La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
San Geraldo and I have been going through our “stuff” (not our emotional stuff; that would take too long) and have been doing a great job getting rid of what we don’t need. SG wears US size 15 (UK size 14, Spanish size 50) and he needs a wide toe box because he has neuropathy in his feet that makes most shoes hurt. When he can find his size, he buys the shoes, and although they may be comfortable when he tries them on, they often hurt after one wearing. He took 18 pairs of like-new shoes (and a pair of too-narrow slippers) from his closet and gave them away. Had we not found an apartment in Córdoba, I thought I, at least, could have lived in one of his shoes. There were some really great styles. If only I had feet the size of Sasquatch.
I’m trying to figure out what to do with all the little treasures I found stashed all over my office. I still can’t part with them but I need to decide how to sort them for storage. So many odds and ends. My father’s Boy Scouts scout master pocket knife. A silver spoon from Amsterdam with a windmill handle and spinning windmill blades. A straight razor that belonged to someone in SG’s family in the early 20th century. Two emeralds purchased in 1985 and certified authentic. Now what am I supposed to do with those?
There’s a pocket almanac and daily calendar from 1950 that belonged to my father and contains nuggets of information like public holidays and populations of American cities. Did you know that New York City’s population was 6,930,446 in 1930 and 7,454,995 in 1950? In 2020, it reached 8,740,647 but, according to the World Population Review, is now 7,931,147. My father filled a number of pages with mathematical formulas he used in his studies after being hired by AT&T.
There’s even a section in the little book called “Social Security Record.” My father used one of those pages to list the purchases made for my parents’ first apartment in Brooklyn that year. For a “poor” couple, as my mother always claimed they were, they sure knew how to put on the Ritz. The top photo was taken in 1948, the year after they married.
I have made a decision regarding all the stuff. I have decided not to decide. I put it all into a little square basket and will deal with it in Córdoba.
San Geraldo y yo hemos estado revisando nuestras cosas (no nuestras cosas emocionales; eso llevaría demasiado tiempo) y hemos estado haciendo un gran trabajo deshaciéndonos de lo que no necesitamos. SG usa zapatos talla 15 (50 en España) necesita una puntera ancha porque tiene neuropatía en los pies que hace que la mayoría de los zapatos le duelan. Cuando puede encontrar su talla, compra los zapatos, y aunque pueden ser cómodos cuando se los prueba, a menudo le duelen después de un solo uso. Sacó 18 pares de zapatos como nuevos (y un par de pantuflas demasiado estrechas) de su armario y los regaló. Si no hubiéramos encontrado un apartamento en Córdoba, pensé que, al menos, podría haber vivido en uno de sus zapatos. Había algunos zapatos realmente hermosos. Ojalá tuviera pies del tamaño de Sasquatch.
Estoy tratando de averiguar qué hacer con todos los pequeños tesoros que encontré escondidos por toda mi oficina. Todavía no puedo desprenderme de ellos, pero necesito decidir cómo clasificarlos para guardarlos. Hay tantos trastos. La navaja de bolsillo de los Boy Scouts de mi padre. Una cuchara de plata de Ámsterdam con un mango de molino de viento y aspas giratorias. Una navaja de afeitar que perteneció a alguien de la familia de SG a principios del siglo XX. Dos esmeraldas compradas en 1985 y certificadas como auténticas. ¿Y ahora qué se supone que debo hacer con ellas?
Hay un almanaque de bolsillo y un calendario diario de 1950 que pertenecía a mi padre y que contiene información valiosa, como días festivos y poblaciones de ciudades estadounidenses. ¿Sabías que la población de la ciudad de Nueva York era de 6.930.446 en 1930 y de 7.454.995 en 1950? En 2020, llegó a 8.740.647, pero, según World Population Review, ahora es de 7.931.147. Mi padre llenó varias páginas con fórmulas matemáticas que utilizó en sus estudios después de ser contratado por AT&T.
Incluso hay una sección en el librito llamada “Registro de Seguridad Social”. Mi padre utilizó una de esas páginas para enumerar las compras que hizo para el primer apartamento de mis padres en Brooklyn ese año. Para ser una pareja “pobre”, como siempre decía mi madre que eran, sin duda sabían cómo vestirse a lo grande. La foto superior fue tomada en 1948, el año después de que se casaron.
