March 06: Spines

The books spines of some of my favorite authors; Mark de Castrique, Phillip DePoy and David Dickinson.  They are being appropriately guarded by the best librarian, Nancy Pearl.

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 06: Chair

Many years ago, I worked for a company that moved into a wonderful old building in downtown San Francisco.  Our phones weren't yet working, so I befriended an elderly, semi-retired gentleman whose office was next door.  His office was filled with solid oak furniture that you just knew he had bought new in the 1940s, perhaps.    I told him how much I loved his furniture and if he did decide to fully retire and would be interested in selling any pieces, I'd love to know.

About a year later, we were informed our building was being torn down--such a travesty--and we all had to move.  Coming back from lunch one day, I see my coworker moving a captains chair into our office.  When I ask, she whispered, "He's giving them to us!".  In return for hugs from Kate and me, Mr. Thomas gave us a four-section barristers bookcase and a pair of captains chairs.  Kate, bless her, decided since I was the reader, I should take a bookcase and that we split the chairs.

Kate and I have lost touch, and I'm certain Mr. Thomas has long passed on.  Yet, each time I pass my bookcase, now filled with cookbooks, or look at my chair, I send the thoughts of love.

 

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 05: Begins with "i"

For all the years I've driving down this street, I don't know that I've ever seen this shop open.  It has stock, and hours posted.  I was even there when the sign said it should be open, but it wasn't.  Now, out of curiosity,  I'm going to start paying attention.

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 04: Dish

Years ago, my parents took a vacation; just the two of them.  They did this every other year, leaving my sister and me with my grandparents.  That may be part of why their marriage has lasted 68 years.

Anyway, in about 1957 they went to the Black Hills.  On their way, in a small gift shop in Minnesota, my mother saw a small plate that she just loved.  She paid $7.00 for it, which was a lot to her, at the time.  That little plate served as a candy dish, an ashtray, a plate for cookies, celery, carrots and many other things.  She even did an India ink drawing of the boy in the center.

After I left home, she knew I'd always loved it, so she gave both the plate and the drawing to me.  Curious, I turned it over to see whether there as an indication of the maker.  Oh, yes there was.

The plate bore the signature of Bjørn Wiinblad, who later when on to design for Rosenthal and Nymolle.  What's interesting is that his is the only signature on the plate; no other markings.  

The plate is now on the stand and mom's drawing has been archivally framed.  I still love both pieces.

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 03: Baggage

Years of business travel taught me to pack very light.  These are the only two pieces I usually use for a week-long trip.  They even worked for winter trips to Canada.   The bottom is a very-expandable computer case with lots of compartments, even one for clothes.

The top is actually a diaper tote but has a ton of pockets and lots of room.  My purse, along with everything else I could possibly need on the plane, all fit in the red bag.

When I'm not traveling, the red tote is my crochet bag.  It goes almost everywhere I go.  My purse and crochet, crochet case of hooks, etc., and camera on the inside, Kindle in the front pocket, drink bottle in one end pocket and collapsible cane (if needed) in the other end pocket.  I'm ready for anything.

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 02: Chest

Found many years ago in a small antique shop, my solid cedar chest is filled with scarves and wool for needlepoint.  It is also stacked high with quilts made by my two grandmothers, a blanket, and the crocheted blanket that came with T.S. Elliot when I adopted him.  It's a piece I absolutely love.

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 01: Yellow

This crafting tote was given to me by the husband of a fellow charity yarner after his wife had passed.  Although I passed all the knitting items on to a friend, I kept and use the tote in her memory.  Filled with yellow yarn and with two of my stained-glass lamps, I felt it was the perfect photo to represent "yellow."