Monday, August 19, 2019

So If You're In a Nostalgic Sort of Mood.....


Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."  ... Colossians 3:23,24


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Well, last time I ended with the sad story of our nostalgic theater's demise, so let's do some What's Still Here, ok?


See this photo?




Think it was taken in the 1920's? Wrong. That picture was snapped only last week! 

Yep, just another meeting of that car cruise gang over in our former town and I'll tell ya-- my heart goes all pitter-patter simply knowing some folks in 2019 still enjoy this stuff. 

I've never even attended those weekly vintage car shows, but I'm thrilled with the thought that they take place in my lifetime.







Vintage car cruises. They're not just about cars--no! 

They whisk us back in Time, reminding us when things were built beautifully and to last. They tickle our artistic brains with pleasing colors, textures, and imagined street pictures of when these cars were everywhere. You know, with people upon sidewalks dressed in well-made, classic-styled suits, dresses and hairstyles showing effort and care. 

They remind us that slowing-down, placing discipline, excellence, into Life's daily details, matter. Why race through Life without paying attention until it's all over--and too late?

Well, don't get me started.  ツ


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And yes, we've lost that small vintage theater, but also in our former town, there's still this huge, 1920's gorgeous one.




Shortly after we moved to New York in 1993, restoration began by volunteers using donations. To this day the theater is used for community events, concerts (elegant and otherwise), silent movies while the old Wurlitzer organ plays, children's summer movies, well-known comedians and stars and more.


Oh, the details!





Even the lobby is special, reminiscent of those days when folks meant what they created to outlast them, so they took their time and did not just rush to reach a wild quota.





Usually in this blog I teach that we should look forward in joy to what God will do and yes! I still believe that, of course.

But every once in awhile? It's good to glance behind at the Past and carry back and put into practice any of the rich lessons (graciousness, patience, contentment, forgiveness, love) we can from back in the days when the Bible seemed, at least to many, a little closer to the heart.

May we often remind ourselves of what God says truly matters.





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We each leave behind a legacy--that's unavoidable. What is avoidable, though, is leaving a sloppy, oh-hum one.



Be the person who brings graciousness back--please!  ツ


The older I become, the more I'm learning to appreciate what I have while I still have it.


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Made a few tiny changes around my house--



                          Brought down the rooster from the top of our cabinets.


Moved the plates here rather than beside the hutch where I had tons of plates (can you say, 'overkill'?). Had only meant to move this for 6 years or so!


Brought the framed photos here, instead, where the hanging dishes had been.






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"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

7 comments:

Terra said...

The old theater is majestic and good that it is still in use. My best friend in grade school donated funds to restore our favorite movie theater in my home town, these buildings are treasures. Tickets to a double feature were 25 cents, back in the day. For that we also saw a newsreel and a cartoon.

Betsy said...

What a beautiful old theater. How nice that it is still used and loved.
I enjoyed seeing bits of your home and your decorating. I am thinking of tweaking some things around here this winter too.
Have a wonderful Monday!
Blessings,
Betsy

Debi @ Tuesdays Child said...

That's so awesome that the old theater is still standing and .. being used yet today. Oh how I wish ours were still here yet but it's been gone since the late 80's/early 90's. I loved that place - not only for the movies I'd seen there since childhood but also because as a second job, my dad and step-mom cleaned it. And may I say that my sister, brothers and I had many great times on weekends at the theater when our parents were cleaning? Imagine five children having free reign of the theater .. running up and down the aisles and too, looking for money that might have been dropped but always finding ... Yep, you probably guessed it. POPCORN! Ha Ha!

I like the little changes you've made, Debra .. they look really nice! Sometimes a few little changes can make a big difference too, ya know?!

They used to have car cruise in's at the local Dairy Queen just south of town a few miles but don't think they do any more. Now, there are, in the summer of course, car shows here and they go from antique really old cars all the way to muscle cars and what have you but as far as dressing up in vintage clothing or whatever, I've never seen that here but it would be awesome to see, for sure!

Have a blessed day everyone and Debra, thank you for keeping your blog so uplifting and with such relevant posts. I appreciate it and I appreciate you as well. : )

Pam said...

Oh my, that old theater is amazing, and the pictures of the car cruisers and they're vintage clothing really does look like the 1920s. Those pictures reminded me of my maternal grandma, who passed when I was around 9 or 10 yrs old. I was the first grandchild and lived close to her home. She had been widowed before she was 50 and hated being alone, so I spent many days, nights, and weekends with her. I loved going through her collections. She came of age in the 20s and had been a "flapper" which was pretty crazy considering she had become very religious after she and grandpa started having kids. I could tell from those old pictures that grandma loved to have a good time and the clothes, hats and jewelry were so different from what we wore in the 60s. Although she always appeared prim and proper to most folks, grandma showed me some flapper dance moves whenever we were in the kitchen. Sometimes she'd grab me and we'd dance around the old chrome/formica table and chairs.Such precious times. So glad I have the memories. I didn't have her in my life for very long, but she taught me much about love, laughter, and sharing. Thanks for triggering another great memory, Debra. Your posts do that so often for me and I just love it!!!

Pam said...

Sorry to take up so much space, but I wanted to tell you that I really like the color combinations you have in your home, Debra. So warm. Makes me want to try some new combinations in our home, too!

Deborah Raney said...

I agree with Pam! I love your color combinations and love the changes you've made! We left our plate rack with the old house but seeing yours painted cream, and especially with the beads draped over it, I may have to look for another one!! I love that! And also having several plates stacked in front of each other. So pretty! Especially with that cool light shining on everything from below.

Oh, and the rooster looks perfect in the center of the table! You're like me in loving to change things up!

Debra said...

Terra--I'm so glad to hear the theater in your hometown was saved! They really are such treasures and that's wonderful that your friend was able to help save it. I'm sure you have great memories from your younger years there.

Betsy--thanks for commenting about my decorating and I'm so happy that maybe if just a little it helped inspire you to switch things up this winter!

Debi-- that's so great you have such fun memories of the theater of your childhood! But gee, I wish with you that the theater had been saved. I know though, that it costs so much to keep these old buildings up and running. Alas. Glad you liked the changes I'd made around the house and thanks for letting me know!

Pam--I loved your memories of your grandmother so much! Thank-you for sharing those. What a treasure she was and I'm so happy you had those lovely times. Glad you liked my color combinations! It's been wonderful lately mixing things up a bit.

Deb--oh my! Since you are one of my most admired decorators I truly appreciate your comments about these latest changes! Thank-you. Much. If you do go ahead with another plate hanger be sure to share it with us at Facebook, ok? I'm loving your new home photos more than you know!


Thanks so much, Everyone, for your comments! Blessings, Debra