THE OLD ONE

I received this today in an email and thought I would share it with you. It is so uplifting and encouraging. Enjoy!

THE OLD ONE

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-

Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly

Parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they

Had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge

Pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the

Tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a

Landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories

Of their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more

Excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.

The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had

Taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty

Mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in

The mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each

Year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and

Contentment at day's end.

Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the

Old folks "Why do you not at least dispose of The Old One." She

Is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals

From her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for

Yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but

Expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"

The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes,

Scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair of

New boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he

Drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her

Ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing

Else, just love."

Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his

Wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness

Stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in

Sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their

Cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the

Peace of the love that filled their hearts?

So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed

The insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn.

None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".

In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry

Flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror

And despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he

Raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were

Roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing

To the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from

Calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other,

They wept at their loss.

By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing

Ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their

Grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as

They rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to

The firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man

Turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as

His shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red

Bandana.. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has

Spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength

And climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in

Times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks

To God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most

Precious gifts that have been taken from us.

And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy

Hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and

Withered hand.

The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep

Snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the

Hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the

Old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the

Incredible beauty before them.

Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught

Up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine,

And it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most

Bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had

a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were

breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy.

Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her

forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist

hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas

gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.

Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was

the entire herd, safe.

At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her

muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great

dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping

cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed

about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry

flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips

and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new

years crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now,

she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his

wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was

brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were

filled with devotion as she offered her gift---

Because of love. Only Because of love.

Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And

again the peace of love filled their hearts.

This is a true story.

Willy Eagle

This is an Inspirational message sent to a small group of people.

My hope is that it will make your day just a little bit better.

The History Of Aprons

The History of ‘Aprons’

This was sent to me in an email and the author’s name wasn’t included, but I just had to share this with you all.

I don’t think our children

Know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few. It was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears...

From the chicken coop,

The apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
And when the weather
Was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.


Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove...
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In autumn, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.


When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the paddocks to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.
Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.
I never caught anything from an apron
But love!

Sewing Patterns

So you like to sew? Well here at http://outoftheattic2u.ecrater.com we have just the right vintage patterns for your sewing needs. Do you like vintage, retro, Hippie, bohemian, disco, mini skirt, empire waist, hip huggers, floppy hats, maxi skirts, platform shoes, pointy collars, and shiny boots? Well I have the patterns that fit these descriptions. Every pattern I sell is uncut and factory folded. The envelopes on some have creases, tears, stains or possibly writings on them, the patterns don’t.

I cannot say I specialize in any one type as I have a variety of sizes and styles which are mostly woman and children with some men styles and craft items. Sizes range from small to x-tra large, children’s sizes also from small to x-tra large. Come and see at what I have just for you, it’s fun, it’s funky and it keeps you in stylish fashion just for you.

I remember the 60’s as well as I was a part of that era (dating myself) but it was fun as a young girl seeing the fashions change so quickly, granted I didn’t care for some of the styles, a little to risqué for me but I was in love with the hippie generation. Today though I am a little older I look back and see the difference in our kids today from then. I will end on that note as I am saddened a little by today’s standard of living, but I believe we all go through a generation and realize when you get past that age “If Only”
Remember to visit me at out-of-the-attic-2u

Before The Summer Starts!

It Started Here!


I need to tell this exciting thriller that happened to me last summer as it needs to be said before the new summer starts. Yes it’s a thriller all right depending on you the reader. Let me begin by starting here! I have this thing with bees; don't know why they like me, most likely I have good blood or something like that. Well I was looking outside thru the screen door and watching the birds, they are a funny bunch and I like to see what they are going to do next. All of a sudden right in my face there it was, big, black and ugly, now it wasn't all black it had brown on its body also. The only thing that separated us was the blessed screen. I moved he moved, didn't matter if I moved sideways, forwards or backwards he was there. So I shut the door and walked over to the window, yes folks the stinger face was there looking me straight in the eyes. I just couldn't believe this, what in tar-nation did I did to this big guy, yes he was big, they call them hornets and they come in all sizes. So I shut the window just in case his stinger had a saw on it and he decides he wanted in. Yes I do think on those lines, can't help it I have a large imagination.

