For heaven's sake, Rebecca. Your recounting of Jim's beautiful tear made ME tear up just now. Such a poignant memory. And that comical closing line! What an image it brought forth. I remember well the wedding photo you shared with us - tall Jim in his tweed jacket, tall Rebecca in her simple, vintage style gown. Both full of love. sigh
LOL - thanks, Beth! I had no idea what was going to sneak its way into this post when I started it.... but oooops, those undies made it through the final edit!
(I did run the draft past Mum before publishing - they were her knickers, after all!) 🤣
So many memories from this story, Rebecca. Sorting and ironing the cotton towels Mom had, some from her mother. She also had an Ironrite, a big sit-down sort of professional level roller machine that she taught me to use on shirts, pants, even sheets. To say I didn't help around the house would set me aflame. Wonder what happened to that big old thing? Now, I still have a hand iron stowed in the cupboard that I bought for quilting. Then I gave up quilting. 😁
Oooooh, an Ironrite - that's so cool! I didn't know the name, but the family I au-paired for in Germany had a massive contraption in the laundry room in their cellar which had a kind of heated roller thingy, and you'd feed in sheets and pillow cases and tea towels and stuff, and the theory was that they would come out the other end nice and sleek and flat.... but never when I was operating it! I didn't dare try using it on actual clothes! I didn't like the roller machine in the cellar AT ALL, but I've always been a dab hand with an iron and an ironing board so I could still earn my keep!
I had a lovely phone call from the father of the family after I'd come home to UK for university, saying 'Rebecca, we really miss you, and anyway, C____ can't iron my shirts half as well as you did!' Biggest compliment of my life at the time (I was 18)!
Indeed, a happy compliment for you. But where, my dear, have you been. It's been weeks ... months ... since I've seen a post from you. And this post about the Ironrite is OLD! I hope you were sunbathing on a tropical beach somewhere and not sick in some groty hospital bed. Glad you have you back.
You’re right - I’ve been rather below the radar! All is well - still trying to get to the bottom of some health issues, but in the grand scheme of things heck, I’m fine, just slooooooow. You’re such a sweetheart to ask! All is well, really it is. Things are just, well, tiring - and sadly that includes reading and writing and thinking!
A tropical beach would be lovely (except I’d be whinging about the heat, ha!). I did have a super trip to the west of England for three days last week in the campervan - that was great. Been doing some writing now and again and I’m hoping to publish a post at the weekend. 😘 Thank you so much for your kindness, Sue! x
Things are a bit "tired out," aren't they. I've been there too where I look at the printed word and go blank. Glad to hear you're slowly returning to a more energetic role, but don't let burn-out return too soon. I love your posts. Would like to hear about your camper van trip into the West.
Stories from the hankie. This brought back so many memories. My dad always had a hankie with him while mom and grandma had a tissue in her purse or tucked in her sleeve.
Oh, of course - yes, tucked up the sleeve - that's always an excellent place to keep a hanky! More than one makes it up there sometimes - it can be hanky confetti at getting-undressed-time! 🤣
I think you already know I LOVE hankies! In fact just before reading this, I was chasing the pup around the house as he raced far ahead with one of my Liberty hankies. And Rebecca, you KNOW how much my Liberty hankies mean to me!
I remember the story of Jim. He's a special man. I like men who show their emotions.
And I laughed out loud at your Mum's 'hankie' - was it her knickers or yours?
As a PS: I'm one of those strange folk who loves ironing and I much prefer ironed clothes, hankies, teatowels and whilst I don't bother with sheets, I especially like putting my head on a crisply ironed cool cotton pillow slip at night. But I dare say ironing might disappear with the Baby Boomers.
I enjoy ironing, too - it's so soothing, somehow; almost meditative. I don't iron sheets, either - but ironed pyjamas and pillow cases are an absolute must!
