A Soft Spot for Hardware

I believe the affinity I have for variety and hardware stores goes back to my little girl days
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Back then, (nay, I say WAY back then), a trip to Blalock's Five and Dime and the local hardware store, meant accompanying my Dad on an errand that would usually end up with me adding something to my material goods.  Even though my Dad knew how much I loved Blalock's, I believe he also loved the simple glitz of the colorful, inexpensive goods that overwhelmed the small space.

Shiny things that drew this little girl eye, were everywhere.  I remember one bountiful year, that my only birthday request, was to spend my birthday money at Blalock's.  I can still remember the topaz 'ring' that I purchased, the leather bag for my jacks, and the pencils and pens I bought that day.  I remember the smells of that divine place as if I just left there - a crazy combination of bird seed, chocolate candy, old hardwood floors and yard goods. The candy counter was just the right height for my little self to go round and round, staring at the brilliant colors of the sugary offerings.  My Dad was quite the candy aficionado, so it wasn't too difficult to talk him into some small bag of yummies.

Years later, my own young family had the good fortune to be located near a honest to goodness variety store, full of the same wonderfulness.  Lots of little hikes with my little ones to indulge ourselves in it all.  My older children will still sigh when discussing all our trips to the neighborhood variety store.  Their last visit there with our neighbors, warranted a photo opportunity.  We all mourned when the small place closed.  Such is the unfortunate fate in this large scale world.

Imagine my excitement when we relocated to our present home and discovered that the local Ben Franklin/Ace Hardware was about the closest thing to my dearly departed variety stores as I would ever find!  Fabrics, kitchen ware, paint products and fake fruit!  I was determined to call it my own.

Living In a small town, you can imagine how much we all count on our friendly Ben/Ace.  Years ago, when caring for my ailing Dad, I would just wonder around in the cornucopia like aisles, enamored with the surprises around each corner.  Some days, I just needed to be away and focus on other things.  And one thing they are good at is Other Things.  Millions of items of every price range.
  

In a small town, a store like this becomes kinda an anchor, a shelter in the storm.  Next to the library, schools and market, an hardware store of this variety is essential.

Imagine my delight at now, in my retirement years, to be a part of all this!  Thinking that a job there required someone in the family dying, I half heartedly applied with my limited job experience.  Imagine my delight to be called to service despite my limitations.  Imagine my delight to be absorbed into the Ben/Ace family without so much a blip.  (Well, I'm assuming, of course!)  One week into my very scary relationship with cashier duty, I was approached by the owner's daughter who said this to me, 'Now, you do understand that we are a family here, right?  You do understand that if you need anything, time off for family things etc, you are only to ask.  Please let us know that we are flexible and want to know if there is anything we can do for you.  We help each other that way.'

If only she knew how scared I was.  Not just working after a 34 year absence, but my mortal fear of messing up or causing a problem.  Or something.  I just was terrified.  Until she shared that with me.  I believed her.  After all, who could be in charge of all that loveliness not be a kindred spirit who understood how I felt?

Wouldn't my dad be tickled by this turn of events?  That the places that we had our best dates and service, I am now involved in a very real way with very real people.  He would love it.

And so do I.....

Festival Begins!

 Our 65th Annual Persimmon Festival began last night!  A ball, a Candlelight tour in Spring Mill State Park, a road rally, a vesper service for the youth, all went on this weekend and that's just the beginning!  Tomorrow the rides will be set up, exhibits registered and tons of behind the scenes procedures shall begin.
But today, I was all about the Community Wide Yard Sale Event.
I scanned signs and looked for houses with cars wrapped around them as I walked the doggies early in the morning.  After scouting things out, I went home to collect Hubby, his cash and our beat up pick up truck, that we have just for this kind of day.

 And we did good.  Really, a turquoise and yellow tablecloth in very nice condition: .25.

 Shanango china cups: .10 ea.  Turquoise and olive green metal tray: .10  Round zippered patio tablecloth: 1.00 in original packaging.  A generous yard of  knit material perfect for my yoga top pattern: 1.00.  LOTS of little girl clothing for all my little grandgirls....

