My Noisy Clock
Guest post by Joy Wooderson
I believe one of the first sounds I heard upon arrival into the world was the chiming of “the clock.” It had become a part of my family six years previously, a wedding gift to my parents from the leadership of the church where my father served as assistant minister.
I’ve often wished the purchaser had selected something with soft, melodious tones, or a clock that chimed only on the hour. Alas, this one bongs three times on the quarter hour, six times on the half-hour, nine times on the three-quarter mark, and then once per hour. It gets very noisy toward noon or midnight.
For twenty-one years it hung on the wall in our dining room in Durban, South Africa. I can still hear my mother’s instructions, “Put the key in each hole and wind the clock and the chimes seven times—don’t over wind it.” And so it kept going.
When we decided to emigrate to the U.S.A., there was no hesitation about carefully packing the clock and shipping it along with a few other treasured possessions. It belonged in our family as much as my sister or I.
I inherited the clock some years later. There is no manufacturer’s name written with a flourish across its face. A small eagle design and some obscure code signify that it originated in Germany. The well-intentioned efforts of various cleaners resulted in a worn-looking pendulum, and its eight-inch diameter face and bronze rim reflect its age. However, for over seventy years it has done its job on whichever wall it was placed—kept time and bonged loudly through the day and night.
To my surprise, I found it resonated with something deep inside me. Each bong, every glance at the time, connected me to my roots, evoking a sense of familiarity that brought comfort and a feeling of belonging. With each move to a new home or a different city, I lovingly unhooked the pendulum, fastened the key to the inside, and stuffed the casing with soft packaging. Furniture and boxes could be scattered untidily all over the room, but as soon as the clock was hung, I was at home. I felt safe.
Unfortunately, this wonderful clock has a major downside—it keeps my guests awake. I have become so used to its chiming that its sound rarely penetrates my consciousness, and never at night. So I formed the habit of stopping the clock whenever I have overnight company. I try to do this at a convenient hour, because to not do so means standing in front of the clock and moving the hands through each quarter hour while patiently, or impatiently, waiting for it to go through its succession of chimes. Much better to stop it at 8 p.m. and restart it at 8 a.m. This disruption never really bothered me, as each visit was short term.
Then I had a guest stay for three months. I stopped the clock at 7:05 and there the hands remained, the pendulum stilled, the chimes silent. Every time I entered my house, I glanced up out of habit and saw—7:05. The strange quiet began to bother me. Something significant was missing in my life. I longed for its comforting, steady tick-tock and those booming chimes.
When I returned from the airport after my friend left, I flung my purse on the table and headed straight for the clock. Within minutes I heard the familiar sounds—many times—as I reset the chimes and the time. It really is quite noisy. But in a day or so I again became so accustomed to the sound I hardly noticed it. In fact, the only time it bothers me now is during a two-hour television mystery when it bongs nine times in the middle of crucial dialogue.
This morning I sat on my screened porch and sipped coffee. The sun’s rays warmed my feet while a gentle, early-fall breeze stirred the leaves. My plants that had thrived through the summer surrounded me. A feeling of peace and tranquility came over my soul. Then through the open door into the house I heard eight loud bongs. I sighed contentedly.
All was well in my world.
Born in Durban, South Africa, Joy Wooderson emigrated to the US in 1971. She writes creative nonfiction and is the author of Finding Joy: One Woman’s Journey Back to Faith and Like a Hermit Crab in Search of a Home. Both are ebooks available from Amazon Kindle. Her essays have appeared in journals and anthologies.
Related posts: Reluctant Gardener
Mum’s the Word, Hundred-mile Man, and Other News Fresh From the Farm
Inside: Cheery mums, a man and his bike, and why do we go so pumpkin crazy?
Cheery Mums
I bought these mums the other day. Mom and I were entering Walmart when I saw these lovelies and couldn’t resist.
There was a time in my life when I wouldn’t have spent the money on flowers. My life was all about making frugal decisions, pinching every penny. Buying mums that start dying a little after a week was not a good investment.
