Kind of reminds me of an old Saturday Night Live skit with Steve Martin and Bill Murray - which is an entirely other kind of vintage thingie, but that's not why we're here today. But ----
Just what the heck is that thing?
Well, I'll tell you what I know.
It belonged to my grandparents and they always had it on a bookcase they had in their living room. All the grandkids always wanted to play with it, but it was fragile and Grandma wouldn't let us look at it without her supervision.
I loved to imagine it was a crystal ball telling me all sorts of secrets. I was also a rock collector when I was in elementary school so this was doubly fascinating.
I wish I knew where they picked it up. I wish I knew when they got it, but they always had it for as long as I could remember.
When my grandparents passed away - within a month of each other - all the grandkids got to pick out something especially meaningful to each one of us. My one cousin took this giant jack (like the game jacks) that was a bookend. Another cousin took a book of fairytales. I can't remember what everybody else took, but I took this. (Don't worry, I picked up a few other treasures too.)
What it is is a little wooden coaster like thing filled with lovely rocks. Each rock has a number on it that corresponded with a paper on the bottom of it that told you the name of each rock. The paper is long gone as you can see. The top is a magnifying glass to show each rock in detail.
Why did I pick this? I wish I knew exactly what triggered that connection to my grandparents. Maybe I knew how much it meant to Grandma and Grandpa. Maybe I just liked the color. Maybe it reminded me of my rock collection from my childhood. Whatever the reason, it now lives at Sweet Bee Cottage where I treasure it, but I've never talked to Baby Bee about why it's in our library. I think I have a story to tell her tonight.
Thanks for stopping in and visiting my little Vintage Thingie. I hope you have a chance to go by Suzanne's Vintage Thingie Thursday little party at her blog, Colorado Lady, to see the other vintage treasures.
I hope to hear some of your stories too.
This reminds me of the rocks that sometimes could be found in souvenir shops back in the late 60's. I say this because I remember somewhere, who knows where, I saw something very similar in a shop while on vacation...I did not get to have it, but I too collected rocks, and this reminds me of that.....maybe it was from a special trip or honeymoon your grandparents took and it was a souvenir. I love it...especially the story. Have a great VTT!
ReplyDeleteLoved your story. I understand, when my parents, grandmother and recently brother passed away - it wasn't the most valuable, seemingly, thing that my heart wanted - it was what reminded my heart of them. I am checking on the flatware. I need to get my magnifying glass. One of the things that I have to deal with - eyesight!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Kathy
very cool post I am not for sure what it is but I know that many individuals in the past would be crystals and rocks were treasured but for sure a fun mystery is on your hands
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to give it a new home, and I know your little one will grow up to treasure it.
I love this post! The most important thing about your treasure is the memories attached to it. Nothing can ever replace treasured memories of loved ones!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Don't know what it is but it is very cool and has lots of memories so that makes it very special.
ReplyDeleteHow nice that you inherited a treasure that your grandparents had. Sometimes things hold great memories for us, and even though they might not have a monetary value, they are priceless to us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your treasure.
Debbie
What a great story and a wonderful memory that you will always have. I enjoyed reading your post.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend.
Fondly,
Ann
@
The Tattered Tassel
What a great little thingie! I wonder if it was a souvenir from some place they visited. Aah, sweet mystery.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of my great grandmother's husband who polished rocks as a hobby. He had so many beautiful rocks and she'd let me sit and look at them when I was little if I was very careful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Sarah
I love the story..and the rock holder is so interesting. I took a rock class one summer in Dallas. I loved it! I still have my collection.And I am always picking up rocks on my trips.lol
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham
Hello it's me again! You're probably still sweetly dreaming and I'm checking out that flatware pattern! I was thrilled to find out, you were correct! It is Spring Garden! Yeah! How appropriate!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Kathy
My father majored in geology so he was interested in rocks. I had a box with different rock samples glued to it that was a souvenir from a museum.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post and such a wonderful keepsake!
ReplyDeleteThe memory and love of your grands comes through on your post. I don't think it matters what it is. I love this VTT get to see so many interesting things. Blessings to you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteQMM
I love that you chose this as a treasure from your grandparents! The best things are those that trigger those wonderful memories...what a beautiful story you will have to share tonight...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this today!
I love your blog and what you featured today. I have seen those a long time ago. I was never sure about it except to collect pretty rocks. The important thing with yours is it holds a special memory for you. I am going to become another of your followers.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen anything like that, but totally understand the fascination with a rock collection as a child, and the memories that linger ... a cool thing for you to have from your grandparents!
ReplyDeleteI think she will truly enjoy this story. You know how much I love rocks. I totally understand!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
love it!! My 10 year old collects rocks too. I'd have picked it too. It is easy to tuck into your library area and now you are passing on the history to lil bee.
ReplyDelete