For lunch, we visited Elizabeth, Jacqueline. and Frances, at our younger sister’s home in Pilley and naturally continued reminiscing for most of the afternoon.
Later, I scanned or photographed the last of the presents that Mum had labelled for us.
Jackie photographed this Heal’s battery operated carriage clock which I must have bought for our mother more than 40 years ago. My post, “Lymington Quay” details how I managed to persuade Martin Fairhurst of Dials Antique Clocks to repair it 6 years ago.
It was nearer 50 years ago that I gave her these four bird paintings by, as far as I can decipher the signatures, P. Colbert. Each is individually titled in the gallery.
This hollyhock photograph I produced in September 1981.
The cloisonné vase and ceramic basket are from many years ago; the salt and pepper cruets perhaps 20; and the china cup a gift from Jackie more recently.
Destined for Becky are this photograph by Noel Manchee of me running the Windsor Great Park half marathon in 1983;
and this painting she herself made on silk of one of the five stained glass panels from the porch in Lindum House sometime in the 1990s.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy pasta arrabiata with tender green beans, peppers and onions. She drank Hoegaarden and I drank Patrick Chodot Fleurie 2019.
Cheers to the recent tea cup!
important and fun to get new teacups
And derrick – the photo of you running is a great shot! Go number 394!
–
Lastly – the hollyhock photo from 1981 shows you have had these photography skills for many many years
Thank you so much, Yvette
😋
Such lovely souvenirs to bring back those many fond memories.
Hey, you’re looking quite athletic running for the Spastics Club, Derrick!!
🙂 I was pretty fit, GP. Thanks a lot.
Love GP’s sardonic comment. You were buff back in the day.
Thank you so much, Pat
Marvellous share
Thank you very much, Tanvir
I love how your mother had the foresight to label things for you. Many memories in these presents.
Thanks very much, Merril. Of course I had forgotten most of what I gave her.
You have “inherited” a great collection of gifts to/from your mother! I particularly like the 4 birds and the salt/pepper cruiets!
So many memories in those simple objects. A poignant post.
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Thanks for sharing that trip down memory lane. You do have some nice artistic talent. Will look forward to that episode of Knight’s tale.
Thank you so much, Pat.
So wonderful that you could get together with your siblings to share memories 🙂
Thank you so much, Rosaliene
Those were wonderful gifts put aside for you by your mother, Derrick. So many beautiful things to remember her by!
Thank you very much, Lavinia
The circle of life… demonstrated perfectly by the journey of those lovely treasures, which I am sure you, or their new custodian, will now cherish.
Thank you so much, Emma
Martin is still there, Emma. We returned and bought this one in 2016: https://derrickjknight.com/2016/02/05/phases-of-the-moon/
Thank you very much, especially for your circle of life observation.
What a fabulous collection. Love the hollyhock.
Thank you very much, Peggy
Those are beautiful pieces, Derrick! God bless you and your family. 🙏🏻☺️
Thank you very much, John
AW! Such beautiful gifts that your Mom shared back with all of you! Treasures that will bring you, and future generations, joy!
The last one is my fave! How wonderful that your mum painted that beautiful piece!
I wrote a poem eons ago to my Mum…about a mother’s hands. Good mothers hands do so many lovely, loving, amazing things!
((HUGS))) and <3 to all of your family
Thank you very much, Carolyn. Actually the painting was done by Becky – I’m sorry if that is ambiguous. X
Oh! I reread it and saw the error of my ways. 🙂
Becky did a beautiful job! 🙂
Thanks again X
How thoughtful of your mum to label these special items to ensure they were given to the proper loved one. So many lovely gifts. Thanks for sharing with us, Derrick.
And thank you, Jill
It shows ow treasured your gifts were that she remembered where they came from and wanted you to have them. What a lovely thing to do.
Thank you very much, Jodie
xx
Lovely, Derrick. Thank you for sharing. I love the pictures of the birds and the salt and pepper cruets. It is funny, we use salt and pepper every day and ours are always mismatched sets that came from the who knows where. I really should invest in a decent set.
Our children always loved “Grandma pepper”, which was the white variety – now they really will have “Grandma pepper” once more. Thanks very much, AnneMarie
That is cute, Derrick. I am sure you will all be reminded of your Mom often, especially with those salt and peppers on the table.
Thank you very much, AnneMarie
So many treasures and memories. Savour these moments with loved ones 🙏
Thank you very much, Val
Sweetly tender memories and lovely items, all meaningful to you and yours. I enjoyed these–such a variety. You mother was an artist…:) And such a nice photo of you in the race. How time flies for us all, Derrick.
