Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Spark Plugs, A Sewing Machine, History Lessons


Here we have a dangling wisteria bloom, about to burst into flower. Since I took that picture this morning, some of the blooms have already revealed their purple faces. When it happens, it happens fast. 

We had two fine visitors today. Jessie went on a beach adventure with Vergil and the boys yesterday instead of letting them go off alone so that she could do her shopping and so we told her we'd take them for her today while she went to the stores. And we had fun. 

Mr. Moon had ordered some spark plugs for the tractor and they had arrived so there was a spark plug replacement tutorial today. 


It began in the kitchen with unboxing and then proceeded outside for the actual work. I did a little work outside myself, cleaning out the hen house. Levon tore himself away from the tractor for a little while to come and discuss chickens and poop with me. He offered to help but I told that he didn't need to get all poopy. August spied a tiny little oak snake in the garage when he and Boppy went in to get something and Boppy took it outside where we all looked at it. He said that he walked right by it but that August saw it right away. 
As I told August a few hours later when I was trying to thread my sewing machine needle, young eyes are the best eyes and he should do as much looking now as he can. 
Lunch was a circus and a pickle-tasting. It's always exciting, trying to figure out who gets which plate, who gets which drinking vessel, who wants this on their sandwich, who wants that. Levon had already eaten a rather large carrot from the garden and wasn't very hungry but August was. I really do not know where the child puts all that food. I mean, I really don't. 

Both boys wanted pillows, of course, and so I told them that we'd make them but I wanted them to help. And they happily did. I don't know why but I just love showing them how the sewing machine works and talking about that whole process. The cutting out, the pinning, the filling of the bobbin, the threading of the machine. They are so impressed at fast I can sew. Of course, they've never seen anyone else sew so their frame of reference is a bit skewed. They had questions. What is this for? And this thing? What does this do? Why do you need to back-up when you're sewing? Why don't you sew backwards all the time? We even had a little history lesson about Isaac Singer who I mistakenly told them had invented the sewing machine. We talked about how women made all the clothes and sewed the curtains and tablecloths and EVERYTHING and how sewing machines made that so much easier. It even got down to the level of "How many stitches are in clothes?" 
"Hundreds."
"Five hundred?"
"Probably more."
They each stuffed their own pillows and when August asked Levon what the stuffing felt like, he replied, "Precious."
He's precious. 
Levon got quite impatient for me to finish stitching his pillow up after he'd stuffed it to his satisfaction. I was stitching August's pillow by then and I kept telling him to be patient. Finally I told him, "Don't have a cow!" which they both found hysterical. 
When both of their pillows were done, they were so very happy. I'd tried to sell them on the idea of pillow cases but no, they knew I had stuffing and they wanted to use it. August told me that I could make his pillow with the stuffing in some "white material" and then use the other material with a zipper on it to cover that. I guess he's been studying pillows and how they're made. I assured him that I would not be putting a zipper in his pillow. 
No way. No how. I haven't put in a zipper for thirty years and I don't plan on doing it now. 


They were satisfied with what they got. 
I looked up Isaac Singer online and had to admit to August that I had been wrong about some things. Mr. Singer did NOT invent the sewing machine. He just stole the idea and patented it. He also had twenty-four children being, "enthusiastic about women" as one short bio of him I read described him. When he died, he was in possession of 13 million dollars which was a huge sum of money in 1875. So I learned a lot too. And overall, it was just so much fun to talk to the boys about things, to tell them that my sewing machine still worked so well because my grandmother took good care of it and then my mother took good care of it and now I take good care of it. They told me that when I die they will take care of it and that thought makes me so happy. I told them that if they did, maybe someday they would be making pillows for their grandchildren on it. I don't think they were able to truly envision this but it's a cool thought. 

They got to ride around the yard on the four-wheeler with their Boppy and they also got to watch a little TV. All-in-all, it was a most enjoyable day. And educational! When their mama got here they were ready to pack up and go. They took their pillows and each got SIX M&M's which was a rich bounty for them. 

I hope they sleep well on their new pillows under their blankets. The thought of that makes me happy too. They are sweet, cheerful fellows and watching them grow and being part of that process is such a joy. 

Time to go make the pizza. Are you cooking corned beef and cabbage tomorrow? Or cabbage and potatoes and carrots if you are a better person than I and don't eat meat? I'm going to be simmering my own cabbage and carrots with my potatoes and corned beef. I am looking forward to that. 
And also looking forward to seeing more blooming wisteria. 
It's good to have things to look forward to.

Love...Ms. Moon







32 comments:

  1. ah, those boys and the learning that goes on in those growing brains.....it's wonderful for all of you. Pillows and blankets and tractors....... I remember sewing a cat pillow with my goddaughter when she was about 6....she drew the design, letting her sew on my ancient machine and fearing with every stitch that she might sew her finger......but she did well and she (now 31) recalls that sleepover/sewing bee fondly. Makes me happy.
    I'm a day early, but home all day and am simmering the corned beef and cabbage and veggies....the house smells so good....and dinner is being much anticipated by both of us! Wisteria.......sigh. When I was in my 20's and lived in my hippie 100 year old house in Pacific Grove (CA).....I had a wisteria........it was ancient even then......but it was a highlight in my then-life
    Susan M

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    1. Oh, how I wish I could see that hippie 100 year old house. I know I would love it.
      My house is smelling good now, too.
      And soon I will start letting August sew if he wants. Thank you for reminding me of what a good thing that would be.

