Remembering Barbie . . .

This story was first posted on this day in 2015. I never want to stop sharing my thoughts about my beloved friend Barbie, so please allow me to repeat these words. Thank you.

Today would have been my cherished, loved and treasured friend, Barbie’s 58^th birthday had she not passed away five years ago and much too soon.

I met Barbie in 1982 at a fund-raising event at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, FL.  For the next 30 years we had a friendship that was sisterly. I could fill up more than 30 pages telling of the many events that we shared together, but I rather do so with pictures. And you may ask, what does this recalling have to do with a Family Museum? A great deal. You see, if I did not display the many gifts she has given me over the years in our museum, Barbie may not come to mind as often as she does. And that is why having a Family Museum is important – the precious items displayed there keep memories alive! So here is my tribute to Barbie, telling a little about her through her pictures and some of her gifts of love.


Vintage 1970s Goebel frosted glass donkey. Made a nice paperweight. 

Vintage 1970s hand-blown lavender perfume bottle. Tiny and fragile, its beauty is everlasting, like Barbie's. 



Kokopelli, a traveling flute-playing Casanova sacred to southwestern Native Americans. I often wondered why she gave me this. So I researched this Hopi and found out that he is a symbol of fertility, replenishment, music, dance & mischief. The only relation I can see is the mischief part, because we did get into a lot of mischief.  And this Wooden 4” Pinocchio statue amuses me. Barbie was an avid Walt Disney Fan. With her family, they went there every year!

 

One on of her many visits, Barbie brought me this stunning vintage Red Viking Epic Glass Crimped Bowl. She knew I loved red bowls, so she gave me this one. No matter where I place it, the sun lights its ruby-red beauty, just like the beauty that was always in Barbie's heart.

The last Christmas my family and I spent with her, we went to Busch Gardens where in December the park is turned into a magical Christmas Town. The park has many forms of entertainment, and one that Barbie adored; the horse stables. Barbie loved horses and rode as often as she could. She also dearly loved the many pets she had, especially her dog, Benji. Here are a few more pictures of my family wither that Christmas.

 

 Tiffeni, me & Barbie at Busch Gardens. On the red bench is my hubby Keith with Barbie. These two would talk about sports, science & business.

Keith loved Barbie very much.

Once a tiny bush, Barbie gave it to us and we planted it while our house was under construction in 1996. By 2011, the bush outgrew her.
 

Barbie tried her hand at many forms of art: she play the guitar, learned how to play the harp, and took painting lessons. This is the only copy of a watercolor she did. Barbie loved the sea shore. She went dolphin-watching, saved turtles and volunteered at the Atlanta Aquarium. What a gal! 

Though I will always cherish these gifts and proudly display them in our Family Museum, I’d much rather have her by my side. I miss her terribly, but at least I have her gifts of love.

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

 

 

  

Another Birthday . . .

This past 14^th of July was my birthday. As for my age, I agree with Mark Twain: “Age is a matter of mind; if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” With that said, I would like to share my birthday with you.

The three of us; Charlie, Tiffeni and me, took a ride to Irvington, a tidewater town in Virginia. It took us a little over an hour to get there, driving on many country roads and crossing three rivers: The York, The Piankatank and The Rappahannock, as we navigated the way to our destination: lunch at the Tides Inn.

Last time we were there was in 2007 when Charlie was 7 years old. He actually recalled the place and had a great time visiting. What he remembered most was the 127 foot yacht that was built in 1926, The Miss Ann. When we were there, we went on the Miss Ann and Charlie was able to steer the ship’s wheel, with help from Capt’n Ken, of course. In the early days, the guests at the Inn registered to take a three hour luncheon or dinner cruise. On Saturdays they might sign up for a “whiskey run” to another town called Urbana. Tide’s Inn was in a dry county, Urbana was not. Which leads me to what I remembered most of our first visit; the unique wall of little wood doors with keyholes and plaques with numbers.   

In the early days, due to local liquor laws the restaurant and hotel were not able to sell alcohol to guests. However, because private clubs were not bound by the same constraints, the Chesapeake Club was formed, a name still used by the hotel. Yachtsmen and local patrons were invited to join and paid a nominal yearly due. Transient guests could join during their stay for $1 extra per day. Inside these tiny liquor lockers was enough room for a couple bottles of booze. Today, most of the doors don’t open. The one I was able to open had a box of straws in it. FUN! After a lovely lunch we walked around the property. The day was hot, so we left and continued on our journey, stopping at the Steamboat Museum. Again, Charlie couldn’t resist turning the ships’ wheel.

Then we went to the Kilmarnock Antique Galley. Like most of these emporiums, it was chockfull of objects to peruse. I appreciate the effort taken by those who manage these places and how the vendors who supply the merchandise organize and display their wares. However, I can’t help but feel sad at the memories lost by the family or individual who gave up their heirlooms and the memories therein. Nevertheless, I feel proud of my Family Museum and of having the foresight to hold onto and protect and display my family heritage. Hopefully, others will do the same.

Back on the road and crossing this very long and high Norris bridge; 350 ft. high, then onto home.


We had a quite family dinner and then I was presented with an ice cream cake and presents. Perhaps some of these presents will go into the Family Museum and years later, I can appreciate that day and time again.
Age, it really doesn’t matter!   

Happy 4th of July, 2017!

From our family to yours, we wish you a sparkling 4^th of July and to encourage you to save your family’s history, however it is preserved: in pictures, on film, in writing, in collections of memorabilia, antiques, scrapbooks, trophies, clothing, toys, and everything that is important to your family.  Protect it all so that it may be handed down to the next generation so the present can learn from the past. 

Parents Musuem

Children's Musuem



Maternal Grandparents Museum

Paternal Grandparents Mseum
 

Just like our proud country, The United States of America is a virtual museum of all of its people, places and things that have made this country great, and just like those mammoth museums that preserves and displays our history, so should you and your family by creating your own Family Museum.



So from my family to you and yours, we wish everyone all the best!

 





                         HAPPY 4^TH OF JULY, 2017!!