Little Town, Little Treasures

I went to Helper, Utah yesterday just for a drive and a look around. There was a cute little clothing shop that interested us right away. The sign on the front door kindly said "Come On In", but the door itself had other plans- it was locked. A bit confused and disappointed, my friends and I leaned towards the glass to peer inside to find no one there, and we turned to continue down the street. As soon as we turned to go a kindly gal called to us from her car. She happened to be the owner of the little shop and was on her way to run an errand. She promised to return so that we could look around her shop to our hearts' content. In another shop I scored a sheet of newspaper from 1922 with a report on a couple of women who were wanted for running a silk robbery ring in Boston, and a few beautiful ads. After looking in a few more shops, rummaging through antiques, and taking tons of pictures with some train cars and an old bus that were displayed on the side of the street,  we made our way back to the little shop. Again, no one was there but as we turned to go after waiting, we were again stopped by a voice calling from a car. It was a man this time, who identified us as the 3 gals who wanted to see the shop. After a few laughs he let us into the shop and phoned the owner. When she arrived she laughed with us and chatted as we looked through the racks of vintage and hand sewn clothes. The one thing, she said, about living in a tiny town was that she didn't have to keep regular store hours. We each left with a treasure and thanked her for coming back to let us look. I sometimes miss living in a small town where people know one-another and look after each other, where the sleepiness of the town draws in visitors from the city on weekends, and how the streets awaken during festivals. I don't think I would live in such a town again in my life, but I surely want to live near one so that I can enjoy quiet days like yesterday whenever I liked.

How could you resist?

So we went adventuring a few days ago and discovered a sweet toy store in the Riverwoods shops! Like all toy stores should, Blickenstaff's came equipped with old fashioned candies and throwback graphics on lot of their toy and game packaging. The overhead train and airplanes were  my favorite part for sure. I love when little shops like this make an effort to create an environment to experience when you go inside. And as you are selecting the bobbin or adventure guide of choice (we were after Bananagrams), those who tend to the toys that live in the shop may offer to teach you a new game or ask for a quick round of Spot It.
I must admit I need let my 7 year old self do the driving more often, this place was a nice release.

An Inspired Response

“Mom, I’m Fat:” One Mother’s Inspired Response to Her 7 Year Old

 I read this little article today and it really touched me.  I hope all the sweet little girls I know (myself included), will see what really makes them beautiful.
We should not be afraid to address these issues and share our stories with one another. It helps so much to come together and help each other to overcome the stigmas of modern society.
I still battle the occasional rain cloud above my head that tries to bully the unique and special person that I am. The exquisite childlike curiosity that I've worked so hard to cultivate, cowers in the corner when the blackness of "what if it's true" covers the truth of things. Well what if this huge negative thing (whether it is about being overweight, lazy, selfish, irresponsible, etc.) is true? 
All the negative things that creep into a self-confident mind could be true, but I have a choice- I can approach it however I like! Does it change who I was 5 minutes ago, now that it's been brought to my attention? I'm still me. I do have the power to change things if I want to, but I want it to be for me and what I believe, not for the satisfaction of societal conformity, "correctness", or norms. 
I see the world in shapes, colors, and textures. I delight in good stories. I'm a hunter of cool sounds. I'm a collector of curious things and ideas. Those are some of the things that make me beautiful and radiant. My defense against gloomy rain clouds that wont leave me alone. 

Adventures on Mars and in Genealogy

Much has happened as of late. I finished up with finals and went to the NGS (National Genealogical Society) conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. I learned how to spell Cincinnati and that it has 88 counties. Learned what a thorn was in old English. Ate good food and met lots of fun people while I was there. I got rid of a few things and moved into a new place with high ceilings and lots of quirks. Found some new LPs. Sent off friends and welcomed some back. I picked up twenty more hours of work for the summer. I'm on book 2 of the Barsoom series and have delighted in journeying to far away planets with the Virginian who doesn't know the meaning of the word impossible. And today I vanquished the gym for the first time in weeks. And to make it a perfect moment, I'm writing to you whilst listening to the Pumpkins' Adore album- its narrated many a moments in my life. Talk to you soon.

Carry On

I needed a dose of lovely history today. I'm trying to edit the things that I've been harboring in my circle of importance this week to edit my pattern. I am indeed in control and now that I have an empty circle, I'm going to fill it with things that really are important and will add to true happiness and well being. To flourish. As I watched this video, I longed to be in an environment such as the delightful bookstore where the poster was found. I hunger after such a life that the owners seem to have. Now I realize, that I often am in that sort of environment, and have the power to make my heart and mind that kind of environment. I will hold the message of this bygone poster close to my heart and carry on in brighter days. 
Enjoy this video and article from The History Blog.

