Dolls

A few days ago, Conley and I were playing with our American Girl dolls.

She asked me about the dolls I had as a little girl. I told her that I had my dolls in a box and did she want to look at them. We went to my bedroom closet and opened the box. Whew!!! Did they stink!!!

My very first baby doll that is at least 60 plus years old was covered with a white chalky material. She looked like a ghost. Her legs and arms are made of a rubber product and both hands are gone. She has brown blotchy marks on her legs and her toes have nail polish on them. Conley stepped away in horror. I was surprised by the condition of the doll but I knew what happened.

ALERT Don't ever store dolls in basements or attics! It was a few years ago that I found my dolls along with precious memoirs in the basement. My dolls had mold on them. I decided to clean them with a mild bleach solution and stored them in this clean plastic box with their clothes, many crocheted for me by my mom who died in 1964.

Alas the weeks, months, years of closure in a plastic container did nothing to improve their sorry condition. So I tossed the clothes in the washer and sprayed the dolls with Febreeze. My baby doll needed more attention. I literally scraped the white substance off her head, eyes, ears, nose and mouth. When she sat up, she looked like she had cataracts. I had to wrap her in a towel so Conley wouldn't have to look at her deteriorating body. The more time I spent with her, the more I realized she would have to be thrown away. Should I keep her head? Maybe just cut off her legs and arms? Her fabric body with the little sound box that makes her cry when she lays down also has this awful odor. Across her chest is a piece of narrow adhesive tape that has my mother's hand writing and says "Francie" with a star. My sister has the same doll (in much superior condition, I might add) and mom wanted to help us tell them apart. Here is a picture of her after I cleaned her up a bit.

 
 
 
 What to do with such a precious childhood treasure. No daughters to give her to and the granddaughters have their own loved dolls. She is in such a state of distress that I think she will just have to go. I'm sure there would be no discussion to an alternative if I left her in the box and years later when the house is cleaned out she would be tossed in a dumpster without a thought. I'm considering preserving her memory with a photo and her last set of clothes made by mom in a memory box.

I know I hold the past close and dear but I am surprised at the emotion of giving her up. Too bad I didn't have the same emotion about preserving her. Well, the Bible tells us,"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy (mold) and where thieves break in and steal." This is good advice. It isn't the doll really but what she represents, love of a parent for her child. That is God's message too, His love can not be compared to the shabby, broken material possessions we gather around us on earth. Jesus goes on to say, "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

If I keep these verses in mind, it will be easier to clear out my earthly "treasures."

Post note: My sister read this blog and offered to give my baby doll a new body. So she left her old body and is awaiting her new. Picture to follow. So here she is with her new body and clothes, now on display, not all boxed in.

Summer Time

I love summer! This summer started early with a visit from Natalie (3) and Jack (5).

Then a quick trip to Savannah to see Cooper and Tucker, now 5, graduate from pre-school. They do it right in the south, caps & gowns and a great program!

A summer tradition, chalk sidewalk art and hopscotch. Thanks Conley!

Can't say enough about enjoying the flowers and trees throughout the summer. It is such a joy to begin the day looking at the landscape. Even on rainy days.

Stay tuned, there will be more lazy hazy days of summer to come, I haven't even included our water park birthday party!

Transatlantic

Bonnie and I have been friends for ____ years, lets just say since our college years. When she invited me to travel with her, I was on board. All I had to do was send in my $$ and 6 months later we met in Miami on the ship, Rivera of the Oceania cruise ship line. A bottle of champagne awaits us, bon voyage. Two of her friends from California joined us, mostly for dinner and a couple excursions. We had lots of laughs and girl chatter over scrumptious food! Our first port is King's Wharf, Bermuda. We toured all over the island on a beautiful day. Oh, to be on those pink sand beaches! The houses are painted in multiple colors with white roofs and lots of churches. Our one shopping stop in Hamilton was fruitless. For me, the pictures are my souvenir. The next day we sailed on a glass bottom boat to see the reefs. When ships sail into Bermuda ports they need a local pilot to navigate around the reefs and 400 ship wrecks. We enjoyed this cruise around the island but the fish scatter with the shadow of the boat, it's definitely not the same as snorkeling over a reef. Another beautiful day, more shops and a rum swizzler, the local drink. This next picture shows a tour bus and the wonderful flowers of the island. The next four days we are at sea, sunny, breezy, 60s. Lots to do on board ship: art classes, lectures, entertainment, dining, high tea and for our friends the casino. Then we come upon the jewel of the Atlantic, the garden isle, Madeira Island, Portugal, at dawn. Our tour includes the city of Funchal and a cable car ride to Monte then to the botanical gardens. Everyone has a vegetable garden and flower garden, many grow bananas. The decorative cobblestone streets are typical of Portugal. We also stopped at an embroidery factory as Maderia is known for their embroidery. The local drink is poncho served in shot size glasses. After climbing the hills of Monte and the gardens we take a Poncho break. Maderia Island has won many European garden competitions. The weather here is much like southern California. Another couple days at sea before our next port in Tangiers, Morocco. The weather gets a little rough and we don't go out on the decks. Time to read and watch movies: Elizabeth, The Kings Speech, The Full Monty, Anna Karenia, The Impossible, Casablanca and Argo. Finished the book "Unbroken". We arrive in Tangiers, our guide is Syied (phonetic spelling). First stop is a performance of dancers, gymnasts, a magician and musicians in a beautiful tent. The non-alcoholic drink, mint tea. We drive into the countryside to Hercules Caves. Large caves where the Atlantic rushes in is located at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, the Straits of Gibraltar. Hugely commercialized. We drive on to the light house Cap Spartel also at the entranced to the Mediterranean. The vendors add to the color of this scene. As we travel the land, our guide tells us the history of Morocco, the economy (20% unemployment) but many new businesses and also a primer on the 5 pillars of Islam. Today is their holy day and many in the city go to the mosque. The market place is busy and he guides us through the old city, the kasbah. So colorful and the sounds of the call to prayer. We were given the choice to shop on our own or go to a shop that the guide suggests, the whole group followed our guide. All the time in the kasbah we had men trying to sell us jewelry and purses, they were relentless. I guess we felt if left on our own we would be harassed too much and maybe get lost in the winding walkways of the old city. It was a wonderful experience to see this living, thriving, ancient neighborhood and observe the people and their crafts. We returned to the ship and sailed another day to Barcelona, Spain. No touring there but home calls me. Bonnie and I say good-bye to our plush accommodations and wonderful service. Cheers, dear friend, a great adventure.