He tomado una decisión respecto a todo esto. He decidido no decidir. Lo pongo todo en una cestita cuadrada y me ocupo de ello en Córdoba.
• Investigué un poco: —Estas piedras se enviaron como premios en un sorteo por correo dudoso durante la década de 1980. Técnicamente, son esmeraldas, pero están tan mal talladas y llenas de inclusiones que prácticamente no valen nada.
Size 15. And I thought I was a natural swimmer! I’m happy that I don’t carry the gene for sentimental stuff. I’d be an even worse clutter bug. It’s amazing how much stuff one finds they don’t need when they have to move.
Nice video, Scoot, but nobody can beat Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle’s version. Sooper Dooper!
Deedles:
What is even sentimental about some of these things? SG used to water ski. I don’t know why he bothered with skis.
Good plan…..wait for another time to decide what to do with these things. You will know when to let them go.
Size 15! That is a LOT of shoe! Think of the space you have now!!!
Jim:
Yes! Losing the shoes completely emptied the closet.
I don’t remember my aunt and uncle ever looking like extras from White Heat but there’s the photographic evidence.
Erik:
Yeah, that was before your time… and much of mine.
Oh, I love those things you showed! They don’t take up more room than two (or one??) of the 18 pairs of huge SG shoes, so I think you can keep them. You’re welcome. Ha!
Now, who in Spain is going to have size 15 feet, to use those shoes that SG gave away, hmm?
I looooove that photo of your parents (despite the problems they caused you in your life, if I divorce myself from al of that and just look at this fabulous vintage-Brooklyn-couple photo, it’s great).
Judy C:
I could have stored everything in one of SG’s shoes, with room for more. I’m told if someone from Denmark is here, they might be able to use the shoes. I DO have good memories of my parents, as well. Interestingly, my best images in my mind of them are from before they had kids. I enjoy all the before pictures.
I’m a Herb Alpert fan, but never heard his version of that song. Nice!
Kelly:
I just recently came across the dance video. Surprising to me, it was a collaboration done way back in 2013!
Boud here thinking one of those shoes could double as a suitcase. And that the emeralds might be nice earrings for the little girl you posted about a while back. Not too valuable for a youngster. Just a thought. I’m sure you need another project just now.
Boud:
I’ll have to get a good photo of the two emeralds. They’re different cuts, dull, and would be a waste of money and effort as earrings. Besides, Maria has diamonds.
That photo of your parents is an absolute stunner!
Size fifteen! I thought had trouble getting shoes, and I am only size 11…
Where souvenirs are concerned, I am definitely a hoarder – shoe boxes full of ticket stubs from shows we’ve seen, flyers, postcards and other ephemera; plastic under-bed boxes with nick-nacks and things I (and we) collected over the years, scrapbooks, old calendars, magazines and the like – you name it, I’ve found a home for it!
One day, as I have said for many years, I might go through it all and see what’s there. We’ve moved five times so far in London, and I doubt we’ve even opened the lids on most of ’em in decades 🤣. Jx
PS I just got around to watching the video. WOW! That choreography, those dancers – and the multiple appearances of Mr Alpert himself (and his wife Lani, in the last scene) – it’s a tour-de-force! Jx
Jon:
Yes, the video is incredible. And it’s 11 years old. I don’t know how I had never seen it until now.
Jon:
Size 11 would be size 12 in US sizes. (SO SG is ONLY size 14 in the UK.) Yes, that’s problematic. We downsized twice before moving to Spain. This is the crap I just couldn’t part with for some unknown reason.
“Two emeralds purchased in 1985 and certified authentic. Now what am I supposed to do with those?” Earrings for yourself. A fairly simple setting for a jeweler, they likely have stock mounts that will hold them. Green would look great on you.
The little keepsakes tie us to deep memories. Hang onto them, organize them, make art with them.
David:
I’ll try and get good photos of the two differently cut and poor-quality emeralds. It would be a waste to make earrings out of them. We have so many keepsakes. Some are not worth keeping.
So who was running that emerald scam in 1985 New York — Donald Trump? Hahahahaha
Love that video and its choreography! Even more impressive is the one long tracking shot!
Debra:
The only reason I know Trump wasn’t involved: They would have been called Trump Emeralds! Yes, amazing they were able to do that video in one long shot. Also surprising was that it was done in 2103 and I only just came across it now.
