One Car Family
That’s what it feels like right now…the days when families had but one car. There was the scheduling of who needed it…for work, for errands, for recreation with the kids. That last one was mainly on weekends and in the summertime when we got to go swimming at the motel that belonged to friends of my parents, or to the beach for a BBQ. Yes, we roasted marshmallows and watched the sparks fly up in to the dark night. My dad had to have limos and a hearse for his business, so I bet you can guess what it was. Our family one-car was a baby blue Plymouth station wagon that had big fins, no seat belts, and a jump seat in back. Later it was repainted to Cadillac green and was used for my dad’s business, too. Unless we walked or rode a bike, we were home a lot of the time. Being home now feels a bit like that time. We’re waiting until the car comes home so we can go out again.
My mom and grandmom didn’t cater to our boredom. They told us to go find something to do. And, while we wait, we can find many things to keep us occupied, too. Puzzles, books, board games, charades, organizing old photos, clearing out boxes of outdated receipts…I think they only have to be kept for 7 years. Are you remembering how to play the piano, or flute, or violin after all those music lessons your parents provided for you? Get out that old sheet music, or download some and play…even if it’s only 5 or 10 minutes. You’ll remember more than you thought you had forgotten. There are tons of streaming resources available to us now. Take advantage of them.
In a way, sheltering in place is like getting back on a bicycle and remembering all the things we used to do at home when we had time. Now that we have the time, I’d love to hear what are you doing.
Stay safe. Stay home. Stay healthy.
Love,
Kate
Kate
Thank you for a break in my day to stop and think about the nostalgia of simpler times it puts a smile in my heart and we all need that at this time. I get excited when I see you have made a post. It reminds me of opening the mailbox and finding a colorful envelope with my name on it from a friend
Oh thank you so much Theresa! You know, I remember how exciting it was to get a catalog in our mail box, study it for weeks or longer, make an order and send off a check, and then wait, wait, wait until the delivery truck arrived. It was so exciting to receive and open that package. I think there’s a lot to be said for delayed gratification. 🙂
This is a wonderful post and comments. A very good reminder for those of us of a certain age that remember this way of life. And a very good lesson for new parents to have an opportunity to teach kids wonderful skills.
Yup!
Just before the closure of the library, the lady who runs the book club told me Get Books! So I have been reading some Agatha Christie and some books that I might not read normally. I’m going to dip into “Say Nothing” again. It’s about the sectarian conflict in Ireland. I needed to stop after one of the chapters.
The house is getting cleaner by the day. I even cleaned the top of fridge. After scrubbing the inside I looked up there (being vertically challenged I tend to ignore it). Not pretty. Being home so much does not allow you to have an excuse for ignoring spring cleaning.
My husband and I do a martial art called Jodo. Our senseis have started to give classes via ZOOM. Workouts in living rooms and garages is a bit challenging but it is fun to see people from Canada to California and Japan who do this art.
And as the weather permits the garden and the yard are always needing attention. The fresh air and spring flowers definitely lift your spirits.
I saw a friend outside a supermarket the other day and from 20 feet away we gave each other an air hug. Not the usual connection but welcome none the less.
There’s a quote from Maya Angelou. “Every storm runs out of rain”.
Keep safe.
Thanks for checking in Kathleen! I’m sending you a big virtual hug from here and I love this Maya Angelou quote.
Perfect! I feel that way too, the waiting. I am working (teaching) from home so I am not bored (I, too grew up with “find something to do”). As an only child in a house of my mom and grandparents, I “found something to do” before someone found something (unpleasant) for me to do. It was usually a book, for which I grateful for to this day, especially in this time. As long as I have a book, I am never bored. I am also grateful for the time to organize things, look out the window at the lake or dogs walking with their humans, write real letters, and think about getting back to hobbies like scrapbooking or rag quilts now that my primary hobby of baking for others has to be scaled back (before we gain the quarantine-fifteen!!!). The situation is scary, but the time is a gift. If only my sweetheart was able to work from home too!
Indeed it is a gift. I just saw these words I posted on FB three years ago today.
“…it is each of us who holds things together, in our small humble way of working through the days with all that we have.”—Mark Nepo
Many blessings to you, Tracy.
I love Mark Nepo and his wisdom.
