Vacation - Recharging - Restoring (Feb 2009)
It has been a great time for me - these past few months. I
have been learning so many new things lately; great and tasty recipies, how to groom big slobbery dogs, how to breathe deep
and laugh hard, and the delicate work that is ... antique restoration. My first attempt - a 1940 RCA Victor Radio Console.
My best friend Kim and I have been working on this great radio she picked up from a lady on Craig's list for $50.
It feels so good to be able to bring something so old back
to life. As I sautered wires and cleaned up old tubes on the amplifier - it dawned on me that someone almost 68 years
ago was doing the very same thing. The lady who sold it to us said that it had belonged to her Grandmother, but that she just
didn't have any more room in her garage to keep it. Strange how this was so easily let go. I think of my nana and how I am
so glad she gave me her old sowing machine. I have purposed in my heart I am going to learn how to sew, just so I can use
it. I am thinking that when I step on the pedal and make a good stich I will hear nana say, "very good Pamelita," and
I will smile remembering her. (she's not gone yet, spunky lil thing that she is, but I now have something that was hers
and that she loved)
I downloaded some old 1940's radio programs and a bought a
used mp3 player off EBAY and plugged them into the amplifier's auxiliary inputs. I've spent the last week sitting
on the floor next to the mono speaker anticipating "The Shadow's" next move. I also have to admit that even thought I own
a digital recording studio, Billie Holiday sounds better on this one speakered console than on my $800 studio
monitors.
I am reminded once again that newer isn't necessarily better
and that there are some things that when built well will last a lifetime. To those who took such pride in building this things oh so long ago - I tip my hat to you. Next up -
an upright piano purchased from another lady who just needed more room. *sigh* One girl's trash is another girl's treasure....*S*
I encourage you all to write gramma/grandpa a letter. Ask them if there is anything
special to them that they would like to pass on. Make an heirloom, something that has history, something that was important
to them growing up. It doesn't have to be expensive, just special. In fact I think Gramma would say that life should be something
along those lines....don't you?
blessings to you all
Pamela