But with age has come wisdom. I’m reminded of something Mom had said in her interview a couple of months ago–“concentrate on small areas where you want beauty.” It was in reference to a question I’d asked regarding tips for gardeners on a budget, but I think the meaning can extend beyond gardening to the little things in life that bring us joy. These mums brought a little beauty to my world. Happiness for a few greenbacks.
I guess my idea of a good investment has changed.
A Man and His Bike
Take a fifty-something guy, mile upon mile through small towns and the city along three mighty rivers and add in a stubborn desire to conquer the trail. This past Saturday Mike did the Ride the Rivers Century–a 100-mile bike ride that showcases some of the best sights and scenery the St. Louis area has to offer. He did the century ride (meaning 100-mile ride) last year as well, but this year he ended up shaving two hours off of his time–and getting up the following day to work at church!
Needless to say, I’m very proud of him. A little over four years ago, he decided to lose some weight before our daughter’s wedding and in the process took off 70 pounds and discovered a love of cycling. Since then he has consistently made yearly goals of miles and speed, reaching nearly all of them. Two years ago he did the Katy Trail in three days. Of course, he tends to measure his accomplishments by those achieving more miles and faster times, but considering he balances his training with a 55-hour work week, I think he does an amazing job!
The other day I asked him how many miles he’d ridden this year. “Twelve hundred,” he said, “but I wanted to do 1,500.” Weather and schedule permitting, he just might do it!
Why Do We Go So Pumpkin Crazy?
I admit it. Not only am I a fall enthusiast, but I love pumpkins! Pumpkin lattes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkins for decorating, pumpkin pie, carved pumpkins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pie spice candles. . . If the word pumpkin is in the title, I’m there.
A few years ago, I belonged to a low carb forum which had an Australian and a New Zealander on the same thread. Fall was in full force, and low carb pumpkin recipes abounded. I remember the New Zealander lady saying to the Aussie woman something to the effect of “What’s with these Americans and their obsession with pumpkins?” I’m not sure we were able to properly convey our enthusiasm to them–or convert them.
My friend Joy, a transplant from South Africa, mentioned in an essay that before she arrived in this country, she’d thought a pumpkin was just a vegetable. But one Halloween her dad hid behind a building and held out a lighted jack-o’-lantern to surprise his daughters. Not a pleasant experience for Joy. But she’s made her peace with pumpkins and told me today that if she had a choice of pumpkin on the menu she’d choose it–and put lots of butter on it and no cinnamon!
So when did pumpkin mania begin? For the longest time people carved or decorated with pumpkins and bought canned pumpkin for bread or pie, but that was basically it. Then at some point pumpkins invaded the autumn scene in the most unusual places from pumpkin yogurt and pumpkin beer to pumpkin sporting events like pumpkin chucking. I wonder if some association of pumpkin growers got together and came up with this plan to infiltrate American society with this ubiquitous cucurbit (gourd-shaped fruit existing everywhere).
I don’t know, but I’m happily sucked in. Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for my coffee break–pumpkin spice coffee, of course!
What’s happening in your neck of the woods? Tell me about it in the comments.
Coming later this month: It’s all things fall at the blog! We revisit the garden with Mom’s post on how to dry herbs and mine on saving seed, as well as an interview with an essential oil guru. My author friend Joy (from pumpkin fame above) guest posts with a wonderful essay, and I write on the subject of being a peacemaker. Plus we’ll finally get to that coffee love post I promised last month. And, as always, all the news coming to you fresh from the farm.
Related posts: Open Windows, Food Shoot, and Other News Fresh From the Farm
All Winding Roads Lead to Nausea
Starting the Long and Sentimental Project
Finding my Pace: Slowing Down to Enjoy Life
7 Day Decluttering Challenge: Day 7 – Clothes and Shoes
Inside: We’ve reached the final day of our decluttering challenge, and I’ve got this one in the bag–literally! While I’m not a clotheshorse, I think I can easily wrangle 25 items. Let’s see.
We’re at the final day of our decluttering challenge, and might I say a collective, “Whew!” It’s been eye-opening, it’s been enlightening, it’s been fun, but I’m glad it’s done!
