Use it or lose it
by chuckofish
Today’s lesson is one I have learned over the years: stop saving things for later! Use them now. I learn this every weekend anew when I go to estate sales and there are linens galore that have been put away “for later” or for “company” and then never used.
I was reminded of this again when I received a vintage linen kitchen towel in the mail that I had won on eBay. (Yes, I also collect these.)
It had clearly never been used. It even sported the original Woodward and Lothrop price tag pinned to it. How long has it been since they pinned on price tags? Or, for that matter, since anything cost a dollar? Or since Woodward and Lothrop closed its doors?
I say, use the good china! Light the candles! Bring out the cloth napkins! When my kids were growing up, we always did. It gives meals a certain gravitas and everyday elegance which is lacking in our do-it-fast, throw-away world. There is no denying that even McDonalds hamburgers taste better on Wedgwood.
On another note, I went to the book fair at our local Unitarian Church this weekend. It is my experience that Unitarians and “ethical humanists” in general, have the best book sales, and once again I came away with two bulging bags of books. Some of them are duplicates and I will send them off to daughters #1 and #2.
But quite a few I bought for myself. Ah, such a satisfying (and cheap) indulgence!
It is, however, difficult to decide what to read after reading three novels by Willa Cather. I mean how do you follow that? I may have to resort to some mindless fun like this:
In other news, the boy, who is the head coach of the J.V. lacrosse team of one of our local public high schools–one known, let us say, more for its academic prowess than for its sports prowess–led his team to victory (in overtime) in their first game. (And the game was against a R.C. school, known conversely for being a sporting powerhouse.)
Way to go, Hounds! (Greyhounds, that is, not Hounds of Hell–that would be the other team. But now I am mixing up my religious orders. Mea culpa.)
What did you do this weekend?
dual personalities 
What a lovely weekend! Jealous 🙂
I had completely forgotten the pinning on of price tags! Such a small detail, but somehow it resonates. How many times were you pricked by a price tag pin? Lovely post and you are quite correct. I shall make it my objective to unpack all of grandmother’s china and repack it so that I can access easily and use it!
When Mary was here, she told me I need to have a couple of place settings of china. I am too old for boring Target plates! Haha.
Also, what is the “American Bloomsbury” book?? Prof. Milder always called my guys the American Bloomsbury “without the sex” 😉
It is a book by Susan Cheever about your guys. I am reading it now and will send it to you after. It is written at my level, I would say, and not terribly intellectual and academic. But it is interesting!
Hey, now. You have better dishes and silverware than most people your age!
Friday was quite a day wasn’t it?!! Pretty exciting stuff. I love that pic of the kids goofing after the big win. That was also MY first win over the Jesuits. After years of taking beatings it felt pretty sweet!
Hope you are savoring it! Of course, for those jv-ers, the experience of trouncing the Jesuits their first time out will be hard to beat.