Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Thrifting's Revival


Several years ago, I owned an antique store in the Chicagoland area. Over time, I moved to about five different locations with my final stop being in Peoria, Illinois. In the end I’d grown tired of moving merchandise in addition to the difficulty and expense I found in maintaining fresh inventory to sell. While I lived in the suburbs of Chicago, Peoria was an ideal place due to proximity and because it allowed me to visit my daughter while updating/working the shop. She attended university there. 

I have always loved antique, vintage and old. Antique stores and estate sales were usually always part of our weekends. As I mentioned in some of my other blog posts, part of the beauty and quality of the pieces included knowing the history and imagining the lives of the previous owners. It seemed a natural progression to simply open a shop. 

The idea of this blog post originated due to discovering a younger generation’s interest in thrifting. Of course, when you watch one reel on social media of a thrifter’s “find” you’re then inundated with endless reels of the same or related content. Watching them can be addictive if you aren’t careful, but I’m so happy to see young adults rediscovering beautiful pieces and bringing them into their lives; in addition, they are being very creative in repurposing some of those items. I applaud their cleverness. And thrifting isn’t necessarily antiquing, but the line gets a little blurry when stores, auctions, and estate sales carry/sell much of the same merchandise. Timeframes and eras don’t necessarily matter in defining a type of store or how someone collects anymore. 

Over the years, I came across some odd and very unique kinds of items in addition to the “normal” things one sees in antique stores. One such piece was a wrought iron plant stand that measured about seven to eight feet in height with the top curved into what looked like a bird cage. There were about four “arms” curving out from it which would hold plants in addition to the base. To add to the oddness of the find, I purchased it at an estate sale being held at a monastery. Because of its size, it was a challenge to get home. But it was so beautiful once cleaned, and it was certainly the center of attention in my shop. I envisioned how lovely it would look in the solarium or conservatory of an estate somewhere; eventually, it sold but it took a while. It was something I wish I’d been able to keep but had no room or place for it. 

Other unusual things I encountered over the years while buying inventory: a wooden coffin with lid/cover (c.19th century) being used as a storage chest in a home (DID NOT buy that one); creepy dolls that give you nightmares; skull mounts and taxidermy—in memory of someone’s pets…didn’t buy any of those either. I generally passed on more than I purchased, so it goes without saying I attended a lot of sales. But the best things were often hidden or unassuming, many of which came in box lots. 

Which brings me to the photograph I’ve included in this post. I obtained it in one of those “lots” and I’ve a full container of these old photos with some dating back to around 1800 (maybe earlier). Given the description accompanying the image, it’s one of the odd finds and discoveries, which I purchased at an estate sale in Batavia, Illinois. 

The photograph measures about 8 x 9.5 inches and is mounted on stiff cardboard; these were known as cabinet cards. I can find no information on the historical photographer named A. Lund, but that’s not unusual. There is also no date, but given the style of clothing and hairstyles of the women, I’d guess it was taken anywhere from the 1880s to 1900, plus cabinet cards originated around 1860. The description of the photograph is:

“This picture was taken at a shower for Emma Anderson Swanson. A mock wedding was held. Most of the women are employees of Bellevue.” Then it proceeds to list most of the names of those in the photograph. 

The history of Bellevue. Bellevue Institute was a private school in Batavia, Illinois that was chartered in 1853. In 1867, it was purchased by Dr. Richard J Patterson and the institute was renamed Bellevue Place, a private sanitarium for women. Its most notable resident was President Abraham Lincoln’s widow, Mary Todd Lincoln, who was a patient living there from May to September of 1875. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; the building was eventually converted to apartments. 

My first antique shop was located in Batavia and I regularly drove by this building. Looking at the photograph and based on the description that came with it, I wonder about the unnamed women and the ones who were not employed at Bellevue. Were they patients? Why a shower? Why a mock wedding? Given the possible timeframe, could any of them have encountered Mary Todd Lincoln? Ironically, the Emma Anderson Swanson mentioned isn’t listed as the “bride” in the photo. The woman in the top hat is an unknown (no name was given), but it gives shades of Abraham Lincoln in my opinion. I suppose I’ll continue trying to find information regarding the names of some of the women, but so far I haven’t been successful. I would so love to know their history. That’s what antiques do to me. 

Yes, I’m happy the “old” is being discovered again. I’ve also fallen down the rabbit hole of reels where this same generation is discovering my generation of music…watching them listen for the first time to a song of my youth, and like it, is pure joy. 

Happiness. 


 

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Cinderella ~ 1965

 


I somehow missed this milestone. Missed it because it was something so relevant to me as a child. Last month marked the 60th anniversary television release of the 1965 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical production of Cinderella. 

It starred Lesley Ann Warren, Stuart Damon, Ginger Rogers, Celeste Holm, Walter Pidgeon, and so many other talented individuals. Warren was only eighteen when she was cast in the title role of Cinderella; and Damon, Prince Charming, might be better known and remembered for his portrayal of Dr. Alan Quartermaine on ABC's General Hospital. That alone is worthy of a future blog post here. 

One Saturday evening at her grandmother's house, the little girl sat on the floor, eyes glued to a screen that showed people singing and dancing. Suddenly a beautiful princess appeared destined to find the prince of her dreams. The child hugged her blanket closely, in her very own little corner. 

I was that little girl. 