Original ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ posters on AR

Coptic Binding

So I finished my first Coptic binding in my bookbinding class! I think it turned out pretty nice :) At a second-hand store, I bought a history book about dance and tore out some lovely prints to use on my cover.

The front is a costume concept and the back is an early attempt at dance notation. I had to dye the back cover sheet to make the colors match the front. For the dye, I used water, vanilla extract, and chamomile honey tea. I set it in a plastic container overnight with some parts sticking out of the water for a more aged effect. I then took out the sheet and left it on a towel to dry while I went to classes. When I came home, it was completely dry and I was able to cut and paste it to the back cover-board. The rest of the book was pretty straight-forward. 

The sewing was difficult at first, but quickly my hands grew accustomed to the repetative movement- in and out of the signatures, back and forth. I did the sewing while I watched the 2009 movie, The Secret of Kells. I really enjoyed the movie. The textures that come out through the bright color and line-work of the animation were lovely and pushed the storytelling to a higher plane of aesthetic. PLUS it is all about the making of a beautiful and magical book. How appropriate! You really should watch it!!

Ohh Waldo

Oh my how I love this!!
http://outnback.com/ posted this on facebook with this caption, and I had to share it with the world!

Take your sweetheart somewhere nice for Valentines day! If you need anything for your valentines adventure come visit us!

Admiral Russell R. Waesche

My first Wikipedia contribution! Admiral Russell R. Waesche is my Great Great Grandfather's cousin. He was the Admiral of the US Coast Guard for many years. I got to add a few things to his page and I'm pretty excited about it. Check it out HERE. I love doing Family History!

George Henry Waesche Family: Young Immigrant

George Henry Waesche Family: Young Immigrant: Charles S. Albert who, at the funeral of Metta H. Maud said, "He that stands on the other side of birth to send us here, stands also on the further side of death to receive us there ." My great Aunt Margaret B. Waesche lamented that so much of our stories are lost over time, but she rejoiced in the belief that we would meet again.

It is such a comfort in knowing where those we love are and what they're up to. This scripture was one of the greatest comforts to me after my father died:

Alma 40:11 Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are ^ctaken ^dhome to that God who gave them life.

12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of ^ahappiness, which is called^bparadise, a state of rest, a state of ^cpeace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

Check out the video  from the “What Happens When I Die?” on mormon.org. I really love hearing the testimonies of others. 

My other Blog is officially going now. It's about my ancestors from Maryland, the George Henry Waesche Family. Take a look!

carrollcountywaesche.blogspot.com

Leonardo da Vinci, handbag designer

This caught my eye as I was going through my Google Reader this morning. Think its an accurate interpretation of the draft? 

Material history, if you haven't noticed, is a passion of mine. How wonderful for designers to have had access to the drawing, so that they could bring this design through the centuries. I wonder how often old designs and plans will see the light of day in this century for the first time. This really tickles my fancy; perhaps I'll keep my eyes open for sleeping dreams such as this in my wanderings. 

 Do you have a song that really speaks to your soul? Like all the way down into the fibers of your toes? This is totally my song: Cello Suite 1 Prelude... and then the Piano Guys went and made it that much better!

Made it into my bookbinding class! Such a tender mercy, as it turns out, the professor works in the Special Collections of the Library doing preservation etc! Can you believe it!? My teacher has my dream job and I didn't even know it! He said he decided to let me add the class because he felt like its where I belong :) He also said that I should come down to the preservation lab and spend some time down there :D Wow, this is going to be a wonderful semester! Get ready for adventures in bookbinding land... I'm sure there is some kind of Monster Book of Monsters that's creeping around in my head just waiting to be made.


http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/The_Monster_Book_of_Monsters

So, brilliant. I'm sitting in my Computers for Historical Research class, and we're talking Blogs! I get to start one based on the research that I did last semester. So, when that begins I'm going to put a link on my sidebar for you to easily find and subscribe to it. I'll try not to forget you here on Antiquarian Eyes though, have no fear! The research that I'm going to hi-light will eventually be connected to a google webpage that will be connected to all of the research. I'm excited!

Here's my professor's blog for an example if you're looking to start a genealogical blog of your own and some fun readings:
http://archibaldgardnerfamily.blogspot.com/