Oh, what fun you had weaving these distinct vignettes into a cohesive tale, and what a delightful result. I am unfamiliar with the Davidia involucrata or pocket handkerchief tree, though a bit of googling tells me it can and does grow here. I'll have to keep a sharper eye out. I can imagine your mother's blushing face and the laughs you've had since over her mistaken handkerchief, and I remember so well the sweet, sweet story of your wedding hanky.
Coincidentally, just before leaving for the farmers market on Saturday, I grabbed something to blot my eyes or nose. It was very windy, and I know what that does to the waterworks of my face. Instead of the usual utilitarian bandana (aka: kerchief), I chose a sweet handkerchief that had been my mother's, covered in pansies and lined in pink embroidery. So reading this today was absolutely perfect!
Oh Elizabeth, what a lovely, lovely moment to have come across your mother's handkerchief!
In an extraordinary quirk of fate, the hanky I'd used for mopping Jim's tear had been missing for absolutely ages - years, in fact - until just a little while ago when I found it in a VERY SAFE PLACE - nowhere near my hanky drawer, but tucked away somewhere completely else because it's so special. It was a little drawer-musty (although of course had been put away clean and ironed, because this is me we're talking about), so I put it into my next whites wash and took great pleasure in restoring it to circulation.
What a wonderful weaving of these tales! Each so clever and even the bits I remember (your glorious wedding & photo) are cast in a delightful shifted way so I can enjoy them once again, anew. Clever Rebecca! 😉
Awww, that's so kind of you, Sabrina - thank you! I still don't know how that pair of Mum's knickers made it into the story - they just kind of did, ha!!! Seems I have no control whatsoever over what I end up writing about - that's what makes this game such fun, I guess! 😘
For heaven's sake, Rebecca. Your recounting of Jim's beautiful tear made ME tear up just now. Such a poignant memory. And that comical closing line! What an image it brought forth. I remember well the wedding photo you shared with us - tall Jim in his tweed jacket, tall Rebecca in her simple, vintage style gown. Both full of love. sigh
Love this post. Brought a tear to my eye. Thx Rebecca!
Thank you, Sue! x
You're so kind, Sharron - thank you from the bottom of my heart! My boy is still very handsome even eleven years on! ❤️
Undies and hankies, school functions and weddings. Another beautiful post. 🤗🤗🥹❤️💕
LOL - thanks, Beth! I had no idea what was going to sneak its way into this post when I started it.... but oooops, those undies made it through the final edit!
(I did run the draft past Mum before publishing - they were her knickers, after all!) 🤣
So many memories from this story, Rebecca. Sorting and ironing the cotton towels Mom had, some from her mother. She also had an Ironrite, a big sit-down sort of professional level roller machine that she taught me to use on shirts, pants, even sheets. To say I didn't help around the house would set me aflame. Wonder what happened to that big old thing? Now, I still have a hand iron stowed in the cupboard that I bought for quilting. Then I gave up quilting. 😁
Oooooh, an Ironrite - that's so cool! I didn't know the name, but the family I au-paired for in Germany had a massive contraption in the laundry room in their cellar which had a kind of heated roller thingy, and you'd feed in sheets and pillow cases and tea towels and stuff, and the theory was that they would come out the other end nice and sleek and flat.... but never when I was operating it! I didn't dare try using it on actual clothes! I didn't like the roller machine in the cellar AT ALL, but I've always been a dab hand with an iron and an ironing board so I could still earn my keep!
I had a lovely phone call from the father of the family after I'd come home to UK for university, saying 'Rebecca, we really miss you, and anyway, C____ can't iron my shirts half as well as you did!' Biggest compliment of my life at the time (I was 18)!
Indeed, a happy compliment for you. But where, my dear, have you been. It's been weeks ... months ... since I've seen a post from you. And this post about the Ironrite is OLD! I hope you were sunbathing on a tropical beach somewhere and not sick in some groty hospital bed. Glad you have you back.
You’re right - I’ve been rather below the radar! All is well - still trying to get to the bottom of some health issues, but in the grand scheme of things heck, I’m fine, just slooooooow. You’re such a sweetheart to ask! All is well, really it is. Things are just, well, tiring - and sadly that includes reading and writing and thinking!
