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
susana 
Nicole Christensen 
Joan 
Pat 
Andrea A 
Dori Troutman 
Alison 
Sandra Levine 
Cindy 
Bob Arias 
Janice Slatee 
Bonnie Ellis 
Sandy 
Loretta friend 
Beverly Battaglia 
Vivian Monroe 
Jennifer 
Carol Moore 
Jackie Ferri 
crlagroue 
Adrienne 
Barb Delaney 
Deb Bosworth 
Nancy C 
Sheila 
Peggy York 
Jan Sturgill 
Judy 
Kristy 
ulla christensen 
Denise Ross 
Marci D 
Karen(old cowgirl) Montoya 
Meredith Williams 
Brenda Towsley 
Marge Hofknecht 
Jill 
Argie Ella Hoskins 
Dear Nicole,
My heart was racing through this whole post. Now we have to wait TWO WEEKS for the rest of the story? 🙁
Seriously, I’m so sad for you and what you’ve been through. Health issues are so scary. The fear of the unknown is the worst.
I hope you’re doing much better and I cannot wait to read the next part.
Big hugs and love,
Dori
Hi Dori, Awww… thanks sweetie. I am doing MUCH better. Don’t worry. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Seriously? Are you sure you arnt pregnant?i have hypo thyroid too! I have to take synth rood every morning! I don’t like it either but it is a nessessary evil! You should NOT! Be putting on weight like that! Have your doctor adjust your medication or go to an intern specialist! Let us know how your doing! Best wishes! Cindy
Hi Cindy, LOL…I wish! But no, that ship has sailed. 😉 I am not pregnant, and I think that was one theory from one of the doctors at some point. Check back next time to see how my story ends. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
There is also a pig hormone that you can take to regulate your thyroid ! It is supposedly natural? I don’t know for sure! Are you on brand name synthroid or are you on generic? I am very sensitive to ALL medications and I don’t have any problem with taking the brand name synthroid! Not the generic! Maybe try it but obviously the dose has to be incorrect! Have your blood tested often! Good luck,Cindy
Hi Cindy, I do know about that…but you’ll have to wait until next time. 😉 Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole,
I have taken medication for low thyroid ever since our son was six months old. My thyroid went wacky right after he was born, 19 years ago. I’m grateful for the medicine because it really does regulate the thyroid and helps to keep your adrenal glands and organs healthy. That being said, when I started going through menopause I had many of the same symptoms, ( add hot flashes and anxiety attacks). Not fun! I’m so sorry to hear you aren’t feeling well and I hope you get to the bottom of it and find some relief soon… Now you have me worried and guessing…Shame on you!!!
xoxo
Hugs,
Deb
Hi Deb, Well…as a “Mother Hen”, I find it hard to stop and tend to myself, (as many farmgirls and moms do), and I always know there is someone else out there struggling with worse issues than me. I also did not know what I was up against. Don’t worry, I am okay, and I’ll explain the rest in Part Two. Thank you, Deb, and Big Farmgirl Hugs to my “blogging sis”, Nicole
Oh, I feel so badly for you. Please give us part 2 soon.
Could you also have fibromyalgia?
Hi Joyce, Oh, thank you. There are soooo many illnesses that have similar symptoms, fibromyalgia included. I applaud doctors for being able to diagnose and treat the many things we humans can have that ail us. Part two will go live two weeks from today. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
My Dear Farmgirl Friend,
I loved your post this morning, not that you are feeling low and not well, but your honesty. I know just how you feel, it is just like someone knocked you over and then over and over again. I’ve had two r.a. flare ups since 2013, had to use a walker to walk
but I slowly started my own physical therapy starting with 10 steps on my own and now I can walk 3 miles on my own.
Keep your chin up, life will get better and better. Spoil yourself, surround yourself with everything that you love, and pray. You are in my prayers from the Ozarks…hugs to you this morning, Diana, Noel, Mo.