Thanks for this, Kate! I do have some work to do, but this morning’s important task was downloading the Merlin bird identifying app from Cornell University and propping up my iPad on my patio table to film a Rufous hummingbird at the feeder. Gotta find joy where you can get it these days and hummers are my joy! Recently read “Fastest Things On Wings” about a woman who started a hummingbird rescue in Hollywood, and I’ve been smitten with the little darlings ever since.
I’m holding off making pie…..no one to share it with presently, and the last thing I need right now is to eat an entire pie!
Hugs!
And hummingbirds are full of joy! xoxo
I’ve been keeping busy with baking, as have many of my friends here in urban Los Angeles. In fact, no one can seem to find flour and yeast at any of the stores! So far I’ve made focaccia, pizza dough, brownies and chicken pot pie.
The focaccia was the most fun because it took 24 hours and watching the yeast dough “percolate” was fascinating”. At one point, it felt like I had created the “the blob”, remember that old movie?! The yeast dough had risen and overflowed it’s container and flowing onto the kitchen counter! The bread was delish! Happy baking everyone!
OH my gosh, I do indeed remember The Blob! Thanks for that smile today, Rayma. xo
Hi Kate,
thanks for sharing your nice memories. I think even in this situation we can still be thankful for lots of things, and we also learn to appreciate a lot more what we have, and enjoy small things and moments.
Of course as an outdoor person I do miss nature, hiking, long walks, I haven’t seen the sea for three weeks and it is only 3 km away from my place. But I have exercise climbing the steps to my studio on the eight floor, happy photo-hunt the plants and flowers on my terrace and I’m very thankful for a great view to the mountains, so that I don’t feel trapped.
I’m allowed to short walks with my dogs, so we sneak around the small empty roads in my neighbourhood and found some wild flowers beside the road. They look lovely on my desk now and make me happy. All parks are closed, but I love to walk outside along the fence inhaling the wonderful perfume of pine trees after the rain.
Sadly I had to cancel my photowalks and workshops, but thanks god for my university work which I can do from home. Actually I got to like online-teaching via Skype, and I notice that it is very important for the students to get together once a day and have a kind of routine.
And now it’s almost 8 pm and we will all go to our balconies to applaud and thank the people who do all they can to keep us healthy and safe.
Stay safe and healthy.
Big hug from Mallorca.
Adding my applause to those who are caring for us. Much love to you, Brigitte.
Isn’t it true. Since we grew up together those were such familiar memories.
Yes they are, Lisa! xoxo
Hello, Kate – growing up as an only child (and only grandchild on both sides!) I learned how to entertain myself. I had three favorite activities: playing with our dogs, reading and re-decorating my dollhouse. Somehow they have all reappeared, except the dogs are now a cat! I am lucky to have many books, and have been concentrating these last two weeks on mysteries from the 1930’s and 40’s which are much more interesting than much of what might be on tv. I started in again with dollhouse miniatures about fifteen years ago. I have several dollhouses, many room boxes with different themes, and an old stand up radio cabinet I converted into a dollhouse that now command more of my attention. Of course there are usual activities, tidying up, trying new recipes and connecting with friends via email. Hope you are doing well.
P.S. loved the Maya Angelou quote!!!
What authors are you reading from the 30s and 40s, Stevie? I wonder if others might enjoy them, too. I loved the Nero Wolfe mysteries.
P.S. Maya was a force and lives on in her words.
Hope this goes through, having a bit of a computer issue. Since I love all mysteries, I’m including a list of some of my other favorite authors, too: Dashiell Hammett, Rex Stout, Ngaio Marsh, Earl Stanley Gardner, Ellery Queen and Josephine Tey. Tey’s book, Daughter of Time is fascinating if you like history. It posits that Richard III has been misrepresented down through the ages. And…. if you enjoy reading it, you may want to go on to a more recent book, Digging for Richard III, which documents how a group of archaeologists found the King’s remains (having been killed at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485) under a parking lot in Leicester, England. Sorry this is so long, but as you no doubt can see I love books!
A great list! You probably already know that there is a Nero Wolfe Cookbook.
I found it fascinating to read about Richard III in the news.
Thanks Kate for writing this. It is so true. We had good memories of our childhood and we were never really “bored”.
Stay safe and stay healthy
Hugs
Ute:)
You too Ute!
Hello from Singapore. I haven’t been bored, but have been stressed. This week I blocked time to make your apple pie and it was just what I needed. Thank you for your books, which I love, and for continuing your beautiful writing in the blog. I wish you the best during these difficult days and that you will have much success with your new book!
Thank you so much Greg! And you as well. Stay safe in Singapore.