Thursday, June 28, 2012

That Large, Green, Frivolous Thing


In my post of June 17th, I mentioned that I would show you that 'thing' I drove to McRae to pick up and said it would be something 'green, large, not made of fabric and in this day and age, completely
frivolous.'  Some of you sent email guessing what it might be.  The largest item guessed:  a car!

As you can see, it wasn't a car.  But it is large....50 inches x 74 inches.  And, it isn't necessary to life,  making it also 'frivolous.'  So, here's the story.  About two months, or so, ago, my friend, Lavern, called to see if I'd like to come to McRae and go through her parent's house.  They had passed away and she was in the process of cleaning out their house so she could put it up for sale.  Being an only child, she alone was left to decide what to keep and what to give away, throw away, or sell.  She knew I loved 'old stuff' so when she called, of course, I said I'd love to come over.  And, I did.  There were several things I purchased from her and we enjoyed walking down memory lane... I knew her parents and thought a lot of them.  Her Dad was much like me...loving to collect 'stuff.'  Her mother was a school teacher, so I brought home some of her books. And, she had a box ready for me when I got there...as she knows me too!  Anyway, as I was leaving that day, we were walking out of the garage and I noticed a large green chalkboard against the wall and I asked her if it was for sale.  "Sure," she said.  Well, it just so happens that I had been looking for one of these for quite a while and had had no luck...so, OF COURSE, I wanted it.  There was a problem though...it would not fit into my little PT Cruiser.  So, we made a deal that it would stay where it was until she was ready for the sale and at that time, I would get someone with a pickup to drive over and get it for me.

A bit before my sister's visit, my grandson and one of his friends went over there and got it for me and brought it to my little Nest.  I was thrilled to have it.  I knew my sister and her husband were coming and he always liked to 'fix things' while he was here, so I asked him to hang it for me while they were here.  He and I went to Lowe's to get some screws and a 'cleat' to hang it properly, which he did, assisted by my grandson.  If you read my last post, then you will have surmised that one week later, he passed away.  That makes my hanging chalkboard even more special to me.



For its first photos, I wanted to write something on it that was profound.   When I was looking in my files to find something, I remembered this very special quote, which I love:

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.  Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking.  Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And, most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.  Everything else is secondary."

                                                                                         Steve Jobs
                                                                                         Stanford Commencement
                                                                                         June 12, 2005

Well, as we all know, our time is limited and no matter what our ages, it seems this quote is important.   I'm so glad that Rick added this chalkboard to my Nest....I'll never be able to write on it without remembering how it got here, and I intend to write on it often....quotes, lists, pattern drawings, whatever crosses my mind to do.  I'll be following my heart and my intuition!


And, Lavern....thank you so much for the invitation to your parent's house....and I'll remember them too!  Take care out there, pat

PS.  YES, that stool under the chalkboard is what I have to stand on to reach the top of the chalkboard!  My sister helped me find that at the Emporium and it works beautifully!  See you soon.
 

9 comments:

Julie Fukuda said...

Love it! I could have written that ... it looks so much like my writing too (but you know that).
We have a green board at camp about that size and I use it all the time to write out instructions for crafts (so mine has illustrations too).

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

A nice way to remember a kind man. You'll think of him every time you look at the board.

It seems every time we turn around we have been going to a funeral lately. I told Terry that we are entered that stage of our lives.

Its a good quote to keep on the board for a while.
xx, Carol

DRblue said...

I just love that saying!! How appropriate for your first "posting" on the board!!!!!!!! loveyalots!

Jeanne Gwin said...

Pat, Way way better then the Parrot I guessed. You are looking fly in that studio these days with all your sweet goodies. My heartfelt sympathy over the loss of your brother-in-law. Life has many strange turns and we just have to maneuver through them.

claudine said...

Beautiful picture! What a great idea and what a good memory! I like the branch and its little heart around this beautiful text. But that's normal in this nest where everything is beautiful! I look forward to seeing more wonderful! Pat kisses

Vicki Boster said...

Hi Pat- I love the chalkboard!! My parents had one that we let go in the estate sale years ago. I've wished a hundred times over that I had kept it!! Enjoy!!
Vicki

Amy Munson said...

Wonderful chalk board surrounded with great memories. Take care.

Vivian said...

How great!!! Love your handwriting.

Thearica said...

I am very sorry for your family's loss Pat. The chalkboard will always serve to be a very special memory for you.

I too, have been searching for a chalkboard but I was thinking on the lines of the ones on legs. But now I am rethinking that. Maybe I will find one someday.

A Bit of Heaven

A Bit of Heaven
An original designed wall quilt with my vision of heaven on earth.