But back to the challenge. Today it’s simply a matter of looking through my clothes and the Hubmeister’s things. I already know of quite a few items I’m ready to part with, and, for me, it’s mostly a matter of bad purchases–buying the wrong piece of clothing because I needed to buy something for such and such event and I got it home, and, horror or horrors, it didn’t look right. (Yeah, I know, there is such a thing as a fitting room for trying on said clothes before leaving the store.) So I’ve got some really nice stuff. This is actually the first day of the challenge where most items will not be going into a trash bag! Yay!
That said, what types of items might fit (pun not intended, but, hey, it works here) into this category?
- impulse purchases
- clothes someone else bought you that aren’t “you”
- clothes that no longer fit
- ripped clothing that actually doesn’t look fashionable
- outdated styles (you really don’t have to hold on to that peasant blouse until it comes back in style)
- old “comfort clothes” that are looking threadbare
- an overabundance of certain clothing items that might be useful to someone else
- old unmentionables
- socks without mates (unless you want to start a sock puppet theater)
So you’re probably wondering, how did I do? Did I run out of steam before the finish line?
I hit 25 items today–which included a nice coat, workout pants hardly worn (what does that say?), fleece not worn, Henley top that wasn’t “me,” two pairs of shoes never worn, blazer never worn, several more shirts hardly worn. These clothes will go for resale or charity. Eight items from the unmentionables drawer went into the trash. (I derived great pleasure from throwing away the pantyhose!)
On this our final day, my total for the week is 279 items either thrown away or for resale or charity. Yay! And the crowd goes wild!
So we’ve come to the end of our challenge, a little wiser, a little lighter. The great thing about this challenge is that you can do one again–simply rinse and repeat. I will collect these posts together for another round in the future.
Until then, keep vigilant lest clutter invade your home!
Did you join me for the decluttering challenge or did you lurk? No shame for the lurkers. Tell us about it in the comments.
Related posts: Join Us for the 7 Day Decluttering Challenge
7 Day Decluttering Challenge: Day 1 – Kitchen
7 Day Decluttering Challenge: Day 2 – The Spare Bedroom
7 Day Decluttering Challenge: Day 3 – Junk Drawers
7 Day Decluttering Challenge: Day 4 – Paper
7 Day Decluttering Challenge: Day 5 – The Living Room
7 Day Decluttering Challenge: Day 6 – The Closet
7 Day Decluttering Challenge: Day 6 – The Closet
Inside: Today’s decluttering challenge takes place in the closet. Most homes have one or more of them–scary places, these are. You never know what you might find–or throw away. It’s 25 items–can I do it?
You are about to enter another dimension. A dimension not only of outdated clothing and broken athletic equipment, but of framed family photos from the seventies. A journey into a chaotic land of clutter. Next stop, the closet zone. . .
Okay, we’re at day 6, and I’m a little punchy. We’re almost to the finish line. Just another couple of laps. So today we turn to the closet–or rather we open the door and then quickly shut it again, only to open it and sigh. Big mess. Or maybe I’m thinking of mine. So what kinds of things can you find in a closet?
- clothes and shoes (though we are focusing on this tomorrow)
- old pictures and photo albums
- Christmas décor
- an abundance of wire clothes hangers
- boxes of books
- spare blankets and pillows
- memorabilia
- board games
- used athletic equipment
- miscellaneous (Again with the miscellaneous!)
So 25 items is my goal, and I was able to get rid of 36 things–some old cotton batting, a huge pile of old wire clothes hangers, old receipts, and scraps of wrapping paper. I barely put a dent in it, but at least I’ve started.
Tomorrow it’s on to the last category–clothes and shoes. So you might want to focus on other closet clutter than clothing. Tune in for Day 7 as we wrap up the decluttering challenge.
What’s hiding out in your closet? Tell us about it in the comments.
Related posts: Join Us for the 7 Day Decluttering Challenge
7 Day Decluttering Challenge: Day 1 – Kitchen
7 Day Decluttering Challenge: Day 2 – The Spare Bedroom
7 Day Decluttering Challenge: Day 3 – Junk Drawers
7 Day Decluttering Challenge: Day 4 – Paper
7 Day Decluttering Challenge: Day 5 – The Living Room