A tropical beach would be lovely (except I’d be whinging about the heat, ha!). I did have a super trip to the west of England for three days last week in the campervan - that was great. Been doing some writing now and again and I’m hoping to publish a post at the weekend. 😘 Thank you so much for your kindness, Sue! x
Things are a bit "tired out," aren't they. I've been there too where I look at the printed word and go blank. Glad to hear you're slowly returning to a more energetic role, but don't let burn-out return too soon. I love your posts. Would like to hear about your camper van trip into the West.
Stories from the hankie. This brought back so many memories. My dad always had a hankie with him while mom and grandma had a tissue in her purse or tucked in her sleeve.
That tree!
Sweet story. 🥰
Oh, of course - yes, tucked up the sleeve - that's always an excellent place to keep a hanky! More than one makes it up there sometimes - it can be hanky confetti at getting-undressed-time! 🤣
I love that tree, too, and doubly love your retelling of the hanky rescue you provided to your Jim on your special day. ❤️
It's a beautiful tree, isn't it? Mum's favourite! And thank you so much. xxx
I think you already know I LOVE hankies! In fact just before reading this, I was chasing the pup around the house as he raced far ahead with one of my Liberty hankies. And Rebecca, you KNOW how much my Liberty hankies mean to me!
I remember the story of Jim. He's a special man. I like men who show their emotions.
And I laughed out loud at your Mum's 'hankie' - was it her knickers or yours?
As a PS: I'm one of those strange folk who loves ironing and I much prefer ironed clothes, hankies, teatowels and whilst I don't bother with sheets, I especially like putting my head on a crisply ironed cool cotton pillow slip at night. But I dare say ironing might disappear with the Baby Boomers.
LOL - it was HER knickers! 🤣
I enjoy ironing, too - it's so soothing, somehow; almost meditative. I don't iron sheets, either - but ironed pyjamas and pillow cases are an absolute must!
Oh, what fun you had weaving these distinct vignettes into a cohesive tale, and what a delightful result. I am unfamiliar with the Davidia involucrata or pocket handkerchief tree, though a bit of googling tells me it can and does grow here. I'll have to keep a sharper eye out. I can imagine your mother's blushing face and the laughs you've had since over her mistaken handkerchief, and I remember so well the sweet, sweet story of your wedding hanky.
Coincidentally, just before leaving for the farmers market on Saturday, I grabbed something to blot my eyes or nose. It was very windy, and I know what that does to the waterworks of my face. Instead of the usual utilitarian bandana (aka: kerchief), I chose a sweet handkerchief that had been my mother's, covered in pansies and lined in pink embroidery. So reading this today was absolutely perfect!
Oh Elizabeth, what a lovely, lovely moment to have come across your mother's handkerchief!
In an extraordinary quirk of fate, the hanky I'd used for mopping Jim's tear had been missing for absolutely ages - years, in fact - until just a little while ago when I found it in a VERY SAFE PLACE - nowhere near my hanky drawer, but tucked away somewhere completely else because it's so special. It was a little drawer-musty (although of course had been put away clean and ironed, because this is me we're talking about), so I put it into my next whites wash and took great pleasure in restoring it to circulation.
Happy, happy sigh. xxx
Awwwww!!! You must have been SO relieved to find it! Happy sighing with you.
What a wonderful weaving of these tales! Each so clever and even the bits I remember (your glorious wedding & photo) are cast in a delightful shifted way so I can enjoy them once again, anew. Clever Rebecca! 😉
Awww, that's so kind of you, Sabrina - thank you! I still don't know how that pair of Mum's knickers made it into the story - they just kind of did, ha!!! Seems I have no control whatsoever over what I end up writing about - that's what makes this game such fun, I guess! 😘
Such sweet vignettes, Rebecca, of handkerchief moments and handkerchief lookalikes!
Awww Amy, thank you very much - that's really kind of you! x