Technology’s transformed us, changing how and what we do, from performing all sorts of tasks to communicating. Times have changed so drastically in the last hundred years, it’s mind boggling! Smart phones have impacted our daily lives, with ‘apps” for everything; bringing on the disappearance of some everyday items (when’s the last time you saw an actual pay phone)?
I’m not anti-technology, but am sad to see some things vanish. Email has replaced hand-written letters. Wiry, corded phones weren’t as convenient, but we did have to actually stop and talk to callers, and they always worked when the electricity went out. Calendars are virtually non-existent, and when I’ve asked my Girl Scout troop to take meeting notes, they pull out their phones. Cursive’s a dinosaur. (I think how unique each person’s penmanship is. My grandmother’s handwriting was beautiful. My father’s is, too).
This hat box is filled with old letters, some from loved ones passed.
What I think I’ll miss most are clocks. Not everyone wears a watch, but chances are, everyone has a cell phone! How will that evolve with the new iWatch? I recently caught a glimpse of the news, featuring a 911 call released after a traffic accident. A gentleman performing CPR was in disbelief, when asking for someone to time him. Not one person in the crowd had on a watch! Many people don’t own an alarm clock or can even tell time without a digital display.
Once while teaching knitting, a seven-year old student was perplexed by the sound of the wall clock. She’d never noticed the tick-tock before. When asked if she could tell time, she answered, “I look at Mommy’s phone”.
Beautiful timepieces have long been a part of decor, and a big part of history. Think Big Ben or the clock at Grand Central Station. A lovely timepiece would harken a special event, or become a treasured family “member”. Recently, I was out with one of my friends when we decided to check a Goodwill store for antiques. There, behind locked glass, were two beautiful clocks.
I loved the 1954 black enameled clock, and my friend the other. Made by Schatz, the clocks are called “400-Day Clocks” or “Anniversary Clocks”. They were meant to be wound only once a year with a brass key, marking a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary. Made in Germany from the 1880’s on, they were most popular in the 1950’s as wedding gifts, but known more for their beauty than their accuracy. Missing paint and without keys, we figured even if the clocks didn’t work, they’d be pretty vintage decor.
A true Anniversary clock doesn’t use electricity or batteries, but mechanics encased beneath a glass cloche. They must be perfectly balanced in order to run, and can be costly to repair. Setting must be done ever so gently. I got mine to run, but it took three nervous people and a borrowed key! We tiptoe past, and I hold my breath when vacuuming. With daylight savings time I’m afraid to set it again! Still, I find it’s spinning movement mesmerizing.
Growing up, we had a wooden Schatz Cuckoo clock, a present to my parents from friends stationed in Germany. I remember the thrill of the little cuckoo alerting the hours, and I’d run to catch a glimpse before he’d disappear again. I remember the sound as Daddy would wind it each week. As an adult, hearing that cuckoo was a trip back in time.
I’ve wished for a grandfather clock forever. My friend Andrea has one her grandfather bought second hand. Made in Germany in the 1920’s by Mauthe, it sat in her grandparents’ hallway for decades. The clock was referred to like a person. Andrea’s grandmother would say, “Grandfather is whispering”, whenever it chimed, and when in repair they’d say “Grandfather’s in the hospital”. It sits in Andrea’s hallway now. The pendulum, made of wood, expands and contracts with the air moisture, which can cause the clock to run fast or slow depending on the season.
For my birthday recently, my husband bought me a Grandmother clock at a tag sale. (Grandfather clocks are over six feet tall. Over five feet but under six, it’s called a Grandmother). In a friend’s basement for years, we bought it for less than a nice dinner out! We cleaned it up and got it running, though we’ve yet to get it chiming. She’s a beauty, USA-made in the 1920’s.
This is one of a few scenes on my clock. My favorite is the moon face.
The value of a vintage mechanical clock is in its movement; monetarily you’ll never get back what you put in. Experts are needed for cleaning and repair, and can be difficult to find. Vintage timepieces are temperamental; owning one is like owning a pet or having a living being in the house. Still, I think they’re a beautiful way to witness time fly.