Hi Diana,You go girl! You are another reader who inspires me. I have to say, my farmgirl sisters are the best (it was farmgirls who first figured out I wasn’t “myself”, too). Prayers and hugs right back to you, Nicole
Oh dear. I felt the same way when I starting having seizures at 30 and need to take medication every day for the rest of my life. I’m sorry this happened to you and I know you’re dealing with a “new normal” as those of us who have cancer refer to it. When you’re feeling down with your diagnosis and future, know that those of us, your readers, have faith and confidence in your ability to handle this invasive challenge in your healthy lifestyle. I believe in you.
Hi Adrienne, Have I ever told you how much your wonderful comments mean to me? I am so blessed to “meet” wonderful people like you here. Adrienne, YOU inspire ME. I hope this finds you feeling fabulous! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
So sorry to hear of your ills – not sorry you shared about it though because there is always a ‘person beware’ factor to everyone’s story. Am hoping all is well now and will look forward to hearing from you. God bless.
Hi Joan, Thank you, sweet friend. I am not trying to scare anyone, but hope that I can inspire someone who reads it and may be feeling the way I was. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
This is such a complicated issue! I did go to an endocrinologist when I decided to take a step in another direction after the usual ‘normal’ thyroid reading from my regular internist. Actually, my pharmacist (also does bio-identical hormones for me) suggested it..Otherwise I would still be plodding along with nothing…. The endo. found nodules on my thyroid and ordered an ultrasound, so that we would have a marker for the future. I have had one ultrasound since then, and the readings show that the nodules are not growing. My endo. said that it points to Hashimoto’s Throiditis. Supposedly there is a blood test ( I was not told about this at the time and did not have it) that can help diagnose. The diagnosis is in my file..
This has been over 6 years ago, and I do take Levoxyl (T4) every day. I do not take the generic. I know that there are more natural alternatives, but this seems to be the most easy for me. Like you, I prefer a natural treatment options!
My advice to you is to find a GREAT endocrinologist and research…research…research… It seems that the anxieties that I felt during menopause almost TOTALLY WENT AWAY when I started my thyroid medications. Does this mean that the thyroid was the deep problem all the time and the other changes going along with menopause were not? Complicated, my friend! Hang in there!
Hi Jan, I am glad to hear you are feeling better, and you are so right: research, research, research…
Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
So sorry to hear this. Our bodies do strange things even when we try to do everything right. My sister has this same condition. I’m anxious to get part 2 and I hope it works out for the best. Take care.
Thank you, Cathy. Part two will be out in two weeks. My best to your sister. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I hope your condition has improved and you are back to your normal healthy habits and routines. I’m eager to hear the rest of your story as my energy level has dropped significantly, projects are unfinished, I’m over whelmed by garden tasks yet to be completed and the worst is I have days when I can do nothing. I have accepted my current condition as ‘just getting old’. But I have not seen a doctor; partly because I do not have much faith in modern medicine and partly because I’m afraid they will find something that I must face alone. My comments won’t interest anyone but I wanted to let you know I care.
Hi Judith, Oh sweetie, thank you for sharing. I wanted to write this because I often felt “off”, but as we age it is sometimes hard to distinguish if it is stress, if what we feel is age… I also wondered that if that is how I felt at this age, how would I be twenty years from now? Part two will be out in two weeks, but please, do take care of yourself. If there is something that needs attention, waiting can make things worse. You didn’t mention where you are, but we farmgirls stick together, and you are not alone. Being part of MaryJane’s farmgirl sisterhood makes the world so much cozier. Big farmgirl hugs to you, Nicole
My very good friend’s daughter is going through something similar and has had many, many tests and has been put on a variety of antibiotics for Lyme disease. There is definitely something else wrong, but so far no one has been able to pinpoint the problem. She is also from Connecticut and is in her 30’s. She has had a fever that won’t go away and suffers from extreme fatigue. I will be passing your information on to her; perhaps she will use this as an avenue to pinpoint what else may be happening to her. Thanks for writing this. I felt quite similar when I had a bout of Epstein-Barr in my late 30’s and early 40’s. Meditation, yoga and changing my eating habits (along with wonderful and supportive friends) helped me get through it. Hope things will turn around soon for you. Stay strong and stay positive!