Winter Break Savannah

Today is the perfect day to reminisce about our recent trip to Savannah. On winter's last day, I expected Michigan to look a little more like spring, so maybe a little spring thinking will help. This really is today! We love going to see grandchildren, no one in the world will greet you with such love and enthusiasm! Hugs, kisses, smiles, ahhh. These are the ones, givers of such good gifts. They also want to show us their Christmas gift, a trampoline where I sprouted noodle legs. This book, one of their favorites, is 53 pages long! They tell me when I say the wrong word, oops. It was all about a bus with children that shrank and went into the eye, ear and nose. Now that's a fun way to learn your anatomy. Saturday mornings can be quiet, even with two sets of twins! Mom and Dad have a rare moment to enjoy some cuddling. Later that day, Ang and I get some pampering at the Westin spa, yes it was heavenly. Tom, Dan and the children checked out the local boat show. Each boat was to be toured. Another new addition to the back yard is there new play house from Uncle David! Lots of imagination and stories to tell about playing in here. Cooper the policeman who pretty much tears the place up and Claire fixing the meals. Then of course a monster shows up. Great fun! Between a wonderful seafood dinner at the Westin, great worship at Savannah Christian and even a visit to a War World II Air Force museum, we enjoyed our stay. One big disappointment for grandma is that she missed seeing the tooth fairy. Claire's loose tooth just wouldn't come out until Monday morning before school. Even though I slept in her room for four nights it wouldn't leave her mouth. I always did want to see that tooth fairy. Maybe next time, there are going to be a lot more loose teeth at this house, right Hudson, Cooper and Tucker?

Winter Break

We have had an old fashion winter in Michigan,lots of snow, but then it thaws and we begin to think of the possibility of spring. Time after time, just when we think it's the last snow plow or sidewalk shovel, here comes the snow, like today. Yesterday it was 50 F. I wouldn't call us snow birds, by any stretch of the imagination, but last month we needed to step away from snow for more than a day or two. Must be the entire country is experiencing interesting weather, we did head south but not necessarily to warm weather but lots of warm southern hospitality. How fun to spend an evening with Angie's family. Aunt Patsy made us a wonderful beef stew and cornbread muffins, yum! After breakfast with a candle on his blueberry muffin, Tom celebrates again after dinner! Mary & Larry surprise Tom with a cake and party for his big birthday. We hadn't been to Gulf Shores AL since spring break in 1995. The area has many more businesses but the beach remains pristine. This day was about 40F and blustery. Mary doesn't let grass grow under her feet, she is a woman on the move, very good for me. We hiked (Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge), walked, shopped and went geo-caching. Spent an afternoon at the beach flying kites and wonderful meals (thanks Larry for the beer butt chicken and fresh shrimp). I learned to play dominoes and we visited a couple local joints. Here are a few pics of beach and surf and a heron sneaking up on a bucket of ghost shrimp. Those pelicans are riding a wave from a lake, must be lots of fish under the water. Years ago, Tom had this kite in the air all afternoon but this day it remained on the beach. It didn't begin to dampen the beauty of wind, sun, salt air and the joy of being at this beautiful place in February. Thanks Mary & Larry for your invitation and hospitality. No picture of Larry who is working in his home office with his assistant, Rock. Stay tuned for Winter Break in Savannah.