Rewind

 January is the month to reorganize and put everything into clear plastic containers.  If I see it I can find it.

   I ought to round up the family photos and images that are in  albums, on reels, slides, cartridges, disks, cd's and in cyber space on I Cloud.  Then I could put them within easy reach.  Keeping track,  just in case the kids are home and want to look back. I admit last summer they were too busy swimming. 

    So hey you guys, what about all the photos we took?    I have them on flash-I'm trying my best to function in the 21st century.

   Reel to real. I think about an old yellowed photograph that I can't find. The family is in Gram's living room.  There's a white sheet hanging on her cedar log wall. My young nephew is helping Grandpa thread the reel on a very old Bell and Howell  35 mm projector.  It's a three minute clip of Grandpa's 1940's Canadian fishing trip - talkless men smiling and walking around with a string of big Northerns.  

   The reel spins again with a a clickity clack as the light flashes, and then snap, snap, snap!  That's the end of it.  "Turn on the light," Grandpa calls.  There's a steady hum as the reel runs backwards for the rewind. A short intermission.  To the kitchen for milk and  cookies.  Instead, my  nephew studies the mechanics of how the reel goes around, and says,  "Somebody turn off the lights, this one's of my Mom sliding down a twelve foot snow bank, and it's got Grandma and Grandpa in it ice skating on the river...roll em!"

   Tawnia  interjects,  (by way of a text after reading this post:)  That someone was me who was sitting next to the cookie jar and turning on the light."   

And later Tamara adds:  "I like curling up on the sofa chair with the pics that are  stored in old shoe boxes.  Hands on.”

hollyhockjunction.blogspot.com

Books to find.

 I like vintage children's books.  Most often they are found on the shelves of the new old library - on  the back wall of thrift shops, or on  Ebay.

But also!  New large activity-friendly library  buildings are popping up in several nearby towns.  Libraries   integrating activities,  interactive story telling, crafts, seminars,  art projects, and authors presenting the books they’ve written.

 

One new library  is replacing a "center of town" mall,  where once upon a time, the main activity was shopping.   And there’s the book mobile, and little free library stations  found in many unusual places.  

 

 

Cothing Store

      On front street in a near by town,  there is a brick and mortar clothing store.     My mother's favorite.  The hooks and hangers are filled with a variety of sweaters, jackets and scarves, even though Christmas and the holidays are long over.  

     Two clerks offer assistance.  One,  I think is the manager/owner.   "What can we do for these people?"  She asks, speaking out at the isles that have very few customers in them.  "Forty percent off on sweaters."  She adds.  

     "The sweater coats, too?"  My mother asks.

     "All of the sweaters, and fifty percent off  scarves and hats."

     I look at them. Scarves on shelves tucked in places all over the store. They're beautiful, and good quality, with plenty to pick from.  I should buy several to give as gifts next year.  

     But haven't I decided that gift giving is a bust?  My family has their own likes, loves, colors, textures, looks!  Who can figure it out.  Not me.  Not me the not-a-decision maker person. 

     I know there is high fashion, as in  New York school of Fashion and Design, and fast fashion-  the youthful college independence- cool and  unique clothing  found at thrift shops.   And there is even slow fashion...sewn by hand.  

     Mother buys what she likes.  Most always it's striking. 

   She picks out a sweater and a sweater coat, and disappears into a dressing room.  She steps out in a red and black rose patterned top  with unusually wide three quarter sleeves.  I like the drama, and it  has a nice fit.     

     She decides on it, as well as  an  off white  embroidered sweater coat she chooses for spring.   

     While she stands at the  checkout counter with the clerk, the manager makes her way over to me, and asks if I walk? (Is she looking at my  grungy tennis shoes with good winter tread?)   She thrusts towards me a fluffy beanie hat.  

     "This is probably the warmest hat you will ever find." she says.   "It's  cable knit,  and lined in fleece.  You won't get cold walking in this hat."

     I take it in my hand and examine it.  I ask,  "But is it too tight,  or itchy?" And is it the right color for me?"