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  2. Isn’t it wonderful to think of your grandchildren using the very things that you and those before you used? My great grandfather brought a beautiful turkey platter from Germany, and it’s been passed from his wife to my grandmother, to my mother, to me, to my daughter, and just recently to my granddaughter. It’s been used once or twice a year since 1918, and the fact that my granddaughter will be using it on Thanksgiving makes me all warm and fuzzy.

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    1. Oh Catrina! That is so special.
      I, too, have a traditional (for us) turkey platter but it's melanine and I got it at the dime store in Monticello back in the '70's. Not as old, not nearly as special, but we use it and laugh.

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  3. I see that Levon is wearing his grandmother made frock. Those boys are my heart's delight, Pillows , so wonderful.You just know that they will bring sweet dreams. To top it all off a bit of education along with stitches. Ahhh the boys have a great life.

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    1. Actually, that dress came from a bag of hand-me-down clothes that someone gave Jessie. Levon loves it. I did sew it up for him where there was a rip. If he asks me too, I will make him more dresses. As you know.

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  4. Actually, tomorrow is the middle of the month, and that means I will begin removing meals from the freezer and be home free from cooking for two weeks. I will go find my Erin go braugh pin right this minute, though, to wear it to lunch with Ruth tomorrow.

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    1. What a beautiful way to organize cooking! I love it. I hope you had a good time at lunch.

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  5. Mary your stories about those boys mean so much to me. I have not seen my great grandson in such a long time. We used to have him every weekend. He is seven and on the autism spectrum so a handful. But I miss him so. We are fully vaccinated but surrounded by those against it and they have children he loves.

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    1. That is so unfair. I know you must be truly suffering. I hope you can safely see him soon.

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  6. My St Patrick celebration extends to wearing a lovely bright green jacket.
    Oh, and there'll be parsley celery soup and that's green, too.

    What great learners those boys are. I think my brain would be tired keeping up.

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    1. As I said on your post today- you wear the green, I'll cook the corned beef and cabbage.
      My brain IS tired when I've spent time with my grandchildren. Their brains run about a thousand times faster than mine.

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  7. What memories you are giving those boys...and yourself!

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    1. Absolutely. I hope they are good memories for the boys.

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  8. What's with the corned beef and cabbage? Is it a St.Patrick's day thing over there?
    Our wisteria hasn't even got any buds yet...just bare branches! Actually it isn't ours, it visited us a few years ago from next door and we are now training it along wires on our side.

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    1. Yes. And I have no idea why. For me it's just an excuse to make my once-a-year corned beef. And I don't even usually do it but I have the cabbage in the garden so, why not?
      If the wisteria is on your side, it is your wisteria. That's my opinion, anyway. At least the part that's on your side!

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  9. It's great you were able to share the pillow-making with the boys, to give them an idea of how such items are created!

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    1. I think August had already done the research. Good lord!

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  10. Inquisitive minds want to know! I love that about August and Levon. Just so interested in all aspects of life. And fortunate in their parents and grandparents.

    Forgot to buy a corned beef or cabbage or carrots or potatoes...so no St Patrick's Day dinner this year. Ah well. I am wearing green with a shamrock scarf, but mostly because my 6 yr old GS is here today for virtual schooling so we'll be joining the class in wearing the green. My Irish grandmother (born in 1877 in Connemara) might even have approved or more likely have been puzzled. I never knew her as she died 21 years before I was born when my father was still a teenager.

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    1. Do they even eat corned beef in Ireland? I have no idea. Whatever. I don't even wear green. I have absolutely no special feelings about St. Patrick's day but I do like corned beef and cabbage.

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  11. That sounds like a really fun day for you and the boys! I am cooking corned beef in the crockpot so the house smells good! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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    1. My house smells good now too! Enjoy your dinner!

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  12. What a fun ... brilliant ... posting today! Absolutely love your blog!
    Ah me ... no corned beef & cabbage with carrots and little potatoes for me today! I will be having chili & cornbread ... leftovers!

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  13. That was a lovely read, I am all smitten with these boys.
    Corned beef for Patrick's day??? Where on earth.
    If anything, roast beef. Better still, soda bread and smoked salmon.

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    1. Don't ask me why, Sabine. I have no idea. It is, by now, an American tradition.
      And there will be soda bread. Mr. Moon's favorite.

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  14. Oh what a lovely report. And those pictures of the man and boys, just beautiful. I see Mr. Moon has trimmed his covid beard and looks very handsome! Those boys look happy as can be with their pillows in Boppy's arms.

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    1. Yes! Mr. Moon has trimmed his beard and gotten his hair cut. He does look handsome. I keep telling him that. He didn't trim his beard too short. Those boys love to pull on it.
      And yes, the boys were very happy.

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  15. I think it's lovely that you're teaching the boys about sewing - and it's not just all tractors over your way. My Irish friend has had her little boy sewing since about age 5 and I think that's great, although "Why don't you sew backwards all the time?" is just a classic isn't it!

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    1. I had to stop and think about why we DON'T always sew backwards. I finally said, "Well, we're just not used to it so we go forwards." That seemed to satisfy them.

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  16. another fun day with the boys. St. Patrick's Day, another 'holiday' we ignore though I am wearing a green shirt but not by design. it just happened that way. the wisteria here is a little behind. I guess the artic freeze gave them pause.

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    1. I don't celebrate either. I just like corned beef. Plus- it's a meal I didn't have to come up with on my own.
      I wonder how bloomy your wisteria will be after its freeze.

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