In 1992 my grandmother started all of us with Department 56 Dickens' Village pieces for Christmas. Each of her three children got a church, believed to be vital to village functioning, and the grandchildren received a store of some sort. My first acquisition was the Poulterer, as it was part of a set of five stores and their were five grandchildren. I had visions of some day bartering with my cousins to collect the other four vendors. I embraced the start of this tradition, not necessarily because I was an aficionado of porcelain collectibles, but rather a fan of traditions. I still am. There are plenty of things that I do, taking more pleasure in the comfortable familiarity and predictable expectation than in the event itself. This new holiday happening held a double bonus as I would get to help set up the buildings and look forward to receiving a new one.
My grandmother was so fond of her plan and of the houses themselves that she started a collection for her and my grandfather's house as well. Suddenly these very hard to buy for people were an urban development team looking for growth, and we had so many options to assist them. While my grandmother was focused on the houses themselves, my grandfather's interest had to do with the mechanics of displaying them. He started by electrifying the hutch, like literally put outlets in it with a master switch. Shelves were built, and when the pieces exceeded what could reasonably be displayed on the square footage provided by the hutch, removable wooden side wings were constructed that were screwed in. Some twigs and small blocks of wood were fashioned into bare winter trees to supplement the purchased evergreens.
Never once did I hear the phrase "I think the village is at maximum capacity!" It just magically appeared some time in December, display complete. We were all at our own houses, setting up our own modest towns. Truth be told, I have the makings of a densely populated city, as other people added to my collection for a few years as well.
Eventually, the task of bringing the hutch to life got to be too much for my grandparents, but their desire to have this centerpiece of holiday decor did not fade. I signed up, along with my mother and aunt, to do the heavy lifting so to speak. We had no idea what we were in for that first year, so many cords, so many bulbs, so many accessories. My thoughts quickly went from the nostalgic "aw, I remember when I gave them this and that" to "oh my gosh, did we really give them all of this". We had obviously seen the final product year after year, but had not committed any of it to memory. Our own set ups had more of a "what might look nice this year" approach. We quickly found out that my grandmother's claim that different was not a bad thing actually meant as long as everything is the same. At one point a photo was offered for guidance, but it had been taken before the eastern and western extensions had even been added. My grandmother kept offering "gentle" suggestions and eventually the job was done.
Strategies were discussed with regard to how future endeavors could be streamlined and less maddening. I might have suggested a scenario in which my grandmother was taken out to lunch while the other two elves magically whipped up the scene. Instead we just muddled along, refining our method as we became more familiar with all parts of the operation. Eventually I found peace in doing the job myself, while nodding politely in response to the chatter. My grandfather passed away, and my grandmother was not necessarily in a position for me to ask her for assistance. As I sat on the floor, balancing those side wings on my head, while trying to screw the tiniest of hardware in to the underside of the hutch, I always assumed my grandfather was watching me and smiling...or laughing at me. I was fine with either.
As my grandmother's dementia progresses, it seems there is comfort in the familiar. Considering the very warm temperatures and lack of snowfall, it was almost plausible for her to not be able to keep track of the time of year, despite it being heralded as "the most wonderful time of the year". I made brief mention of getting her houses set up, and thought I saw a vague look of recognition on her face. I looked at my calendar and picked a day to set up her houses. She didn't express much interest at all in what I was up to, even though she was in her usual prime viewing seat on the couch. No opinions were offered. I wasn't sure if I was going to have time to finish the project in one session, so I made sure to keep everything put away as to not look messy. The mayor looked like she needed a nap, so I quit for the afternoon. There was an entire box of people and accessories still in the closet that I had planned to tackle on my next visit.
When I was discussing my afternoon with my husband, he asked me if my grandmother had asked to have the houses put up. When I responded that she had not, he asked why I did them. I started to sputter and stammer out a response that as long as my grandmother lived in that house, those houses would be up for the holidays, she loves those houses and what if she asked about them at the last minute. Clearly it was my grandmother's best interests I was considering...clearly.
The next day I returned to bring out the heart of the exhibit, the people. My grandmother remarked that the village looked really nice, not "overdone". Not overdone? But that was the theme of Hutchville. I asked if she wanted me to put some more of the accessories out, and her answer was no.