Well I decide to go to the store and had forgotten all about my new friend (or my new foe) and was walking out the door, and then at the corner of my eye there he was all throttles go and almost in my face. I screamed and if he had a voice I am sure he screamed also, because he backed off a second enough for me to run into my car and have palpitations, yes the heart beat so darn fast it almost started the car. Folks I am not making this up, it has happened, well on with the show!
Now I did have to come back into the house after the store, so my eyes were all over and my antennas were up. I looked this way that way, up and down as fast as my eyes could move. Yes the coast was clear, I opened the car door stepped out and on my way to the door and thanked the Lord he was not blocking the entrance, yes I left my door unlocked for times such as this!. I got in safely as I also armed myself with a can spray as I walked out of the car.
Now let me tell you this went on for days, I go to the screen, he is there, I go to the window he is there, I go to my office window in the back and he is there. So either this sucker was a set of triplets or he was a magician, how in the world did he know I would be there?? Still baffles me. Well my hubby was starting to get upset with me cause he didn't believe me, I explained what the big bug was doing and he was looking at me like I needed to be put away. Now hubby re-acted that way cause this was a smart bee, yep he had brains. He didn't show up when the old man got home no he was playing hide and seek.
Well I can go on and on cause this was for almost three weeks of my being tormented by this bee. One day I was talking on the phone and looking out the screen, yes two can play the same game, I bugged him and he bugged me. He was always there right in my face with the screen between us, and no, I didn't go out for three weeks I couldn't take the rush I was getting from him. Well while I was yapping away I saw it, I saw a beehive right on my porch's lamp on the wall and a whole stinking family was moving in without even paying the rent.
When hubby came home, oh yes he did start to see him and the others but they never bothered him, I told him the good news and showed him the nest. Now the dear heart says let me fix this and you don't know my man, he has a hard time fixing things so I cried out no wait let’s make a plan first, you gotta be ready for the game. Now this is what he wanted to do, get a jar and when it was nighttime he would put the jar over the beehive, yep folks that’s what he wanted to do. I cried, I screamed, I pleaded no, no please not that! You see he is not gentle, he is clumsy and well gaudy and I knew there would be a fiasco, yep I did.

We had to go out that night and he said when we came home he would do it. We were with friends and of course I told them the plan and they looked at me and shook their heads, they know the hubby too! So they gave us a bigger jar, yes he was going to use a small jar and we went home, I didn't want to go home cause I knew what would happen. So I ran into the house and felt like locking the door on dear heart outside with the jar and getting ready to place it over the hive, yeah right! Yep he missed and the army was angry and the ole man had such strength in him as I never saw him move so fast into the house. We sprayed through the screen and hit that sucker-face bee with all this foam all over his body and he was right there attacking with the family. The saga goes on, he did not die nope he was still there waiting to get me and now my hubby.
Well yes I looked out again from my window and looked up and I saw under the eaves another hive and screamed there’s another hive. Well we have now all kinds of bug spray and it shoots 25 feet and honey-do aimed high, the hive was fully loaded and it was raining bees. But the smaller ones were dying, not king Kong, no he was still going strong until he could go no more. We had the funeral that night with both hives that were now wet and soggy stuffed into the jars and all the bees dead in the jar also. King Kong flew into where who knows, I didn't see him anymore since then. This year I am praying for no bees, and with God you generally get what you ask for, most of the time that is!

Spring Has Sprung!

Well it finally hit home that it is spring. I saw my first wasp yesterday and know the battle is yet to begun! Yep those pesky buggers are all around, like where in the world do they go to keep warm in the freezing winter and then to show their lovely stingers bright and early in the morning?
So I got my cans ready for the war on the wasps, yellow jackets and hornets. I must be real sweet as they like to hang around me and my home. Someday I will be an over comer. Gee I wonder if they have a 12 Step program for fear of bees.
Any ways I am so excited to see the sun and get out there and do what I do best, "Look for that one-of-a-kind eclectic item for you. Here in PA there are more garage sales than food stores, really I am not kidding. I guess people accumulate so much stuff during the winter months, by the time spring rolls around they want it out of the house, and that makes me a happier garage saler!
Now I will be able to go to the auctions again, the estate sales and more, oh and of course on Saturdays I am selling at the flea market, yes 7th heaven. I am looking forward for all the great finds I can fine, some for me and some for you! Aren't I nice?
Here are a few more patterns that I really like.


You can visit me here to check out my patterns.
http://outoftheattic2u.ecrater.com

Beautiful Blogger Award given to me by MY Book Barn Thank you so much!!! Now for the rules of this one...




1. Thank and link to the person that gave you the award
2. Pass the award onto 15 bloggers you've recently discovered and think are fantastic
3. Contact said Blogs and let them know they've won
4. State 7 things about yourself
Oh boy! Another list! lol O.k...here goes!
I LOVE to read! (Bet you couldn't have figured that one out!)
I love Christian music only.
I love thrifting, junking, auctions, yard sales, etc.
I love walking on the beach.
I have 3 sons and one daughter
I only have 7 grandsons and no grandaughters
I have an online store called out-of-the-attic-2u
Now to pass this on...
Marilyn at MidcenturyMarilyn
My Book Barn
Mikes Sporting Goods
A Vintage Affair
Banner of Blessings
More Than Heirlooms
Lollishops
Peg's Button Blog
The Dutch Rose
The Thrift Shop Romantic
The Vintage Village Directory
The Vintage Village Gazette
Vintage Love
Carriers Cozy Cottage
Jewelry Design-A Journey
Posted By Vintage Rose Collectibles

Labels: awards, beautiful blogger, blog awards, vintagerosecollectibles

Indiana Glass Amber Egg Relish Tray

I have this gorgeous retro amber glass plate that will be just in time for those yummie Easter eggs. It comes with it's original box.
$24.99