 Hall's Kitchenware Vintage bowl in my favorite blue with morning glories: .25.  (It's chipped but so am I)

And the piece de resistence: a hand-pieced fan quilt top, made from the most delicious vintage fabrics: 10.00!!


See?!


Pretty dang cool.....


May the rest of the week be so fun!!

The Christmas House

 A mellow, snow-sprinkled, hearth centered Christmas Time....
Love to you all....
Deb...

Walk With Me...

Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milan, says, 'A well exercised dog is a good dog.  mama's collection mama says, 'A well exercised mama is a much happier, creative and fun mama.  So it is that my two beloved canines and myself, see to it that we get at least two 45 minute walks per day.  Weather permitting.  And today I want you to go with us on our morning routine.  Our evening walk varies, but generally, the morning route stays the same.  It is off the road and suits my fresh from bed brain and beauty.  Ready?  Here we go!

First stop, around the old Dana Corporation plant.  Now sharing space with a smaller company of unknown name and also used as a warehouse for the city.  The doggies love the green space around it.  Makes for good sniffs and....she says delicately, 'Toileting Issues'....  Just past the city lot is this dandy yellow mansion that has a log cabin on the property.  Beautiful grounds and is a wonderland come snow and Christmas.  We Always stop and smell the roses.  And haven't they been lovely this late spring?  Good hard winter and some good snows.We wander down the road and pass this original log cabin of indeterminate age.  It is now abandoned and falling into disrepair, but I do so love it.  My mind drifts to it's heyday.  Family gatherings, day to day living, and just who installed the picket fence in the backyard?Came across this wonky structure lately....Not sure what it shall be?  Used lumber, visually crooked, well, just there.  Stay tuned for further developments on this randomness...There was a college in our small town long ago.  And a seminary.  But long gone.  Alas, like many other historic structures around town, gone by the flame.  So many fires here.  Abandoned codes?  Poor construction? (see previous photo) All volunteer firemen?  Makes you think.  And Our Claim to Fame:  The childhood home of esteemed astronaut, Virgil "Gus" Grissom is located a block from my home.  I sometimes picture Little Gus playing with toy planes in his front yard, staring at the skies, thinking to himself....'Someday I shall high tail it out of here as far as I can go!! '  Ah, Gus.And here is his memorial to his tragic flight.  It is located on the City Hall property.  I noticed today that our City Hall has no identifying sign.  We just always point visitors and guests to the tall statue of Gus' spaceship.  Funny.

New business in Town.  Last week, they had a special on Ball Python, 49.95 and Ferrets With Cage: 150.00.  I shall wait till next week to buy my dog food....Right next to Penny's Pet Connection:  Johnson's Bait Shop (carport)  Huge selection of all kinds of bait AND good hours; convenient for those spontaneous fishing trips.  All the signs are handmade and one on the front says, 'Nightcrawler' with an extra card with an 's' added to it.  Love it.And you may not know this, but Mitchell was a booming railroad town.  Crossroads, trains running both east/west, north/south.  Along the street that is pictured, were the Shotgun homes, the bordellos and the transient hotels.  When I walk by there on a cold winter evening, I swear I can hear the laughter of past, rowdy times.  People in transition and wandering....We have an abundance of local artists, poets, musicians.  Years ago, two local high school students painted this mural.  I love it.Headed Downtown.  Scout the Mixed Breed loves the opportunity to greet people and chase birds on this street.  My favorite favorite!  Our Carnegie Library!  Thanks Andrew!!You cannot, cannot leave Mitchell without tasting Persimmon Pudding.  Pictured is the Famed Library Persimmon Tree.  I have gathered many a persimmon from it's bountiful limbs.  Of course, you only eat persimmons when they have fallen.  They aren't ripe until they fall you know.Well, well.  Look at this lovely home.  What say we stop here and have some breakfast and start our day?  Bet the owner is a hospitable sort.  Maybe we can sit on her porch and watch the Amish ride by.  Maybe she might serve us sweet tea or Italian sodas....Maybe......