In my Own Little Corner

Songwriters Rodgers and Hammerstein

I'm as mild and as meek as a mouseWhen I hear a command, I obeyBut I know of a spot in my houseWhere no one can stand in my way
In my own little corner, in my own little chairI can be whatever I want to beOn the wings of my fancy, I can fly anywhereAnd the world will open its arms to me
I'm a young Norwegian, princess or a milkmaidI'm the greatest prima donna in MilanI'm an heiress who has always had her silk madeBy her own flock of silkworms in Japan
I'm a girl men go mad for, love's a game I can playWith a cool and confident kind of airJust as long as I stay in my own little cornerAll alone in my own little chair
I can be whatever I want to beI'm a slave from Calcutta, I'm a queen in PeruI'm a mermaid dancing upon the sea
I'm a huntress on an African safariIt's a dangerous type of sport, yet it's funIn the night I sally forth to seek my quarryAnd I find I forgot to bring my gun
I am lost in the jungle, all alone and unarmedWhen I meet a lioness in her lairThen I'm glad to be back in my own little cornerAll alone in my own little chair


Friday, February 21, 2025

Lights...and More

 It's a Journey kind of day. I do believe that Steve Perry (of Journey), the late Karen Carpenter, and the late Freddie Mercury (of Queen) were blessed with the most beautiful voices I've ever heard, especially for their genres of music. 

Wishing the best weekend for all. 





Monday, February 10, 2025

No Comments

 


A few years ago, I changed the comments setting on this blog. It had gotten to the point where the comments were either generally offensive, or were just random and had nothing to do with me or the post in question. Many were self-promoting in nature from people I didn't know, with links to click. So now I'm able to monitor every comment attempt... the inappropriate ones get deleted and are never visible in the comments section of my blog.

If you've ever read comments from the internet world, you're aware of how bad it can be. To my knowledge, Blogger won't allow me to completely deactivate the comments section, but I do control it. If I even get a notification that there's a pending comment (and most of the time I don't, so I miss them), I usually don't even allow the comments to be posted, anyway. Apologies if you've tried because I more than likely didn't see it. It has been nice not having to deal with most of it though. 

But if you'd like to still comment, please try. It'll go through filters. :) But if you're needing a quicker response, please go to my website and fill out the contact form there. That's not to say I haven't had 'garbage' there, too...I have. 

Thanks for continuing to read what I share.


Monday, January 6, 2025

Part of the Plan...and a 13th

 January 2025. It marks the thirteenth anniversary of this blog. Some of the posts I've shared over the years are nothing but silly drivel; some are creative in content and nature (sharing my books of fiction, sad attempts at poetry, my photography and paintings, plus everything related to all of it); some posts are thoughts of the moment, memories, nostalgia, Youtube videos; while some dive deeper into what might be going on outside of my own life. I don't write about the latter much anymore because of the divisive nature and ugliness shown, but I wish that I could. Maybe someday.

So this anniversary post contains some New Year's resolutions of sorts. I hold myself accountable for all of them and plan to do better, but there are so many people that I personally know (and of course those I don't!) who should be accountable, as well. We can all do better.

♥︎ Be Accountable. If you make a mistake, own it. 

♥︎ Remember. Remember those in your life because someday they won't be in your life anymore; someday your own memory could diminish, too, where it's impossible to recall those memories that are so very important. Everyone gets old...if we're lucky. 

♥︎ Show kindness. Showing anything but is only a poor reflection on you. 

♥︎ Respond to communication. I'm slow at responding to emails but I always eventually respond, and phone calls aren't always convenient. Text messages were supposed to make communicating easier and quicker...but it seems it's gotten easier to just ignore those.  It really seems rude and thoughtless. 

♥︎ Show patience. With life, goals, and with people. 

♥︎ Hold yourself to the same standards you set for others; and set the standards equally for everyone if you set them. 

♥︎ Don't engage in suppressing or repressing others' thoughts and their need to express them. Listen with respect, whether you agree with them or not. 

♥︎ Think. Stop following like sheep especially if it goes against logic, knowledge and common sense. 

The remainder of this post contain the lyrics and video of Part of the Plan, a great song written and performed by the late Dan Fogelberg. He sings 'One Day We'll All Understand'...I'm still waiting to understand life, but it is less foggy than it used to be.

As always, thanks to all who continue to read what I share here. 


Part of the Plan

Music and Lyrics by Dan Fogelberg

I have these moments all steady and strongI'm feeling so holy and humbleThe next thing I know, I'm all worried and weakAnd I feel myself starting to crumble
The meanings get lost, and the teachings get tossedAnd you don't know what you're gonna do nextYou wait for the sun but it never quite comes
Some kind of message comes through to youSome kind of message comes throughAnd it says to you
Love when you canCry when you have toBe who you mustThat's a part of the planAwait your arrivalWith simple survival and
One day, we'll all understandOne day, we'll all understandOne day, we'll all understand
I had a woman who gave me her soulBut I wasn't ready to take itHer heart was so fragile and heavy to holdAnd I was afraid I might break it
Your conscience awakes and you see your mistakesAnd you wish someone would buy your confessionsThe days miss their mark, and the night gets so dark
And some kind of message comes through to youSome kind of message shoots throughAnd it says to you
Love when you canCry when you have toBe who you mustThat's a part of the planAwait your arrivalWith simple survival and
One day, we'll all understandOne day, we'll all understandOne day, we'll all understand
There is no Eden or heavenly gatesThat you're gonna make it to one dayBut all of the answers you seek can be foundIn the dreams that you dream on the way







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Precipice

I haven't shared a short story in quite some time, and I'm happy I finally finished this one, entitled  Precipice ....