Sunday, July 19, 2009

Great Grandpa's awl

I have been working very intensely for the past 6 weeks along with my son. We have been going through many family things that were still in my house.
This is one of many.
We have had the privilege of holding the past in our hands.
My Dad called his Grandfather 'Grandpa Wiggins'. This awl was in a large old wooden tool chest that was my Grandfather's. My Dad told me he used to climb into it when he was just a little feller! And it was still full of so many tools.
I had such a feeling when I picked them up of getting just the tiniest bit of him in my hand.
I saved a file with a handmade handle.
Surely he made that handle.
When he crafted it, he had no idea that one day his great great granddaughter and great great great grandson would be holding it with affection for his work.

Going over things and deciding

When one has lived a lifetime of considerable years and has the taste of an artist, a problem arises.
Too much stuff.
Too much beautiful stuff.
Can that be possible?
Uh-huh, definitely!
Having not only my own beautiful stuff, I have now acquired a great deal of my parent's beautiful stuff and the problem expands!
These lovely glasses are not just beautiful, but were a wedding gift to my parents from my Mother's mother. She had few funds to buy such a wonderful present and I knew that, and so here I see them, a gift of love given some 75 years ago, and I can't part with them.
Even though one glass is missing from the set.
And this is only one example of my dilema.
I'm only ruthless to a point.