Meet the little spools of copper wire I recently found in R-basement.
I love the colors, especially the aqua spool. I decided the wire might come in handy for embellishing a card or a gift or anything else we might whip up on my studio workbench. Or, at least, they’re awfully fun to look at on the shelf with my rubber band ball. Don’t you think?
These spools are just the latest treats I’ve uncovered from the treasure trove of vintage goodies R-house contains.
Which reminds me. Have I mentioned I live in the midst of my own personal estate sale? No?
Let me explain…
Somewhere back around 1940 or so, a young woman named Adeline and her husband had a sweet little house built for themselves. Perhaps they were newlyweds, I’m not sure. I do know Adeleine was around 25 years old. I also know that after the house was finally ready, they moved in—and they never moved out.
While Adeline and her man lived here, they raised a couple babies, built their own screen porch, added on to the kitchen, created custom fine jewelry out of the basement, ran their own mini printing press (also out of the basement), did something I haven’t yet figured out involving dozens of electronic “tubes,” sewed, decoupaged, canned, gardened, hosted parties, mixed drinks, wallpapered, tiled, remodeled, rewired, sang in the church choir, practiced photography, studied science, ice skated, fished, camped, served in at least one war, and, I truly hope, thoroughly enjoyed themselves and each other in the midst of it all.
I know they did every one of those things (and probably many more) because they left behind the remnants. Pristine, vintage, to-die-for remnants filled with life and history.
I love that about this house.
I love knowing that one family grew up here. I love knowing so much about their lives. I love incorporating their old well-loved treasures into our lives.
I have heard that Adeline also grieved in this house. Her husband died somewhere along the line, leaving her as a single mom to one daughter and one son…
I don’t know how she would feel to know that even seemingly insignificant supplies like her (or her husband’s?) copper wire now have a place of honor on the studio workbench upstairs in her beloved home. Her home where the creativity and life and projects continue. Her home where a single mom is raising a daughter and son. Her home that it is now R-house.
I hope she would smile.
I know I do.
by julie rybarczyk
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