2005
started off on a sad note with the death of my 86 year old mother in
law in early January. She went into a nursing home after a stroke
left her paralyzed a number of years ago. It wasn't an ideal situation
but she and the family had adjusted. She became very ill at the end
of 2004 and could never gather the strength to recover. At 86 she had,
had a long though not always happy life. May she rest in peace.
In February
we decided to take on a new venture. We decided to take a space in a
antique mall in order to sell some of our old books and collectibles.
We were a little nervous about taking on yet another rental expense,
but we have a lot of stuff we've collected over the years. Since we
are incorrigible pack rats and we can't pass up a bargain, we just continue
to accumulate in spite of our own better judgment.
Although
we sell collectible books and other objects on
pretty much full time, there are certain items and certain types
of books which simply will sell better in a mall setting where people
can see and touch the items. So we were looking for a mall space, and
coincidentally, a woman came to me to have a book repaired, and she
was a co owner of a pretty nice antique mall not far from our studio.
We immediately liked her straight forward honest personality, and her
sensible approach to the business. She was obviously knowledgeable about
the antiques and collectibles market, and her obvious intelligence and
liberal politics helped persuade us to try a space in that mall.
We haven't
regretted that decision for one single minute. We've sold enough to
meet our original expectations and more. We've met some really nice
people, other dealers, and all of them understand the craziness of the
collecting disease. I'd wondered if I might be jumping into a pool of
other old fart collectors, but that is far from the case. Oh, there
are other older dealers but they are not stuffy at all, they are quite
interesting. By far though, the majority are younger, and hipper, and
we are expanding our knowledge daily about mid century modern collectibles.
While I don't want to personally own any of the objects of that era
because I lived it once already, I have no trouble at all buying and
selling those objects.
So we're
looking forward to continuing the mall adventure.
In March
I had another birthday.
At 61,
I admit that occasionally I gaze on the young with a little envy and
more than a little sadness because I realize that that part of my life
is over. I will never be able to experience that feeling of being young
again, with a future of endless possibility before me. Or feel again
that sense of invulnerability that goes with youth. My future is still
before me, of course, only it's much shorter now, and I am constantly
reminded that it is actually no longer true that anything is possible,
and I do regret some things not done. My body does not fail to tell
me very loudly and clearly every day that it is not going to last forever.
But, you'll
not hear me agonizing all that much about the passing years, for I am
grateful to have a birthday each year. It means I'm not dead yet. Right
now I can hardly wait to be 65 or 66 because that will mean I can qualify
for Medicare and maybe get my knee and whatever else is broken fixed
without the major hassle of going through the public health system.
Yet, I've not let a little thing like age deter me entirely from exploring
new things.
A few
of years ago I became interested in book repair (see above-- we own
lots of old books many of which need repair). As a result of learning
repair, I developed
a workshop teaching a particular skill. So in June, I taught
my workshop in Oregon. Once again, it was well received and although
I do nothing but complain and have anxiety attacks before each and every
workshop, I actually leap into the actual workshop with much enthusiasm
and end up loving it and coming away with a great high afterwards. Those
adrenaline highs are hard to beat, really. This time I also happened
to overhear a group of my students talking about what a great workshop
it was and that was such an ego boost. So I guess I will keep doing
this until they get bored with me.
The bonus
was that I got to see my son and daughter in law in Seattle, and then
visit with two good friends of mine who moved to Portland a number of
years ago. It was great to to know that we could pick up from where
we left off, and know that we would always be friends.
Oops!
How coud I forget? We adopted
our cat in April.
Also last
August an old jewelry account came back and placed a huge order.
They had previously been my best customer, and I was really unhappy
when they decided to stop carrying my
jewelry aabout 8 years ago. But I guess there were personnel changes,
discussions and rethinking and they decided they wanted my things again.
It must have been a good decision for them because I just got another
large order the other day. For me, it's a love hate thing. I love the
account and I am very happy to have the money, but I have been making
this item for so very long that I must have made thousands, and thousands,
or at least it feels like that. And again, it's about the old body.
The shoulder is giving out a little now, and there's a tendency to tendinitis
when I over do. I'll make ‘em as long as I can, though.
The worst
aspect of last year has been dealing with losing yet another friend
to the lure of the West Coast. I am somewhat devastated by the thought
of my friend's impending move. But I also realize that all will not
be lost when she moves to Sacramento. We will be able to maintain our
friendship through e-mail and phone calls and I'll just have to see
if I can find a place to teach a workshop nearby. Heh.
The happiest
possible news for the new year, I've saved for last. Although I'm almost
afraid to say it. My daughter is pregnant and the baby is due in June.
I am so ready to be a gramma again. I am very good at that, and it's
totally age appropriate for me.
2006?
Bring it on. I’m ready.
Happy
New Year!