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| Fete Avec Moi |
Thanksgiving is fast approaching. It
was time to update our apartment's front stoop. Several years ago, I
purchased these adorable pilgrims from The Christmas Tree Shops. The
amazing thing is despite acid rain, neighbors' children, and all they
are still in good shape. This weekend I hauled them out and propped
them up. Of course a yellow ribbon was tied around their waste so
that they don't blow away in the wind. This afternoon was quite
breezy.
I remember going for walks with my
father near Iona College in years gone by. Many an afternoon of my
childhood was spent on that campus. And this was long before I was
old enough to even be thinking of which college I was going to
attend. My dad was a quiet man. But a kind man. He quietly made a
difference in many students' lives. Several are immensely grateful
for his assistance in getting into Medical School or Schools of
Engineering. I learned to tinker from him. He use to call me his
little engineer. Well while looking up ideas for holiday decorations
(don't want to give away too much to spoil blog posts to come), I
came across a great idea. Taking a man's belt and adding sleigh
bells. You can see the original concept blog at:
http://restlessoasis.blogspot.ca/2012/12/diy-sleigh-bells.html.
So simple; yet so elegant. The blogger at Restless Oasis was more
clever and poked holes all down the belt. But for me this was enough
bling.
My dad worked hard in his early years.
His father passed away when he was just a small child. Small tidbits
of information still float around in my brain about his jobs in
gladiola fields, silver shops, and something with leather. Before
becoming the great professor of Chemistry that he is more famous for
having done.
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| Fete Avec Moi |
Luckily my mother still had some of my
dad's brown belts. Thanks for having them for me, Mom. Today at the
Christmas Tree Shop, I found inexpensive gold glittered sleigh bells.
I fed those through the holes of dad's well worn belt. I love that
the hide of the belt is strained from all the tightening and
un-tightening from dad wearing it. I think it gives it added
character. I topped it off with a nice green, gold, and red bow.
I think this sleigh bell decoration is
perfect for this time of year. So many generations took this time of
year to reconnect with family. They bundled the family into the wagon
and drove to visit family. As the song says, “Over the river and
through the woods...” To me, this decoration is reminiscent of that
and reminds me of my Dad. As my father passed away the morning after
Thanksgiving celebrations one year, this time of year also always
brings him to mind. This piece will continue to do that for me as I
walk past it hanging in our dining area.
