Antique Dealer

June 2, 2013

Cleaning out a deep closet revealed several carpet samples which turned into a cat post project for dad. He was down sawing, hammering and cutting for so long I feared he passed out when I didn’t get a response. Hopping down the treacherous steps to find dad, with a mask over his nose and mouth, contently operating a loud and unidentified piece of machinery, unaware of my frantic hollering from the next level up. Thrilled to have a different outcome, than the accusatory one in my head, as I descend.

Memories of my mother appear as I work my way with a dust cloth around the wrought iron spirals attached to the Singer sewing machine shell. These distinctive tables and other antiques graced the halls and bedrooms, sunny living room and kitchen in our home as a child. My mom was a wonder when it came to finding an eclectic array of pieces. We had a milk separator from grandma’s Minnesota farm parked in the front yard with flowers peeking out the top, a colander covering the ceiling light fixture in the back room, and hand crank telephone on the wall. Can’t recall a time when I did not appreciate the unique environment we lived in. The exception was the attention due to the baby blue 56 passenger school bus converted to a camper parked alongside our home. It had to be moved, eventually, because of a complaining neighbor. She must have thought the Magic School Bus an eyesore!

Nineteen years after my mother’s death, her influence is astounding. This piece was from a gallery in our home town, owned by a woman that my mom insisted on helping who was a divorcee and struggling to support her children. That piece was given to my mom by a woman she took care of in her final years. Another still with an unusual story to laugh about until we are near tears.

While I am focusing on this project with my father, I am conversing with siblings, filling them in on the details of the plan in action. Eventually most will come to do their bit, paint or power wash, scrub windows, plant, haul, sort and clear out one at a time or in a clump. All efforts will be welcomed. Over the twenty years this house has been in the family, we all have been able to enjoy the lake whether to dive off the dock, fish, canoe, sun, lounge by the water or grill-it has been a wondrous home.