Are you a clock lover? Do you still wear a watch? What other blasts from the past do you see disappearing? Leave me a comment and let me know ya stopped by!
Until next time…Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Dori Troutman 
Nicole Christensen 
Adrienne 
diana henretty 
Cindy 
Janice Slatee 
Joan 
Elisa 
Pamela Larson 
Denise Ross 
Vivian Monroe 
Diane Van Horn 
Jan Sturgill 
C. Hampton 
Deb Bosworth 
Don Ramsey 
Meredith Williams 
bonnie ellis 
Joyce Mullikin 
Cathy 
Judith Goodell 
Sheila 
Beverly Battaglia 
Robin in New Jersey 
Teri Schneider 
Cheryl 
Alice - Farmgirl #12 
Lori Schulte 
susana 
Pat 
Andrea A 
Alison 
Sandra Levine 
Bob Arias 
Sandy 
Loretta friend 
Jennifer 
Carol Moore 
Jackie Ferri 
crlagroue 
Barb Delaney 
Nancy C 
Peggy York 
Judy 
Kristy 
ulla christensen 
Nicole,
I had 2 minutes to read this post before heading out the door… and instead I’ve taken 15 minutes to carefully read every word. And cry. And I decided I am not getting up from my desk chair until I’ve written to tell you how precious this is. I’m sure your mother loved this gift beyond measure, but this blog post will be a treasure to her as well.
She was such a darling little girl wasn’t she? (And a beautiful woman today.) Do you have any more twins in your family? I know you didn’t have twins, but did your brother? I know someone who is a triplet and she had a mother that was a twin as well as grandparents too… so it made me wonder how many more are in your family?
I just adore this blog post so much, I can’t even explain it! It makes me want to be a better gift giver.
Thanks Nicole!
– Dori, the Ranch Farmgirl – 🙂
Hi Dori!
Thank you for such a sweet, heartfelt comment! I just spoke with my mom, and yes, she loves this post and printed out a hard copy. I was never so excited for a box to come in the mail. I even messaged the seller to thank them and give them a bit of background on why I bought it.
Twins does run in our family, but neither my brother nor I had twins (I think of twins as ‘winning the baby lottery’). I wonder if someday my daughter will have twins? When my mom was born, the newspaper ran the story because they were twins born to twin parents. 🙂
Thanks again for making my day with this comment.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Nicole
What a perfect gift – and she is beautiful!
Hi Deb, Thank you! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank you, Nicole, for writing this. I just love the little Coca Cola music box from you and Russell. It has made me so happy and brought back so many memories. I miss you everyday, my beautiful daughter. I love you.
Mother
Glad you like it, Mama. Missing you too. I love you! ~Nicole
Yes, my husband thought I had accidenly tossed his bible in the recycling bin several months Go.because he had a habit of putting it in a walmart garbage bag with his newspaper he bought every sunday after church. I was sure I had tossed in the paper bin. In THE meatime. He died not knowing he had brought it in the house. Two days ago, looking for my quilts, uncovered a Wal-Mart bzg….and gurss what was in the bag? His bible! It was like I found…..a treasure! I was so overjoyed. Be cause…I found his tgouhts in the margins and he u derlibed what he read. I never knew he even read souch of the bible. But it helped me find some peace. ..knowing he did read it.I just wish we had found it sooner. Because he suffered so. Much the last two months of his life. Praying my prayers and word’s were so comforting.
Dear Susana,
I am so glad you found your husband’s Bible. How special with all of his notes and underlining in it. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Yes.its a joy as each page I read….I see a glimpse of his thoughts and thst he eve. WS artisti. And I didnt know that about him.I. hope to incorporate some of his art in quilt.
Susana, how beautiful. Hugs to you. Nicole
What a sweet story and a sweet gift for your mom! Love it!
My mom has been gone for 21 years and I miss her so much!
Enjoy the moments!
