Readers’ Tips for Keeping the Love Alive, Installment V (originally published in True Romance, August 2006)
Going back a few years, when my husband found excitement in flea markets and garage sales, I remember thinking we could be doing other things together on weekends. He was hooked, so instead of fighting him, I decided to join him on his bargain hunts. It turned out to be great fun, and we really did find some good bargains along the way.
We’ve slowed down in recent years, but with good weather coming up, maybe we’ll give it one last hurrah this year. And what’s next on the agenda?
Perhaps our own garage sale. How else can we get rid of the many things we accumulated on our bargain-hunting trips? This should be a great joint effort, especially in having fun together, and that’s what really counts…being together.
A wedding is a wedding, but they actually really have changed since the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
For example, in the late 1800’s, it was typical and the norm for a bride to wear her wedding gown again (to the opera, a special dinner party) even more than a few times. Also, it didn’t have to be white—the color of the dress bore no indication of the bride’s virginity.
In the 1920’s, because the bob was such a hit with women, a cloche or cap veil was worn to compliment their femininity. They fit over the forehead, and then fell down the back like typical, modern veils do.
During the 1930’s, because of the Great Depression, economy was everything to a bride and her groom. The wedding gowns were of a satin bias cut, closely fitted, hugging a women’s curves. A detachable train was necessary to make sure the bride could wear her gown after the wedding. Just like they did in 1860! As they were not like the ball gown wedding dresses, they could be stitched into an evening dress easily, with just some cutting and a little bit of dye.
The popular wedding destination, Niagara Falls, photographed in 1911.
Just killing some in between class time on Digg and I found your post . Not normally what I like to learn about, but it was absolutely worth my time. Thanks.
My mother-in-law was the most incredible woman I ever met. I was extremely nervous about meeting her because I had such a bad relationship with my own mother, who was very abusive, but this wonderful woman made me feel like I was part of the family from the very first moment. She became my best friend.
This tiny lady was a nurse who’d served in WWII. After she had her son, she stayed home with him and never went back to work. Instead, she took care of her mother until she passed away. Over the years, she cared for her mother-in-law, other friends, and relatives. When her best friend passed away, she took her friend’s teenage daughter under her wing and helped her in any way possible. Later, when her friend’s children were born, my mother-in-law was a substitute grandmother.
When I first met her, she was caring for her husband, who had Alzheimer’s, as well as her older sister. All this while she had a blood disease and needed monthly transfusions. There was never a complaint and she had the most beautiful smile through it all. This wonderful woman passed away at the age of seventy-nine. She had a current nursing license and was active until the day she died.
My husband was puzzled because he would find a single rose on his mother’s headstone when he’d visit the cemetery. At first, we had no idea who was leaving them. We later found out that the “grandson” who joined the military would stop by when he was in his dress uniform. He’d leave a rose on the headstone and salute her because she’d been an officer.
I am so thankful that I had this woman in my life. She touched so many lives with her caring and kindness.
My fifteen-year-old brother-in-law was a cute, vivacious teenager full of charisma and fun. He loved to tweak my nose whenever he was around me, no matter where we were. Of all my brothers-in-law, he was my favorite. He had a lot of friends and was well liked by everyone that came in contact with him.
Buddy is ten years old. He’s been my faithful friend and companion since he was six weeks old. Teddy is his favorite toy. Buddy likes to be next to him all the time.
—Eileen Wood, Pennsylvania
Just killing some in between class time on Digg and I found your post . Not normally what I like to learn about, but it was absolutely worth my time. Thanks.