Ordinary Beauty — pointing out the Oh! in ordinary, since 1956

Better Just Comes Naturally

November 10, 2011

I have a tendency to try and make things better. The impetuses for this are deeply rooted, and of course, contain elements of both normal and unhealthy. I have always loved being helpful. My earliest memories are dominated by the times I worked with my father, helping him with projects. I did a lot of [...]

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Fell Offa My Cloud

November 9, 2011

I have been mulling for a long time. It hasn’t been the kind of thinking that lends to writing or sharing in public. And honestly, I’m getting tired of it. The days and years are passing by, and my life remains a nigh-on Pity Party. This is old. Old hat. Old news. I want something [...]

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Fix it? Or Pitch it?

May 4, 2011

“Don’t throw it away. Mend it with Mendets: a patent patch. Mends all leaks instantly.” Yes, I am a the daughter of people who grew up during the Depression. Perhaps that explains why* I am keen on things such as Mendets, and other evidence of people who respect what they have, and don’t live a [...]

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Conjuring Optimism

April 29, 2011

This afternoon I will pick up the trees and bushes that I ordered through the local Conservation District. (Of course, these plants will be more like sticks and twigs at this point, but I am optimistic for their future.) So, this morning I woke to see wee snow flakes falling outside my window. This follows [...]

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Minnow Update

April 27, 2011

Today was a busy one, with not a lot accomplished. Even though I was up and at ‘em early on, the shop was busy and I also ran afoul of a few things. I managed to bung up the big grinder I’ve been using as a polisher on the inside of my aluminum travel trailer, [...]

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Maybe There is a Good Reason They Died Young

April 27, 2011

I am beginning to wonder if my mother and her mother weren’t spot-on when they died young. Both of them died in their fifties, and I have always thought they died too early. I’ve always thought that living only 50-some years is a short life. But now that I am here myselfâ€”54 years oldâ€”I can [...]

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What is it with 50-year-old travel trailers?

April 25, 2011

So I’ve been asking myself, “What is it about vintage travel trailers that so many people find so compelling?” So often when I talk about my trailer project, people respond as if I am writing a novel or somethingâ€”like there is all this romance and adventure infused in old aluminum trailers. Now, I’m not complaining [...]

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Polishing the Minnow

April 23, 2011

Just a little update on my Streamline Trailer project. First, I’ve been away for about three weeks, and didn’t make much progress in that time except to find two little “spice racks” at ReStore in Seattle and do lots of research. The polish that I had ordered from Nuvite arrived while I was away, so [...]

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Beth suggests I stop thinking. I think that might be a good idea.

April 22, 2011

Lately I’ve stumbled on some images that disturb me. First, there were the chocolate crucifixes in the Easter candy aisle at Walmart. Then last night I came upon the collection above. I was a little bored, and honestly, since that amazing dream I had the other night, I have been a little lonely. So, I [...]

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