Yes, the village looks nice. In fact, my husband can't really see much difference between the two photos. Meanwhile I was seeing that the schoolyard had no children and merry-go-round. The church had no gate and nuns. (Gads, and those crazy little tombstones my grandmother had made back in the heyday.) The animals weren't on the farm. Where was the hustle and bustle? It was all packed in styrofoam and cardboard. I forced a smile and we sat on the couch to watch the birds at the feeders outside.
I realized I had made this completely about me. My wish to find some sense of familiar in her house that is changing. My wish to cling, not only to traditions, but also the memories that she is ever so quickly losing.
You think you have followers? I have followers! Look at them all.
In dog people that's like 21! Four of their legs may be short, but mine are even shorter, hurry up people!
I may not look like a very big dog, but there is plenty of me to share. This is a good thing since my loyal four year old friend's two year old sister decided she likes me too. Well, I shouldn't say she made a final decision because her screaming and laughing and wanting to be near me and wanting me to go away were a little confusing. She fed me some of my bag of Cheerios, until she decided to feed them to herself instead. I was invited to sit in the wagon too.
Mostly I just liked taking them for a walk.
Just when I thought all I had to offer you was some leftover apple pie…
…come on, who is responsible for that cutting job? Nobody would confess!
Lo and behold, there in the photo file were these gems passed on to me by Kim, over at Millie's Mats.
It was kind of her to think of me, and the beautiful creepiness of these monkey orchids did not disappoint. Of course I immediately asked my friend google how one would go about procuring such finery. Apparently the seeds are what is available, and I wasn't sure if I felt that daring and/or optimistic.
While I wait for my jazzed up holiday logo, this one will just have to do...
I do have many things to be thankful for, and try to take time to reflect on them every day during my down time. I don't want to get too mushy here because I know I have presented a pretty stoic version of myself. I love kibble and my humans. I am grateful that my holiday was filled with both, including this guy who came home!
Oh my goodness gracious, hello. As in HELLO. You know, the song that is stuck in my head five out of seven days a week. It is beautiful and haunting…and driving me crazy! I will be going about my business feeling sort of melancholy, and then realize the ear worm is why. I am sorry Lionel Richie, but while I do wonder where you are and want to tell you so much "I love you", Adele has taken your place!
Here is my grand hello from the college pickup yesterday! I love this picture...
I know that is because this is my kid heading for the car, but it's my random, right?
Sometimes I email myself things I am afraid I will forget...
…"Orange hello"? Well I almost forgot what that was supposed to remind me to do! Thank you very little autocorrect, as that was my reminder to make orange jello!
Now this car?
Just wow! Chick magnet probably doesn't even begin to do it justice. I was so sorry that I didn't have my Princess Leia hairdo rocking that day! I am also sorry that you can't really see the large Darth Vader strapped in the back seat, facing out the rear window. May the force be with you, indeed!
Speaking of the Dark Side...
This has Barbie looking classier by the minute. "Freak Chic"? That's not exactly how I would put it, but the monster part seems about right.
I tried to go with the flow, Kotex, but now...
…too far, Kotex…TOO FAR! Well this seems like an awkward place to end the post, but I have no idea what could follow this!
You saw it, right? The glorious body of fur I was working on? Well would you look at what happened…
That's right, the groomer. I think you can tell by my snaggle-tooth scowl on the way home that I was not impressed. My hopes and dreams for Movember crushed...
I feel like such a turkey. Is that why they made me wear this neckerchief?
I'd feel so much better if you shared whatever that snack is you're having, now that I can clearly see you are in fact eating something...
…please.
Well, at least I got my
back!
Foz, what are you doing here? Your day passed.
No kidding!? How could you snatch away my livelihood? Surely people wondered where I was.
Um, really?
It is possible. Totally. Absolutely possible. Anyway, I am here to file a grievance.
Oh that is certainly what people want to read.
Well, in addition to letting someone decorate me, did either of you share any 20th anniversary celebratory cannolis with me?
That is like 140 years to me. I deserved some dessert! And why is your pinky sticking out like that? It wasn't tea with the queen.
Are you done?
That depends. Did you tell people I am participating in no shave November this year?
I actually haven't had a chance to tell people much of anything since you interrupted. By the way, you look a little rough here at mid-month.
Hmpf.
Now that Foz has wandered off to pout elsewhere, let's check back in to see how the battle with the automatic pill dispenser is shaping up...
Unplugged, but I can't help thinking that television remote was involved at some point. The drain basket over the mug seems related as well.
Does anyone else this may not be the best medical breakthrough?
And now, and artsy pose by my mother's cat...
...you probably can't see her though, right?
