There is a Silver Lining

 

(Photo by Vicki Macrae in Skinner's Butte Park, Eugene, Oregon)

Could it be? Is that spring right around the corner? We are getting closer, that's for sure. The weather is showing us signs too, at least in Oregon. 

I spoke with my brother who lives in Tennessee, not too far outside of Nashville. They were suffering through an electrical outage due to heavy snow fall and ice building up over the snow. Snow is clinging to everything, including the fallen snow. My 95-year-old mother lives with him and she is sleeping in the living room beside the fireplace to keep warm. Although she is loving it, I heard a few days later they finally had electricity restored and all is good in that aspect of things. Now to get rid of the falling and residual snow and ice ...

In Roseburg, for the past couple of weeks, we have been experiencing temperatures in the 50s and 60s. It feels like spring here. I read articles daily about how the rest of the country seems to be suffering through horrid snow and ice storms. My heart goes out to everyone dealing with that. 

***

All is basically the same old thing here in terms of life. My "new daughter," as I call her, came over the other day to begin our binge-watch of the newest four episodes of Bridgerton. Each season they focus on one family member in particular. This season is a brother who, shall we say, is a man whore. He is constantly with women, men, a mix, he doesn't care. Now he has met his match and the fun begins. Silly men. We get them every time. 

***

I have accomplished my goal of completing a project in my vintage and antique jewelry redefinition. Finally found some time to complete one out of many to come. I began by working on a necklace consisting of trade beads and some resin beads combined. But as I was crafting something new from the old, I looked for anything that would fit into the blend and match the millefiori tube bead I applied to the necklace as the focal point. 

Millefiori tube bead from the late 1800s to early 1900s. 

As I searched, I dug through a box labeled, "Odd jewelry" and came out with a pair of vintage clip on earrings consisting of tiny faux pearls and a gold-tone "ribbon" as the theme. 

I loved the colors and the design is true to form of the '50s or '60s costume jewelry. My mind immediately lost interest in the necklace (squirrel!), as I stopped to consider what I could do with this. I began by grabbing the back clip-on feature and checked to see how it was working. The item was definitely doomed in terms of working as well as it once did. But alas, sweet jewel, I cannot let thy history die because of a broken clasp. Thus began my day ... Yes. I did say, "thus."

Bending the clasp backward, I broke it off. It took some twisting and pulling but I managed. The base of the clasp where the "hammer" comes together to hold it onto the ear lobe was molding the way I wanted it to. I bent it upward and back into itself on the back of the piece. 

There were several other processes before it was ready, but all in all, I believe we have lift-off Houston. As I bent, modified, and redefined the piece, I began to do some research on the age and possible maker. In the '30s to the '70s, highly collectible Trifari brand costume jewelry was very popular, providing ways for housewives to look beautiful, without the high price tags of other jewelry. 

Finding the brand name on the back of the earring, that really set the research in motion. I just had to do something with these earrings if they were made by a well known jewelry manufacturer and especially since they are highly collectible. I want to keep that history of these pieces in tact as much as possible. The second earring seemed to be missing a faux pearl but the two together, now there has to be something ...

After bending and weaving the metal of the earring clasp, I found a use for the original artwork. The history of this piece came back to life, with a little modern-style help. 

"It's alive!"

I feel as though the natural patina and style of this piece is still there, as it was when it was first crafted by Trifari. The necklace allows it to remain intact of its historical value, with a different presentation. I will find some replacement faux pearl beads to replace the lost one in the other earring to create another necklace. 

I love the necklace and if it does not sell, that's okay too. My husband and I will have to move out, but I will keep it along with the enormous amount of jewelry I already have. Scary part is that I don't really wear a lot of jewelry because of the work I do. I don't want to lose anything while I'm roaming around all over the place. Plus, I am uncoordinated enough to really suck at wearing necklaces. I have caught them on things getting in and out of the car, or even ended up with sticking my finger or hand through them accidentally, almost breaking the chain. Yes, I am talented in that way. I stopped wearing long necklaces in particular, and then eventually stopped wearing any at all while working. 

***

Terry purchased this guy several months ago and I finally hung it up. I think he's cute and he also makes a damn fine necklace holder. 😀😁😉Ah, it's the little things that make us happy. 

***

Terry took me out to dinner the other night, for no other occasion other than, why not? So, off we went to Sizzler, where the steaks are pretty dang good and the baked potatoes are awesome. Plus, they have a salad bar, and that's so very important to both of us (cough, cough), or at least I would like to tell my diabetes dietician that line. It makes her happy. 

I had the salad bar, believe it or not. Sweet man ordered a steak and baked potato, as he usually does at Sizzler. He also had the salad bar, but I think it was mostly to snag some chocolate ice cream before leaving, in true diabetic form. 

Putting some green things on my plate, I headed back to the table. Soon our very capable waitress brought his steak and potato. It all looked great and I became envious. I should have the steak. Mine was good, but still. The grass is always greener on the other side I do believe.  

One thing about Terry's steaks that he gets there, is the shape. No, not the shape they make Terry upon eating them, but the grilled steak when it arrives. We both make fun of them and joke about what end of the cow they came from. They are shaped like kidney beans. 

Maybe the shape could be considered as an island's shape ...  and this one has a flag post so Terry can stick a flag on it and claim it as his. 

All in all, he says the steaks are good, so I guess that's what counts. It does give us something to laugh at before he eats them though. 

***

While delivering, I will often stop off at nice places to get photos of the view. Once again, I hit the Myrtle Creek area for a delivery, and happened to get a couple more of the beautiful bridge and river that flows through the city. 

In the distance, I could see rippling by the bank. I zoomed in at one point and saw that it was a few ducks enjoying a daily swim.  

And the bridge. The beautiful bridge. Can't forget the bridge! As I travel through Myrtle Creek or further south the next time, I will have to get a better picture of the bridge, or a photo of the other side of the bridge. 

***

Well, off I go again, delivering who knows what to who knows where. We are leaving this here for now. Yes, a very short post this time, but that's okay, isn't it? You can catch up on your reading of other posts now, if you are lacking any of them. LOL. 

Please take care of yourselves. Hugs and light sent to all in the times we are living through in this country at the present time. May you all be blessed, loved, and find joy these coming months. 

Be cool,

Vicki & Terry Macrae

Two trouble-causing old people