Weakness

A few days ago I ran across an old acquaintance. So much has happened in her life over the last few years. Her father in his 90,s passed away recently. 3 years ago her husband passed away and a few years before that her sister and brother.

A huge stately home in the nearby little town and she is at the end of distributing contents to family members. She asked me if I would like to come by and look at what was left and see if there was anything I would be interested in. I am not a yard sale person - but - an estate like this made memories of times in the past surface.

I have downscaled a number of times and want nothing else - but could not resist an early morning meeting with my friend. Camera in my hand and yearning so to take a picture of this home. The wonderful old trees were skimming the ground and the shade so dense that I could not take a picture. The wide front porch filled with aging wicker and a large swing.

This home had been in the family over a 100 years and I could almost feel the walls whispering to me as I wandered through the almost empty rooms that were piled with boxes and items from another era.

I chose not to view the 5 rooms upstairs but looked through the kitchen items left. A very old metal knife (I could use), just my size was a very old small platter, several granite bowls and a beautiful glass vinegar cruet ( I like to use them as a small flower holder).

Books are piled everywhere. Old and musty books and I am returning where I can sit for several hours looking through them (do not need these) spotted a 1950 Better Homes and Garden Gardening Book and favorite book from my childhood - a 1933 Nancy Drew mystery.

Going out the door I spotted a gardening pad and a pair of deer skin gardening gloves. She said they were her mother's. The gloves slipped on my hands like they were made for me. As I write this post -the thought comes to mind - do I dare wear them. I almost feel as though the owner who is no longer on this earth - might smile. What do you think?

Now to the cellar - oh my everything through the years must have been saved. Saw nothing and then I spotted the very small drop leaf table with one chair. The paint peeling and its old condition made it very appealing to me. I ask about it and was told this was her mother's kitchen table from many years ago and no one wanted it. "I want it" so next week I will pick it up in my trusty truck and put it on my small front porch. I visualize a plant on it and times I will sit and dream, have a cup of tea, write or even read. Also picked up a very small and old garden basket.

Next week I will also pick up a dozen old flower pots. So One Woman is smiling at her wonderful gifts. They are old and have character. Hope that describes me. But then the number may say old but why is it she feels no different then 25 years ago?