Monday, May 03, 2010

Cottage vignettes

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It’s not all sinking pedal boats and killing rodents.

I’m back in bed on Saturday afternnon, reading a hopelessly outdated (and hysterically funny) issue of Women’s Day from July 1955, learning how to "cook" it in the refrigerator or freezer (jellied tomato-cucumber mold anyone?) and - this was the Woman's Day Workshop - how to cast a fish in plaster of Paris (I shit you not, page 66! - "Once the negative mold has been made, it can be used many times to make duplicates of the fish - fine gifts for sporting friends" 'cause everyone needs a fish cast in plaster of Paris!). I can't help but wonder if anyone actually ever did this, and more to the point, why?



Mr. Jazz is in the living room, watching the hockey game and transferring Gotan Project and the latest Porcupine Tree onto my computer so I can sync my iPod.  Yay, I won’t have to do it for myself. Happy Day.

I push aside the magazine and snuggle down into bed with a sigh, finding that perfect position for a snooze. Mr. Jazz comes in, closes the curtains, kisses me and leaves, closing the door behind him.

I listen to the chipmunks rooting around in the old leaves under the feeders, and to the rain as it starts falling softly - then less so. My thoughts drift to the new hostas and ferns pushing their way out of the earth. This will be good for them.



My body grows heavy as I write this blog post in my head and sink into slumber, to the sound of the hockey game and falling rain.

Life is good.
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14 comments:

Warty Mammal said...

Well, dang. You've inspired me to go make a plaster-of-paris cast of a pot roast. I'm pretty sure I have meat eating friends who could use one of those.

VioletSky said...

It is good to know what you narrowly missed out on by being just a few years too late!
Your dreams, though, could have gone so horribly wrong.

(Go Habs, Go)

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

I love moments like those - even the drone of the hockey game in the background - so nostalgic - I recall going to sleep as a child with a hockey game as the sound track for my dreams.

Beautiful pics Jazz. That green is one of my favourite colours!

furiousBall said...

Porcupine Tree! Love them!

geewits said...

Ahhhh, a lovely day at the cottage. No wonder you love it so.

lime said...

i imagine the recipient of a plaster fish opening the gift and saying, "oh! you shouldn't have! REALLY!"

Suldog said...

Nothing quite so satisfying as a good nap with comforting sounds in the background. As for the plaster of paris fish, I can't imagine a single person who would want one.

(I guess I'd like to SEE one, but certainly not have it hanging on my wall or whatever.)

alison said...

I think the only person I could accept a plaster of paris fish from happily would be one of my daughters, if they made it at school.

I love napping. That sounds like it was a wonderful nap. And I'm with Sanna, Go Habs, Go!

Jazz said...

Warty - Yeah, everyone needs a plaster cast of some sort of food.

Violet - Yeah, there I could've been, casting plaster fishies my husband had fished. And chomping on Valium like it was candy.

Bonnie - nothing like a Saturday afternoon nap

Furball - Well YA!

Geewits - One day you'll come meet the cottage.

Lime - LOL

Sully - Yes, WHAT do you do with it once you've received it? Where can you discretely hide the damn thing. Tho, according to the article with a careful paint job it can look like the real thing (!!) A plaster fish that looks like a mounted stuffed fish. The mind boggles.

Alison - Well, I guess if it comes from a kid... And yep, Go Habs!

Anonymous said...

Marine-themed chalkware wall plaques were very popular in the 1950s -- especially mermaids and fish. I suppose the crafty housewife could make her own out of plaster of paris and amaze all her friends???

Jazz said...

XUP - You knew this? How did you know this? Is there anything you don't know? You are, without a doubt the queen, nay, the empress of trivia! I can't wait to meet you.

geewits said...

Jazz, only if you come to the beach cottage first.

secret agent woman said...

That fern is gorgeous.

I adore '50's era magazines and books of advice for the housewife. Always good for a laugh.

Jocelyn said...

Look at you, being all poetic! Any day with snuggles and hosta is my kind of day.