Thought for the Day - Aug 23,00

Subject: Thought for the Day - Aug 23,00
From: Peter T.
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 09:53 AM

I am walking in the early evening down one of the wealthier streets in town, and as I pass the various houses, the lights are on, and I see into the front rooms. I continue walking, and after about the 10th house I realize that I have seen the decor before. In the 9th house. As I go along, I see that virtually every house has the same open faced brick wall, the standalone staircase, the oh-so-subdued metal frame around the poster or artwork, the Milanese lamp. It is clear that all these people thought they were doing something unique and self-expressive with their decor, and yet they are all interchangeable. All these yuppies who vowed their rebellion against their conformist suburban parents, are now conformist urban professionals. I notice this with my students: they are all individuals in exactly the same way as everyone else. It makes me wonder how many of my own cherished stances are just borrowed, part of a tired set of anti-cliches.


Sorry to say that I am going away again for a week -- think good thoughts. The space is open (try to stay away from open-faced brick, huh?)

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 23,00
From: Kim C
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 09:55 AM

Now just about all the new houses have a garage door that takes up 1/2 - 3/4 of the front of the house, too.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 23,00
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 12:37 PM

Some people simply get tired of rebellion. Some find better things to do with their time. I find as I get older that certain things that I remember from when I was a kid I consciously or unconsciously recreate now, whether I liked it then or not.

In my day-job I have staged a lot of catered training meetings. One of the new trends in menu planning for events like this is "comfort food" - meat loaf and gravy w/mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, loaded baked potatoes - that sort of thing. I think after years of experimenting with all the "mixed greens w/pine nuts salads", Thai food buffets, sushi pizzas and nouvelle cuisine, all the old hippies, yuppies, buppies, and grumpies just want something familiar, simple and comfortable. Especially when it comes to food and shelter. And if it means what I have is identical to what the folks next door have, I'll just sit here and admire their good taste.

Peter, we'll miss you. Hurry back. Bart

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 23,00
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 06:32 PM

Sorry to hear you will be away, again, Peter. One of my proudest moments of distinction with my youngest daughter, was when we were driving home one day after school. She was at that age when nothing a parent does is cool.

We'd just moved back to Wyoming and were living in a subdivision, which to us was anathema. As we drove by each house, she told me she loved the way I had old, need-to-be-redone mismatched antiques, hand-me-downs, and collectibles somehow put together in a unique and comfy way, especially when she compared what it looked like through our front window to the cookie cutter clones up and down our street.

I didn't know it until I moved back here, but what I was striving for was the same look an old family friend here has always had. She lives in an old stage coach stop log house, yep, the real McCoy, chock full of incredible antiques, prints, etc.

When I went back to visit her for the first time in many, many years, it struck that my little girlself had taken it all in and loved it so much, that when we moved away when I was only eight, I retained all of those images and have been trying to replicate that "comfort" every since.

Fare well and fare safe, Peter,

kat

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 23,00
From: CarolC
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 06:39 PM

Peter T.

If it makes you feel any better, you can come and see my place. I won't try to describe it here, but on another thread I mentioned that I use a can of HEINZ Spotted Dick as a book-end.

Best wishes,

Carol

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 23,00
From: Bert
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 06:52 PM

Actually Peter, I think that you are different from you. I hope that makes you feel better.

Also, the situation you describe is getting worse, to 'Little Boxes' we now sing...

There's a beige one and a beige one and a beige one and a beige one!

Bert.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 23,00
From: Fadac
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 08:38 PM

The line about the houses reminds me of an old MAD mag story. The hippy finnely revolted and was just wearing a blanket. A female hippy comes along and says, "John! You have finely tossed off you symbols (sp?) of conformatiy. Your wearing a blanket...Of course it's the wrong color, and it should be a bit shorter, turn around, Hmmm, this needs changeing."

-fadac

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 23,00
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Oct 07 - 06:10 PM

The friend, Pat, about whom I wrote in my previous posting, so many years ago, has passed away. She had been wavering for the past year or so but had an indomitable spirit which didn't want to give up. It is a blessing she has gone on, finally, as her quality of life was really poor. Still she did it her way, at home, mostly alone, forcing herself to get dressed down to her socks and shoes every morning just in case anyone should happen by; she only spent a few nights in hospital and apparently took off her oxygen at some point and shuffled off. Her home still remains chock full of precious things for her daughter and grandchildren to inherit. May they appreciate it as much as she did and may she rest in peace, finally.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 23,00
From: Alba
Date: 16 Oct 07 - 07:45 PM

Blessed Be Pat.
May your journey be peaceful and without burden or care.
May your treasures be treasured by Yours.
Rest easy.
Love and Light
Jude

May your memories of The Magic House be with you always Kat, as I have been known to say..."hold onto the good stuff. As for the rest... just let it go" ~ Blessings Darlin

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 23,00
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Oct 07 - 07:24 PM

I live in the ultimate ticky-tacky 50s Cape Cod but I defy anyone to find a similar home with a knight in shining armor in the living room juxtaposed to a vintage Our Lady Of Fatima grotto. I love my home and my treasures. If I die anytime soon I pity my sister-in-law who will have to wade through the crap and try to figure what has any value. There are actually some valuable treasures in full sight. heh heh

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 23,00
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Oct 07 - 11:10 PM

Thank you, muchly, Alba, Beautifully put. Her funeral will be tomorrow and she will be laid to rest near her mother and the rest of her family.

Sins, leave her some idea! Jaysus!**bg** My grandma put a piece of adhesive tape on the back of anything she wanted left to a certain person with their name on it. That's why I have her Dutch shoes which came with candy in them, when she got them, and also why I have a precious small china plate with a rose on it. Ya gotta leave some clues!:-)