Everything Old is New Again

How's this for totally random thoughts? I was thinking about storing leftovers...and how Everything Old is New Again!
I remember setting up my own domestic environment in the early 1970's. I longed for everything to be NEW and MODERN and CO-ORDINATED. None of that old, out-dated stuff for me! As soon as I could afford it, I would furnish my perfect world with only the best!

When my mother got her new house (way back in the 50's, mind you!) her Frigidaire came with a set a matching food storage boxes a lot like these:

And she also had various sizes of these little clear glass boxes with lids for storing left-overs.

A close friend of mine at the time also recalled with disdain those little stretchy bowl covers that looked just like (can you believe it?) shower caps!!

The two of us being MODERN and very "WITH IT" housewives planned to have only matching sets of Tupperware! We hosted several parties so we could acquire all the bowls and serving pieces we needed. They even came in colors to match the MODERN kitchen - Harvest Gold, Avocado Green and Spice Orange!

Hey, it was the best thing to happen to us women since we got the vote...

Alas, funny how things change after 40+ years...or rather come back around again. After years of failing to find the right lid for the right bowl (yes, I know there's a little matching letter on them. Just wish I remembered that before I filled the bowl with hot chilli!) or having an avalanche on lids fall on you when the cupboard is opened or the plastic is all stained and blistered from micro-cooking...SIGH.
I recently ordered those little stretchy bowl covers that look like shower caps! They fit on nice glass bowls and are easy to find. They all stuff into one small drawer and take up very little room. And after a few uses, you can throw them away!

Oh yes, Everything Old is New Again!
...and I'm pretty sure my mama is laughing from somewhere above!

Grandma From the Grave

A dear friend recently posted beautiful pictures of her Virginia garden in all its Springtime glory! In one picture was a lawn chair like the ones above, and I thought of a funny incident with my honey.

Byron's maternal grandma, Mary Siddons, was a lady not too fondly remembered by the family. I know, that's a sad thing to say...but it was true. She was bitter and angry and difficult to get along with.

Shortly after the Robinsons moved to Las Vegas she moved into the house next door. The "boys", all six at home, were assigned chores at grandma's weekly. They mowed the lawn, brought the trash out, washed her car and various other projects. But never once did she ever thank them! They remember that more often than not she complained about what should have been done; or how it could have been done better. Didn't make for many fond memories to say the least.

The crabbiness seemed to get worse the older she got. Now I have this theory that old age doesn't really mellow a person, it just consolidates what was always there. Grandma Siddons sort of proved that theory. She didn't enjoy the grown boys and their families, and she certainly couldn't tolerate the great-grandchildren! She was crabbiness indeed!

After she died the families were offered a few things from her belongings. Byron chose a green lawn chair. We had just finished a new pool and patio and it was something we could use. A few weeks later we were enjoying the company of one of Byron's brothers out on the patio. Byron was sitting in the green lawn chair as he and his brother were remembering grandma and her crabby nature.

Just as Byron said, "This is the only thing the old lady ever gave me, and I'll bet she wouldn't even want me to have it!" the chair flew out from under him and he landed hard on the cement! It was just as if someone had jerked it away! After a few stunned moments, we all started laughing. Byron said, "Well I guess the old crab hasn't changed a bit!"
Sad but funny memory...hope we leave better ones for our loved ones!

(c) CH Robinson, May 2011
Painting "Three Chairs" (c) by Marcia Crosby, 2006