Monday, November 17, 2008

Fun Monday - Talismans

Margaret the Misanthrope is hosting Fun Monday this week:
Do you have a piece of jewelry or other item that holds great personal significance for you, and that you wear or keep with you every day? Show us a photo of your talisman, and tell us why it is so important to you.

Again... I thought this would be easy. I realized, however, that I am not normally attached to things. I do have a wedding ring and an engagement ring but I don't wear them. My fingers are a lot fatter these days than they were when I got them. My goal is to wear them both again someday. As a rule, though, I don't wear jewelry. I have a few pieces that I really like, but only wear once in a while.

So I started thinking about other things... Things I hang onto for no other reason than sentiment.

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At the top is a diamond ring that belonged to my great-grandmother. My grandmother wore it for a while, then sent it to me. I wear it every now and then. Great-grandmother had rather large fingers, so I can actually wear it now. When my hands are thinner, I wear it on my middle finger. The figure below it is a pin that my grandmother ordered from a bramble jelly company in England. He was the mascot, though very un-pc. He lives in my jewerly box and not on my lapel, but I remember eating that jelly and getting that pin from her.

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These are perfume atomizers. Once upon a time, they lived on my mother's dressing table. Mom's dressing table was a magical place. I could sit in front of it for hours and examine all the cool things on it. She still has the dressing table, but I have the atomizers. They used to have net-covered squeezy bulbs on them but they've disintegrated. The silver jars are still intact.

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And this is Amelia Bearhart. My dad got her for me when I was flying to sit in the other seat and keep me company when I was up in the air. It is not uncommon for pilots to have "company" when they fly. She used to have goggles, but my son got a hold of her and chewed them in half. She looked pretty silly with one eye part hanging down on each side of her face, so I took them off. The dogtag reads: Sayre First Solo 3/13/89 N87JR. I don't fly anymore, but I keep Amelia around to remind me of the freedom I felt high above the ground - and all my troubles.

Now ya'll go visit the Misanthrope and see what everyone else carries around with them!

20 comments:

Sandcastle Momma said...

You have your pilot's license? That is really cool. You'll have to tell us that story one day!
I love your talismans. Those atomizers are really neat. I found 2 pretty ones not long ago but the lady wanted $150 each for them. They weren't that pretty LOL

SwampAngel65 said...

I completely forgot about you flying! LOVE Amelia Bearhart...very special, as are your other sentimental pieces.

IamwhoIam said...

I know flying is expencive, but I think it would be hard to give it up. The perfume bottles are neat but my guess is they require dusting and I not dust.

Faye said...

The things we find out from blogging! So you were a pilot at one time? Oddly enough, I took flying lessons also about 30 years ago--from Mr. Green's Flying Service. Thing I remember best was using an interstate highway as a marker to practice turns. Sadly, the math scared me away before I ever soloed so don't have license.

Good luck with your word bank!

Jill said...

when my husband went to seattle for a summer internship, and also when i had my appendix removed, we had a stuffed tigger that either A rode shotgun with me while i was all alone or B was roped into my seatbelt to shelter my sore area from being rubbed. so i totally get the bear thing.

Anonymous said...

Sayre, how cool! I would love to hear about your flying days. And thank you for sharing all your items and their histories - that was a perfect Fun Monday post! Thanks again!

Jan n Jer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jan n Jer said...

Wow, that is so cool you being a pilot. I love the bear, what a nice gesture from your Dad. My hubby took flying lessons but never got his pilot license.

Ali said...

WOW! The Robertson's Golly brooches!! I used to have hundreds of those in all shapes forms and occupations. I loved them so much before they became non PC. What a memory jogger this has been for me!

Sai Hijara - Ferraris said...

I've been wanting to fly...please bring me up...up...in the sky! ;)

And love your post...makes me miss my grandma!

Unknown said...

The brooch is funny...well, what's funny is that a small piece of jewelry can be considered offensive...I do love the Amelia Bearheart story

Jan said...

Great post. I also love the Amelia Bearhart-flying connection. I'll second or third the motion that you do some post about your flying. You're such a good writer.

Anonymous said...

I love the teddy bear. Very clever.

A friend of mine inherited her grandmother's 1 karat diamond ring. After she cleaned it up -wow did that stone shine. It made our eyes hurt....and then we all wanted one too!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic Fun Monday post :)
I had to get my rings resized when I poured a pot of boiling water over my hand and burned it all. I got the rings off quickly but the only bit that scarred was around the rings so to have them comfortable I had to get them resized.

Living Life said...

You have a nice collection of talismans. I especially like the bear. That was very fitting for you to have during your flying days.

karatemom said...

omg I am a total packrat no joke..I have everything ..everything is sentimental to me..( so basically im mental)..I have books of notes from public school I wont toss out. I have a million zillion we things I continue to hold on to .and every now and then go through convinced I will toss them but then i cannot.

its terrible really but in those items ( yes all of them) there are small happy times for me)..
its the only reason i can see ...I know my home life was really really bad ..so i think i cling to things...for my peaceful memories..not people.

Anonymous said...

I love Amelia Bearhart! that was so thoughtful of your dad

Anonymous said...

love your collection of memories, reminded me so much of both my grans, take care Judyx

Patience said...

I have a small cedar box that once held candy. It was given to my grandmother by my grandfather before they were married. The hinges and latch have long rusted off, and now the lid just sits on top of the box. But I would take no amount of $$$ for it!

Tiggerlane said...

That is unbelievably cool!! I am so impressed!

BTW, after midnight tonight, you will have been tagged!

:-)