Mid-Century modern – One Day Wonders with JBK

Some may call me a basket case; that’s okay, I’ve been called worse.

Out of the bunch, I think only two have been purchased. The rest were either given to me or I inherited. It makes no difference; I love them all.

In a previous life I made one. I learned enough that I won’t be doing that again. It takes work, space and skill. Another rightfully belongs to my daughter, Naomi. She made it at a long-ago summer camp. To date, she has not been bitten by the basket bug to make any more.

They may have been useful in their day. Apparently the day is over.

Baskets are not all I inherited. My hutch residing in the dining room is chock full of dishes and tea cups that I never asked for. On Facebook I have noted that a china hutch is no longer desirable. That day is over too.

Every once in a while someone will repost that notice that I have quit reading. There was more to the list of undesirables that I house as well. What does a person do that has all these reminders of family members that moved to their eternal home?

Some things I use today fondly recalling my Grandma Andrews standing at her kitchen table busy at work with her enamel mixing bowl. Or drying dishes with my mothers antiquated dish towels that are not nearly as useful as the new ones available today. Thinking of these two women and their ‘tools’ of the trade bring me joy.

It has been said, ‘You can’t take it with you.’ How I wish some of the stuff could have gone with them!

All that being said, I learned my granddaughter, Willow, loves antiques. It thrills the very cockles of my heart that I might be able to dump some of my junk on her! I mean give it to her if she has interest.

A few years ago, we went antiquing together with her Boo when I learned of her love for vintage. Going through the store, I thought, “Good grief girl, you could shop at my house free of charge!”

I since then have given it more thought; she may be more into the Mid-century modern. At some point I’m going to have to inform her that’s not antique. It may be old and trending, but it was ugly then and ugly now.

Oops! An opinion just slipped out. I will have to administer grace to all Mid-century lovers, just as you will have to extend grace that my home looks like that of an old woman.

There is nothing wrong with making your home a place of joy as long as we keep in mind this place is not our eternal home.

I’m betting if we can dump the junk in preparation for that final move; family will be most grateful.

People in my circle may think I’m taking a stab at them. Not so. Confession time has come for me. There are probably more addictions than I can count, some worse than others. I hope mine isn’t as costly and heartbreaking as the few I’ve listed.

Drinking and cigarettes are socially acceptable. Both are life-shortening. Once hooked, it’s tough trying to stop. If you are a smoker trying to quit, don’t give up. Having seen people in their last days of life due to smoking, let me assure you it is not pretty. I have noticed cigarettes are new and improved. Back in the day, it was obvious when a smoker was nearby. There was no denying the scent they emitted.

Drinking is not so lucky, it still smells. It too, is hard to strop. I’ve visited with folks who have been on the receiving end of drinkers turning mean under the influence. Often professionals are called to defend a spouse or children.

Ditto the drug users. The life they destroy is more than just their own. For families it’s an ache that never goes away; making birthdays and holidays haunted by the MIA relative.

My addiction is watching the home improvement shows on TV. There was a time seeing upgrades I never thought about, made my home seem lacking. Except for a couple things I won’t bore you with, I’m content. It’s hard to wean yourself off this stuff when your husband has been a remodeler for so many years. He knows how to do just about everything, and nothing pleases him more than pleasing me.

Do you see my point in how our addictions do sift down to those around us?

Sadly, (?) more shows come to my attention. Our DVR is full of them. One noticeable thing; homeowners are over the moon happy with the new renovation. Really? Just once, I’d like to see them at the unveiling of a fixer upper and say, “I hate it, what have you done with my house?”

I wonder if there are that many people needing a home reno, or turn to these professional stars to get on national television? I have noted there are a lot of people with poor taste. Mid-century modern is all the rage; but not my cup of tea. Do they truly like it or just want what is trending? Inquiring minds need to know.

Looking at my own home, trying to put a label on what I live with. Nothing modern. Some traditional, more than a few antiques, some nicely broke in. Mom called it early attic. Admittedly, my home might take on the look of Grandma’s house, but it’s comfortable, and I am a Grams. One heartbreaking thing; I don’t think the kids will want anything when I move heavenward.

When I get to heaven is gonna be out-of-sight, out-of-mind anyway. I’m thinking that place God is preparing for me is my heart; getting prepped for meeting him. I consider that a renovation that will be divinely perfect. My new place will be peaceful, beautiful, full of warmth, lots of loved ones; and the best part is getting to hang around with our Creator.

There will be work too. Does that surprise you? It will involve doing what we love, so it won’t feel like ‘work’ and it will be honorable to God.

The Good Book says we well be eating there too/ Right now, cooking is not in my heart. I can only hope a kitchen isn’t in my heavenly home. Let someone with a heart big enough to hold a kitchen have it, I only like to eat. Or maybe my heart renovation will want a kitchen. He does change hearts; I’ll have to wait and see.

Tag: Mid-Century modern

A Basket Case

Addict or Fanatic?