Hi Sheila, Thank you for reading and commenting. I am doing well, but it was a very long journey. I hope your friend’s daughter finds relief soon. My heart goes out to her. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
When you were a baby, you hardly took naps; as a toddler you were always a “busy little bee”. Your energy last July when I visited you, wore me out and I went home thinner from the activity and eating such good organic vegetables, etc. that you cooked for us. I think I know “the rest of the story”, but anxious to read Part 2. I love you, always, my active, interesting and full of life daughter! Mother
Hi Mom! I am giggling at this sweet comment. Thank you. Thank you for always worrying over me. I love you, Nicole
Dearest Nicole,
I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis over 13 years ago and have done pretty well other than a few flare ups a year. Last year I started feeling just like you. I wasn’t myself, no energy and not sleeping well plus I gained 30 pounds in just three months. Went to Doctor and had the normal TSH test for thryroid. I was low so he prescribed Synthroid and I started to feel a little better but still not right. So I started doing my own research and have been treating with Natural Desiccated Thyroid from pigs. I am dosing myself in accordance with my symptoms. I will tell you more after I hear your part 2. It is great of you to share your story and look forward to hearing more.
Hi Diane, Thank you for sharing in the comments. I look forward to hearing more from you, too. Big Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
My 17 year old daughter was diagnosed with Hoshimotos disease a month ago. We are going to an endo dr. next week. I had nodules on my thyroid 12 years ago and had to have radioactive iodine treatment. I have been taking Synthroid for 10 years. I am still tired all the time. Sometimes I drag myself through the day. I hope part 2 of your story will have some additional info that will help and encourage. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Robin, Part two will publish in about two weeks. Big hugs to you and your daughter! ~ Nicole
I don’t think I saw anyone mention this, but there is a wonderful site called Hypothyroid Mom on Facebook that is loaded with information and encouragement for all types of thyroid diseases. I have hypothyroidism and it has been VERY helpful. Best wishes for you!
Hi Teri, Yes, I have seen her post on Facebook before, too. Thanks for sharing! She does have a lot of info. But please tune in in two weeks for my conclusion…Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Please research celiac disease, which is what I have. Good luck
Hi Cheryl, Yes, on my journey, I learned all about Celiac disease as well. There are so many things like this with similar symptoms. Hope you are doing well. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Have been thinking about you like crazy and hoping that all is well. I’m sorry to hear about this bump in the road and looking forward to Part 2. Love you.
Hi Ali! I have been thinking about you, too. Miss you, and all the ‘girls’, too. Now that school is almost out, we will have to all get together. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole, glad to hear you are finding out more and you are ok. I pray the Lord Jesus keep you in excellent health, and remember 1John 4v17….as He is, so are we in this world…
Whatever it is, He has got you covered. AMEN! Be Blessed in your health. Neta
Thank you Vivian! Great verse to remember. Blessings right back at you! Farmgirl hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole,
I flying through reading your post. You had me on the edge of my seat wondering what what was coming next.
I just wanted to say, that my daughter has Hasimotos thyroid it’s too. She was diagnosed at age 11, with it. Thyroid issues run in my husbands mothers side, both my husband and his mother are on the thyroxine. If she doesn’t take her meds she goes down hill very quickly with her energy. With my daughter too, Shias all her growing and me trial hormones to deal with too on top of it all as well as iron deficiency issues, she gets that one from me, isn’t she so lucky x:)?. But I think there is a natural way of dealing with it that some patients of mine have told me about, but it can’t recall what it is.
I wish you all the very best in your health life story and pray for good health for you and patience along the way,
Hugs
Denise
Hi Denise, Thank you for sharing, and for your support! Love my farmgirl Sisters! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Denise, blanketing you with not only my prayers and love, but envisioning the healing, rejuvenating beautiful white light of love surrounding you and encompassing you with its positive energies. Be at peace and be well as you live in the light of His Love.