CJ
Hi CJ, thank you. I love seeing the pictures you post of you and your daughter. So sweet. You and Robin seem very close. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Gosh what an amazing story. I love that you love your mom so much you never gave up looking. I’d say that this new box will be so much more to her than her first with the love that it holds as a gift from her dearly loved children.
I’m on the look out for a record plYer and cuckoo clock from my childhood memories.
Hi Denise! Thank you. I told my mom that the little box might just be THE very same one she had. One could never know, but it’s a fun thought. I keep hoping someday I will find my dollhouse. It was accidentally left (with most of my toys) in the garage of my childhood home when we moved in the late 80’s. My dad had built it for me for Christmas, from scratch. It breaks my heart. I keep hoping it was rescued and someone will eventually put it on eBay! Happy Hunting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I hope you find your dollhouse. I used to have a lot of treasures my dad gave me… I wish I had a few….he gave me this old horn that once held gunpowder and an Indian princess doll in real leather Indian dress which was beaded. And. A war flag with Japanese writing… those things get stolen that have any value. But you…your treAsures on earth will be left behind after you die and another will take them. Your heart will be where your treasures are!
Hi Susana, Sounds like your dad was a neat guy! And of course, the best treasures on Earth are family, friends and the ones we love! 😉 Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Very cool. I bet she was so surprised and the music box made her day!! Nicely done!!
Hi Rowena, Thank you! I was losing hope that I would ever find one! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
for me it was a cookie jar, my sister accidentally broke the bottom of it when we were still at home and I have always wanted one for my own memories. My Mom kept the lid which was an animals face. Then I found it on ebay and have been thrilled with it ever since! that is so cool that you found that one for your Mom!!
Hi Denise! Oh how exciting! I bet you were just thrilled to find that! I love eBay for that. When my daughter was little, I would find old Golden Books that were out of print but were ones I like had as a child. Found them all on eBay. Awesome that you found your cookie jar. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Great column! What a sweet birthday present from you and your brother to your mom! I love the pictures of your mom as a young girl and lady, especially the current photograph! She looks great!
~~~Rose
Thanks, Rose! I love those pictures…to me they are precious. I hope I look half as good as my mom does when I am her age! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole! Such a beautiful story and very well written with such heartfelt emotional love! You are very blessed to know the history of your family ! I come from a very loving family too! Although I was adopted and very lucky to have been raised with so much love! It’s strange not knowing where you come from . Well anyway ,I’m sure your beautiful Mom was thrilled! I love what you said that your Mom said” we didn’t have much but we cherished what we had” such a simple life in the past! Happy thoughts,Cindy
Hi Cindy, Thanks for writing in. I am so glad that you enjoyed my post. I was never more excited to give my mom that little box. It’s only about three inches, but it’s filled with soooo much love. Big farmgirl hugs to you, Nicole
Nicole,
When I turned 5, my great uncle who worked as Walt Disney’s first casting director, sent me an adorable Pollyanna doll from California. She and I were about the same size and I treasured her. I don’t remember when or why my mother got rid of her. I did see one in an antique store, but she was very expensive and not in very good shape. Hopefully, one day I will find another Pollyanna doll…maybe in time for my first granddaughter!
~Laura
Hi Laura, what a neat story! I hope you do find your doll. A lot of my toys were left behind when we moved from my childhood home. I had two dolls made for me as a child that I wished I still had. One was made by my aunt, who made me a life-size likeness of ME! I played with her until I no longer played with dolls. She was so detailed, a big, rag doll that wore real human clothes. I named her Rebecca. Another one was a soft Cabbage Patch doll made by my neighbor. My dollhouse my daddy made is the one thing I really miss. Hope you do find a Pollyanna doll someday! Thanks for sharing your memories. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
What beautiful pictures to go with a beautiful story. I have an identical twin sister. Marion and I are the best of friends. Having a twin is a guarantee of a best friend for life!
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn,
Thank you, I am so glad you enjoyed the post! Love that you have a twin and call her your best friend. I am sad for my mom that she and her sister live so far away from each other now. I know my mom misses her. Thanks for commenting!
Farmgirl Hugs,
Nicole