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"Where did that colander come from?" Larkin asked as I drained the pasta. "And what are the designs in it? I love them!"
I transferred the pasta, and the two of us studied the pattern of holes. Stars, we agreed. I love Larkin's appreciation for both current, trending items and also old classics. She embraces eclecticism!
"They were my grandmother's," I said, pulling out the matching colander and holding them up for Larkin to appreciate.
Larkin is home for a couple of weeks, and it's a new home. She hasn't been here since we moved in March, and before then, many of our belongings, colander included, had been in boxes for several years. That's another story and slice, but I do remember unpacking the colander and being happy to see it. Not everything has to be new. Not everything is better new.
And the truth was, I had never really studied and appreciated the colanders until Larkin's noticing. Leave it to her to notice as an artist and appreciator of patterns and design. That being said, I always reach for my old colanders as opposed to the new and shiny one from Bed Bath and Beyond. Thinking about it, there's something about the weight, the smoothness, and the shape that works better than the newer ones. And there's also something about having Tippie's colander in my kitchen.
A few nights later, the girls were making pizza, and a friend with four much younger kids wanted to see what her future might hold, so I snapped a shot of the girls stretching the dough and chopping up toppings.
"That colander!" was her response. Her grandmother had that colander as well.
I love that a colander-- a tool that is for straining and cleansing-- has inspired memories, appreciation, and connections.
I am struck that you have three (or more) colanders! Yes, the memories from handed down tools makes them more special and in this case also more sturdy. It is great that you were able to see the colander through Larkin's new eyes.
ReplyDeleteThe word "colander" in your description hooked me - and what a delight awaited. From your daughter seeing with artist's eyes, to "embracing eclecticism," to "not everything is better new," your slice is a true object lesson on the power of an object to connect people. So many great metaphors in that image.
ReplyDeleteThe word "colander" in your description hooked me - and what a delight awaited. From your daughter seeing with artist's eyes, to "embracing eclecticism," to "not everything is better new," your slice is a true object lesson on the power of an object to connect people. So many great metaphors in that image.
ReplyDeleteThe word "colander" in your description hooked me - and what a delight awaited. From your daughter seeing with artist's eyes, to "embracing eclecticism," to "not everything is better new," your slice is a true object lesson on the power of an object to connect people. So many great metaphors in that image.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post to remind me of the ways in which objects can tie us together, especially when viewed through new/appreciative eyes. It's left me thinking about which objects I have that link me to family (the cast iron skillet, the pyrex) and what it might mean for future generations that so much of what we have today is not meant to last. Also, that picture - the laughter - what love!
ReplyDeleteI love the writing that came from the colander! Also, I don't think I've ever read a slice about a colander before --- and now I wonder what other tools might inspire writing ...
ReplyDelete