Thank you so much, Cynthia. It does, indeed
Actually the silk painting was done by Becky – I’m sorry if that is ambiguous.
Apologies–but so well done by Becky!
🙂
I really enjoyed this post, {{{Derrick}}} – – – such treasures!! My favorite (you might guess) is your photo in the “Great Park half marathon in 1983” – I love looking at your face in it juxtaposed against your face in the circle over to the left. Yup, same guy!! 1983 doesn’t seem that long ago, but our pictures tell us another story, don’t they? Oh, and I have a small cloisonné vase similar to your mum’s – don’t have a clue where mine came from. I love that you know the history of each of these items your mum has passed on. <3
Thank you so much, Jan X
Beautiful treasures and memories. The hollyhock photograph is exquisite! I hope you get a copy made of the photo of you running.
Thank you very much, JoAnna. I have a few.
Beautiful photos and memories; especially I loved the hollyhock photograph.
Thank you very much, Byung
Treasures, memoribilia, nostalga … all of these items are truly amazingly special pieces, with their lovely little individual stories … Thank you for sharing Derrick ..
And thank you so much, Ivor
Each of those objects have an unmistakable aura , and the stories collected over their journey from the donor to the donee and the way back. As they, say,the clock has come a full circle. You exude energy and purpose in that monochrome shot.
Thanks very much, Uma. More acute observations
Some of the favourite items I use around the home are things I gifted to my mother and which one of my thoughtful brothers kept aside for me after she died. There is truth in the idea that ‘mere objects’ can carry with them associations way beyond their monetary worth. The photograph of you running reminds me how ‘running gear’ has changed over the years too: my ‘running son’ will no longer wear shorts as short as the ones you are wearing – although he happily did at the time!
Thanks very much, Anne. You fully understand the impact of ‘mere objects’; and the shorts observation is amusing.
What a lovely last gesture.
Thank you very much, John
How lovely! Your Mum obviously gave a great deal of thought as to what to give to whom.
Thank you very much, Sheree
Such lovely treasures your mum gave back to you. Each item carries a special meaning through its journey with your mum and back to you. The photo of the hollyhock is stunning.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Interesting presents. Interesting that you ran a marathon.
Thanks very much, Mrs W. Actually I ran 18 full marathons .
Very impressive.
Derrick, that’s impressive! I ran 10Ks in my youth, but never worked up to a marathon. They require discipline and training. Good for you! How nice to have a photograph as well. These cherished items are full of memories. I’m glad you all gathered to reminisce.
Thank you so much, Alys (no, WP, not Lys)
My name throws everyone.
Wonderful memories to be greatly cherished.
Thank you very much, Andrew
Lovely, lovely gifts that have now come back to you. Becky is very, very talented. And, how buff you were. 😉
Thank you so much, Laurie 🙂
Didn’t know you were a runner! Great photos.
Thank very much, Cheryl. !8 full marathons 🙂
Wow! Kudos and bravo to you!
🙂
lovely and wonderful sharing, Derrick. the hollyhock photo is beautiful! 🙂
Thank you very much, Lola. From the days of film 🙂
🙂
More knick nacks, that’s what one needs in the fall of life. (So sorry, but I decided to share what comes to my mind)
🙂 Thanks very much, Bridget
The are very pretty.
Haha! That reminds me. I got a mail from my step mom a couple of years ago (My dad is gone now). They were both around 80. She said, ‘I have this picture your mom made, would you like to have it?’ I said, yes of course, I want anything I can from my mom.
When they visited my dad said, ‘no, you can’t have it yet she’s just trying to downsize me.’
🙂
Priceless
‘Trying to downsize me’ made me laugh out loud. Thanks!
Some lovely memories there, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Helen.
😊
the bird watercolors are charming. Very considerate of Mum to label everything.
Especially as I didn’t remember most objects. Thanks very much, Sherry.
Gentle memories.
x
I was thinking the same thing that Jill and others have said – how thoughtful of your mother to label these items. Very nice to have the memories.
Thank you very much, Barbara
So beautiful presents! The bird paintings are gorgeous! And what a great memory of you from 1983 😉
Thank you so much, Ribana
Some lovely memories there. Including you and the marathon – interesting that you didn’t need all the high tech clothing that participants need today…
Thanks very much, Catherine. 🙂 I don’t think the clothing would have made much difference to me