I’m the antithesis of a hoarder, preferring to keep life clutterless, in case I want to up sticks and move cities. I’ve not done this in a little while, however there is a streak in me that needs to see all available exits, ready to go and see the rest of the world. It’s currently (relatively) dormant, but we shall see.
I love a good competition, but when I saw this one, I had to think on it, for the reasons above. I’m not a collector of stuff, more a keeper or memories, and I had to dig deep to find something I have kept for nostalgia purposes. I’ve never won anything in my life either, but am ever the optimist!
And then it occurred to me. I am in possession of a gorgeous pair of old-fashioned weighing scales, given to me by my late maternal great (in every sense of the word) grandmother. She had no use for them, such was her experience in making cakes that she would just throw a slosh of milk or a sprinkle of sugar into her mixing bowl, and the cakes that would be produced were delicious. She sold them at bake sales for the church and there was always a list of people she had to make a cake for. She died last year at the ripe old age of 100, just a few weeks shy of her 101st birthday, but her memory lives on.
But it isn’t just her that the scales remind me of, it’s also my paternal grandfather. I’ve written about him a few times over the years (namely here and here) but when we lost him ten months ago, suddenly everything reminded me of him. The kitchen, a place we spent the majority of our time together, had memories in every turn – a dash of paprika here called to mind a memory of being taught to make tapas, and a splash of wine there reminded me of the summer he and my grandmother brought home a bounty of lemons from the house in Portugal and sipped on Limoncello till the autumn was done.
A rather grainy photo of my late Grandfather – although a pretty good shot seeing as it was taken over 30 years ago!
So every time I use the scales I remember these two profound influences in my life.
You can enter the competition, powered by British Gas, here.
What stirs up your nostalgia and reminds you of your childhood?
Tinkerbelle 
I have a lot of bad childhood memories, but the good ones revolved around the farm and my paternal grandparents.
The farm was the only place I ever felt safe and happy… 🙂
Love and hugs!
Prenin.
Sponsored by “British Gas”? Too much sauerkraut? Ha! You weren’t exactly clear where the competition originated, so I figured it may have been flatulance that started it all. Farts were always a topic when I was young hence nostalgia=farts. Just sayin’.
Seriously though, it is cool that the scale has remained with you through the years. i have nothing of my grandparents and little of my parents even. My maternal grandmother was the only grandparent that I ever knew. Both my Dad and Mum were the youngest in large families (perhaps that’s why they could relate so well) so my grandparents were old. My maternal grandma, rest her soul, was born in 1900 and lived through multiple wars, depresions and recessions.. She went to the funerals of some of her children – something I am told no parent should have to do. She would not talk about her past or any of the people in her life. When she passed (at 92) her family split all her possessions. No doubt my Mum has some, but I don’t. Perhaps, in time, I will have a memento of my Grandma, or perhaps not.
Still the story of the scale is really cool Tink. It is nice to have memories like that.
I’m the total opposite, unil 1 was 13 I had all grandparents, 2 great grandmas and a great grandfather. I’ve been so lucky to have these influences in my life, as my parents and grandparents were all the oldest.
And British Gas are a utility supplier here 🙂