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Something from the Past

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Wednesday 7 December 2011

Something from the Past

There is still so much to do at my father’s house. Superficially all looks just the same and I go from time to time to do a bit more “sorting”. 
When I open the door I often imagine I will hear  “Hello love, marvelous to see you”,  his customary greeting and when I stay overnight I rewind the Grandfather clock, because to sleep in the empty house without its comforting tick, tock and chime would be unbearable. As far back as I can remember the clock has marked our minutes, hours, days and years.
I go back to try and sort a few more things, bring a few useful and familiar items back to the ugly bungalow and I try hard to throw a few things away. I am failing badly here.  It is all made more difficult because Dad made notes on everything. On things, in things, about thing and under things. Little notes, in his increasingly shaky handwriting with descriptions, optimistic valuations, dimensions and dates, turn up everywhere.  I moved an old radio which was almost rooted to the kitchen shelf .. and sure enough underneath is a little note. On it is written dimensions and frequencies. It has not been looked at for years.

Then upstairs there are still the old photos. They are in 2 shoeboxes, with makeshift cardboard dividers cut from old packaging, and in old used envelopes, all roughly titled:… “Frank”, (Dads brother) “Our family”, “Other People”,” Joyce’s family”, “Holidays abroad”  etc, etc.   My sister and I have poured over them and put them back. 
When I was last home I found a slender unmarked envelope containing  just   a few old holiday snaps.  I had missed it before but, inside it, was this! Faded, and of course just about the only thing in the house without a note or a date or anything…it’s a little Polaroid, taken years ago. It must have been in the 1970’s.
It’s Mum and Dad.. Beekeepers! It made me smile..

 beekeeping ghosts

I also found one of the beekeeping suits.. I am keeping it .. just in case!

5 Comments:

Blogger Shady Gardener said...

You SHOULD keep it! :-)

8 December 2011 at 01:58  
Blogger Mark Hofreiter said...

Wonderful! They look as though they are heavily walking on a distant planet, 'Look at the little flying inhabitants of this world! Do you think there'r little cups of tea here too...!'

8 December 2011 at 18:08  
Blogger sharp green pencil said...

SG .. I will .. I havent tried in on yet though :).. it looks enormous!!
Mark.. giggle..Indeed!! ghosts of another planet. There would have to be cups of tea and of course toast and honey. x

9 December 2011 at 05:54  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have spent the last year and a half doing the "sorting" of my aunts possessions. So many memories, as we were all really close to her, she was our friend as much as anything; photos, letters, menus, programmes all now in my attic (I'll sort them some time) - just not yet!

I love your beekeeping photo - seems that bees are truly in your blood!

9 December 2011 at 22:44  
Blogger moonsword said...

Great fun that someone was able to capture that moment on film! It's so nice that you have a treasure of old family photos and can scan them in. Our family photos were lost to a flood years ago and I miss all those serendipitous shots. Thanks for sharing. :)

12 December 2011 at 10:41  

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