Monday, May 20, 2013

What Would They Think?

As I spent the majority of this Victoria Day long weekend performing the DIY'er 3S's (Stripping, Sanding and Staining) my thoughts began to wander. I will admit that during tedious tasks, they tend to venture far and away. This time as I worked on a new-to-me antique piece (which will be revealed later once it's in situ), I began to ponder:

'What would people from 100 years ago think of our modern love of all things old, tarnished, rusty, crazed and chippy?'

I could just imagine the spirited conversations I'd have with two of my favorite Victorian / Edwardian characters if I could travel back in time and try to explain...

Me: "Detective William Murdoch! What a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance."

Det. Murdock (graciously tipping his hat): "I'm sorry, have we met?"

Me:  "Well, no, not really - but I have been a huge fan of your work for many years."

Det. Murdoch: "Well, that's very kind. Can I be of assistance?"

Me:  "Why yes, you may.  I've traveled from the future, you see..."

Det. Murdoch's big, beautiful, er *ahem* brown eyes light up: "The FUTURE! How exciting! Then time travel really does become possible! Do you have flying automobiles, computing machines, spartan homes, cinematographs and silver suits that resemble steam automatons?"

Me: "Erm, no ... other than the computing machines, that is. We use them to help us hunt down old junk to decorate our homes with -- like rusty farm tools and chipped wooden furniture."

Det. Murdoch:

Me, realizing his skeptisim: "No honestly! We covet anything vintage and antique! We use the computing machines to communicate with other 'junk lovers' and to outbid people from all over the world for the very best junk!"

Det. Murdoch:  

Me: "I guess this all sounds rather odd..."

Det. Murdoch, smiling sweetly: "Not at all... but there is a friend I'd like to introduce you to. Her name is Julia and I think you'd benefit from staying with her for awhile."

Me, knowing full well the good Dr. Julia Ogden heads the Toronto Women's Lunatic Asylum: "Some other time perhaps, I must be off!"

And with that, I depart 1900 Toronto to next drop in on some of my British ancestors across the pond. However, my coordinates seem to be off and I have landed just outside the small town of Ripon, North Yorkshire.

Me: "Oh my! It's Downton Abbey! I see that Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham is paying a visit today as well. What luck!"

The Countess turned with a start and shot me one of her trademark stares. "Excuse me, but all servants must use the entrance at the rear."

Me: "Oh, but I am not a servant. I just dropped in from the future for a visit."

The Countess, sitting upon a bench and motioning me to do the same, shook her head sadly: "Sounds like someone has read one too many an H.G. Wells novels."

Me: "I've come to ask you about antiques."

The Countess: "Antiques? Like that dreadful vase dear Matthew thankfully smashed to bits?"

Me: "Well, yes, I guess so. For you see, in the future, it's all the rage to collect old things, and..."

The Countess: "Why? Do they not manufacture new things anymore?"

Me, beginning to squirm from her sharp gaze and even sharper tongue: "Well, of course, but we treasure items like old tarnished silver and ..."

The Countess: "Do you not have housemaids to polish it for you?"

Me, now sweating: "Ummmm... no... but I wanted to know if..."

The Countess, with a pound of her cane:  "My dear, you must get to the point or I shall have to insist you take your leave immediately."

Me: "Yes, well, er, I... well, I, um I collect things from your era like my prized 1906 candlestick telephone."

The Countess: "You are referring to that instrument of torture I was forced to use once? Oh my, I had hoped that monstrosity wouldn't have caught on."

Me, finally getting my thoughts together:  "Oh yes, it caught on alright... almost TOO well. Anyway, I was wondering if your generation collected antiques too. You know, treasures from the past."

The Countess: "My dear. We do not 'collect'. We INHERIT."

And with a tone of finality that left no question the discussion was ended, she stood and made her way to the grandiose Abbey.

Sigh. THAT didn't go very well.


Oh well, if I can barely explain this hobby to friends and family, how the heck did I expect to do so with these two?

It's inexplicable, I guess.
 

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22 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you Elizabeth! It was fun to write too.

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  2. Replies
    1. Thank you! Something different from the usual...

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  3. One of the pages I follow on FB asked their readers what time period we'd return to and why. I immediately commented Late Victorian era/early 1900s so that I could buy all the beaded purses and marbles I could get my hands on!!!!

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    1. Ha! Me too! Oh the purses and marbles you could collect! (They would think you daft, though you know....) ;)

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  4. What a fun post! Makes me wonder what future generations will be thinking about our style:-)

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    1. Ha! Yes! I think my next time travel post should be in the future... now I feel like Marty McFly.

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  5. Oh I love this. Isn't it funny that we like what looks old and they just wanted new and shiny. However, they did have some of the best that was probably 2 or 3 hundred years old and used it all every day. Cute, cute post. Can't wait to see your project. Thanks for following and for linking up to Inspre Me. I am your newest follower also. Hugs, Marty

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    1. Thank YOU Marty! I am so glad I found your blog too... looking forward to reading more. Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment!

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  6. Hi Maureen, That's funny stuff, thanks for sharing! Gina

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  7. Maureen,
    Thanks so much for stopping by!! Do you watch Mr. Shelfridge on masterpiece Theater too? love that show too!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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    1. I haven't seen that one... must look into it. I haven't seen it advertised up here. Thanks for letting me know about it!

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  8. Love your post! Would love for you to share at Simple & Sweet Fridays. New Follower!

    Jody

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    1. Thank you Jody and Stan and welcome! Thank you for the invite; I made sure I went over right away and joined your party - I look forward to visiting you regularly, thanks for stopping by!

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  9. Maureen, great read! We watch the same tv shows! That's exactly what they would have said to you! Love this post. So clever!

    Have a beautiful Memorial Day weekend!
    Peace,
    Linda at The French Hens Nest

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    1. Oh wonderful! I was worried people wouldn't get the references (especially with Murdoch). You have great taste in TV shows ;)

      You have a wonderful Memorial Day long weekend too!! I shall be sure to return the visit.

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  10. You captured Violet exactly! Those are just the sort of things she would say.

    My mother (born in 1914) never really understood my love of old and worn objects. She said she grew up with them and wanted something new. Alas, due to the destruction of the 1937 flood, she had very little to pass on to me, except memories, and those I cherish.

    Carla (first time visitor)

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    1. Hello and welcome Carla! Thank you so much; I do love those shows and it was fun to think of conversing with the great characters.

      Well, at least memories cannot be lost by water or fire - they last a lifetime!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know you were by. I appreciate and read with delight each and every comment!

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