Can YOU Do It?
Over the last few decades, so many skills that we baby boomers thought were basic knowledge are now a dying art. Like writing and mailing a letter. Having an engaged conversation in a restaurant without an iPhone. But that isn't what I am talking about.
I'm talking about DRIVING A STANDARD SHIFT CAR! Yes, folks, that's right. A vehicle with a CLUTCH and up to six speeds! I have been reminded a little too frequently lately about how not too many folks can drive one anymore. Recently, I brought our Mazda 6 six speed in for tires. I witnessed one tough and tattooed young man attempt to get said car from its parking space into the garage bay. After multiple stall outs, I finally had to stop the torture of my vehicle and drive it into the bay myself.
A related pet peeve is also a reflection of generally bad driving habits and cluelessness about what it is to shift a car. You know how folks nowadays just love to tailgate, way too close? Well, when you shift a manual transmission there can be an oh-so-slight hesitation as you switch gears. Not good when that Yukon is inches away from the rear bumper.
It's pretty hard to even get a lot of vehicles with a standard transmission now. Too bad. Driving a standard offers improved control and handling, and an overall better driving experience. We have four vehicles -- all standard transmissions.
So I throw down the gauntlet. Can YOU drive a standard?
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Remembering Easter Finery
Remember "back in the day" on Easter Sundays? My sister and I would usually be wearing matching outfits....fluffy dresses and white straw hats, tights and patent leather shoes. There was a sense of excitement as we would accompany my mother on a shopping trip in the weeks before Easter. My father worked in Worcester, and we would annually stay out of school for a day, and make the drive from Somerset to shop at the new mall down the street from "the office". After purchasing our new outfits, we would all go to Spag's and my brother would get to buy some Matchbox cars.
I still remember Easter Sundays at St. Thomas More Church. There was always an extra large crowd and a lot of overpowering perfume and rather outlandish spring hats. I couldn't concentrate on the Mass because I would be too busy gawking at everyone and in particular, the ladies. At the time -- probably around 1962 -- mink stoles were the rage and I was both horrified and fascinated by the stoles that boasted the actual little feet of the mink! Wouldn't be politically correct nowadays! The hats of course would rival some of the British royal fashion. There were a lot of flowers and ribbons in a dazzling array of pastels. One year, in the late '60's, the nautical look was in and my sister and I sported royal blue and white maxi coats. The church parishioners looked more like a band of sailors, lots of red, white and navy blue and less flowery hats.
My paternal grandparents who lived next door would always come over to see us in our Easter dresses. Pictures would be taken, sometimes, and we would all enjoy a nice ham dinner after church. And then, of course, the requisite chocolate bunny after that. And then we would put on our "play clothes" and go outside; the grass would be greening up and the spring flowers blooming.
Wonderful memories!
I still remember Easter Sundays at St. Thomas More Church. There was always an extra large crowd and a lot of overpowering perfume and rather outlandish spring hats. I couldn't concentrate on the Mass because I would be too busy gawking at everyone and in particular, the ladies. At the time -- probably around 1962 -- mink stoles were the rage and I was both horrified and fascinated by the stoles that boasted the actual little feet of the mink! Wouldn't be politically correct nowadays! The hats of course would rival some of the British royal fashion. There were a lot of flowers and ribbons in a dazzling array of pastels. One year, in the late '60's, the nautical look was in and my sister and I sported royal blue and white maxi coats. The church parishioners looked more like a band of sailors, lots of red, white and navy blue and less flowery hats.
My paternal grandparents who lived next door would always come over to see us in our Easter dresses. Pictures would be taken, sometimes, and we would all enjoy a nice ham dinner after church. And then, of course, the requisite chocolate bunny after that. And then we would put on our "play clothes" and go outside; the grass would be greening up and the spring flowers blooming.
Wonderful memories!
Sunday, April 6, 2014
The Happy Place
I suppose everyone has, hopefully, "a happy place".....whether it is participating in a sport, hobby or just daydreaming. I spent a good part of my weekend in my "happy place" -- browsing Pinterest, and crafting some cool new items for my micro-store at an antiques/craft collective in northwestern Rhode Island.
By yesterday evening, the kitchen counter was piled with horseshoes, burlap flowers, spring-colored ribbons, cork, stamps and ink pads, lavender, muslin bags, packaging materials, and the trusty hot glue gun. By bedtime, most of the end products -- horseshoe wreaths and lavender sachets and dryer bags, were neatly stacked in boxes. I like to experiment with packaging, too, because sometimes that makes all the difference in sales.
I am satisfied with the end result. Sometimes, I'm not....but it's OK. Part of this hobby is about trying to identify what people want...and I am moving toward more "upcycled" and vintage with an edge. I don't make my living doing this, so I am not unduly distressed if something doesn't sell. It's always an experiment. A friend of mine occasionally chides me about losing money....and I guess I am....but spending time in "a happy place" is surely worth something.
By yesterday evening, the kitchen counter was piled with horseshoes, burlap flowers, spring-colored ribbons, cork, stamps and ink pads, lavender, muslin bags, packaging materials, and the trusty hot glue gun. By bedtime, most of the end products -- horseshoe wreaths and lavender sachets and dryer bags, were neatly stacked in boxes. I like to experiment with packaging, too, because sometimes that makes all the difference in sales.
I am satisfied with the end result. Sometimes, I'm not....but it's OK. Part of this hobby is about trying to identify what people want...and I am moving toward more "upcycled" and vintage with an edge. I don't make my living doing this, so I am not unduly distressed if something doesn't sell. It's always an experiment. A friend of mine occasionally chides me about losing money....and I guess I am....but spending time in "a happy place" is surely worth something.
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