Seems were both sharing family treasures!!! Do yoi have to downsize a lot? I sat take it all. I recommended to a friend of mine once to find a glass box of sorts. It has a wood base…but the sides and top are glass.the back opens and the wood piece slides out to place items on. It generally then just sits on a desk or end table….and it showcases all your mementos under glass. And it looks handsome.
Mistress Borghese:
We did a tremendous downsize before coming to Spain. We’ve upsized over the past 13 years. The new apartment is more spacious. So all we had to downsize were the terrace plants. I love the idea of the glass box!
I am very good about getting rid of stuff, but when it comes to old stuff, old family stuff, I want to keep it all.
That said, I am still laughing about living in one of SG’s shoes!
Bob:
He had boots that could have been converted into a duplex. I used to keep every little thing. I’ve gotten much better over the years (the move to Spain forced me to adapt). Still, there are things I drag with me from place to place.
I maybe haven’t commented before, but I am really enjoying your posts. But I had to comment to thank you for the Herb Alpert video! I loved him, and they did a really great job with the dance, including some nice nods to Bob Fosse’s choreography.
Nina
Nina:
Thanks so much for commenting now! Isn’t that video a wonder? The collaboration was done back in 2013. I had never seen it until two days ago.
Mr. Moon wears size 16 shoes and also has neuropathy. My protection strategy for when he’s gone is that I put a pair of his shoes on the kitchen stoop where people come in, right next to my shoes. Easier than keeping a bulldog.
I never saw that video nor heard that version of the song but I like it. That Irving Berlin sure could write a song.
Good decision on your items. Deciding not to decide is definitely a decision.
And by the way- your parents were a fine looking couple.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moonsigh:
Size 16?!? SG will be happy to hear that. Sorry he has neuropathy, too. Puttin’ on the Ritz is a classic. That video was done in 2013. New to me! My parents WERE a fine-looking couple. My friends thought they looked like “movie stars.” My friends also wished they had parents like them. It’s all about appearances. But not all the memories are bad.
So often what is seen from the outside has no real relationship to what is going on inside. I know.
Blasts from the past. I’d hang onto all of it.
Kirk:
For whatever reason, these things have survived the cut every time we’ve moved. Well the emeralds only came to us in 2106 after my mother died. I should probably take those worthless little bits to the charity shop. SOMEONE will enjoy them.
I applaud your decision not to decide. Some things are too precious to part with. Beautiful couple your parents, love your mom’s fur coat accessorized with those cute little boots.
Shirley:
Mouton was the rage in the ’40s. Sheepskin processed to resemble beaver or seal. I gave away that coat in 2016. The boots were nowhere to be found.
If you run out of moving boxes, you can always use SG’s shoes! 🙂 I can’t imagine trying to find shoes in his size.
I wouldn’t worry about trying to sort through keepsakes right now. You have enough to do with the moving process. When will the move be complete? I know you’ll be happy to be done!
Jennifer:
Packing and loading will be next week Wednesday and Thursday, 23rd and 24th. Arrival in Córdoba Friday the 25th. I just rolled 5 rolling plastic bins from under the bed. Four are now empty! We’re already in great shape for the move.
Your parents typified young, post-war newly weds, and very fashionably dressed for 1948! You have your Dad’s facial shape and your Mom’s eyes and brow bones, IMHO…. It’s hard to give away sentimental objects. Some people take photos and turn those into keepsake items. Others keep a select few for pride of place in their homes. Years ago, IKEA had a white square glass-topped coffee table with a dark fabric lined drawer for display of just such objects — and I kick myself regularly for not buying one at the time, LOL!
Tundra Bunny:
You pegged some of the similarities. No wonder people tell me I look “exactly” like them both. What fascinates me is how I have a hard time parting with objects that have absolutely no sentimental value. They’re just old (and of no monetary value) and I don’t seem to want to be responsible for their loss. That type of table is a great solution (when the things are worth seeing all the time). Mistress Maddie had a great suggestion, too, of a tabletop glass display case. We’ll see what happens with this stuff when we get to Córdoba.
Holding on to the past just saddens me most times. When one is inundated with sad facts and pictures it really doesn’t help with your overall positivity about daily life. However, finding a sweet tidbit of love and kindness really is the best cure for ourlives.
ron troke:
I agree with you about those sad connections. The happy tidbits are important.