complete attention.  I must admit also that - so far - I am amused by it all - or maybe bemused is a more accurate adjective. I honestly have tried to watch what the "news" channels call debates only to find myself annoyed by moderators who love to hear themselves talk and by candidates who are under the delusion that people will hear them if they talk louder while trying to over-talk others. The moderators' questions are longer than the answers, for crying out loud. I find both the moderators and questions to be tedious. I find the frequent tendency of some candidates to interrupt and to be mean disheartening. Yet, on the other hand, -- at the point when there were too many Republican candidates to keep track of, I chuckled when I noticed that one candidate stood on his tippy-toes in order to appear taller. Now -- I continue to appreciate how another smoothly manipulates an arrogant and self-impressed news media.  The media take the bait every single time and still don’t “get it” -- although -- there is a glimmer that a few are beginning to have an inkling. In addition to all this --  I am somewhat disturbed to note that I can be totally distracted by a moderator’s false eyelashes or that a candidate’s pant suits look like something that may have been designed and made in communist Russia during the Cold War.  Yes, the whole process is amusing on some level.  It is also a bit unnerving and exhausting even if you don’t give it your full attention. I do try to focus.  It isn't easy.  As the campaigning trudges through the weeks causing a series of tremors in the already uneven ground of this election year, it gives one pause.  As the barrage of negative advertising attacks increases and becomes more pathetic, my question is -- will we Americans somehow be able to sort it all out and pull it all together?  I think so. We have done it before.  Haven’t we?  What we are witness to now is nothing new in the realm of American politics and elections.  Sad, but....

Here’s the thing…It is important to remember the greatness of America.  We are a country forged by the special talents that come from the blend of cultural diversity.  We are a people descendant of the hardy and courageous. Americans are, for the most part resilient and generous. We face adversity; we sometimes learn from our mistakes; we grow; we adapt.  We give – over and over again, though we rarely receive a Thank You note.  We know in our core that America is a land of lovely picket fences as well as of magnificent sky scrapers, a land of calloused hands and muddy boots as well as of manicured nails and designer wingtips. Here’s another thing – figuratively speaking -- from all walks of life, we still gather on a summer’s day to watch a parade.  Many of us still love a heart touching Norman Rockwell or Currier and Ives moment.  We are there looking on from our porch or participating in -- with a mixture of smiles and teary eyes.  All is not lost. Sometimes it is hard to remember that and to hang on to the belief that there will be a return to some semblance of sanity after the election. We need to remember that we have been surviving politicians and their games for a long time.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today our Mom would have turned 97 years old.  

I think of her every day.  I miss her every day.  My sister does too.

Our Mom was unique and special in many ways, but sometimes, it is the simple things that are the most comforting when you miss someone every day ... simple reminders like the appearance of hands, the sound of a voice,  facial expressions, a special smile, gestures, the appearance of eyes and eye lashes.... Memories associated with each of these calls forth a deeper significance - a memory beyond the memory and all that is associated with who that person was/is. I know that those who have "lost" a loved one totally "get this".

It's interesting to me that I have my Mom's hands and sometimes my voice sounds like hers. (At times I even hear her words and expressions coming out of my mouth.) I look at my hands and hear my voice and know that she is a part of who I am.  It's nice really...comforting.  I would like to be more like her in other ways as well. 

I love that there are times when I can see a glimmer of her in facial expressions on my sister's face or in the way my sister's eyes move and focus on something. I am keenly aware that every time I see my sister, she looks more like our Mom. Sometimes my sister has her exact smile. Our Mom is a part of my sister also. It's nice.

Somehow I know that our Mom knows that her children and grandchildren are doing just fine making their way -- and that she knows that she has great grandchildren now.  I believe this. I believe that she leaves little hints of her presence when she checks in on us. Knowing these things is comforting.

At times my granddaughter reminds me of her - especially in the way her hands move when she talks.  My granddaughter also has our Mom's eyes and eye lashes.  I like that.

Mom's are special, remarkable people. Our Mom -- especially so. She touched many lives in most positive ways throughout her time. Actually she continues to do so. It's nice really...comforting.

Happy Birthday, Mom!  Thinking of you as always , but today ...especially so.