I try to justify the things I purchase with my "need vs. want" litmus test. Then I follow it up with the
1. do I love it?
and
2. do I need it?
questions.
Sometimes you see something that brings back a very specific memory of your childhood and you just have to file it under the need category.
Today I was perusing Miss Mustard Seed's on line store and spotted this...
It's an antique German squeeze box. Better known as the accordion. My dad was born in 1928 and grew up in the Bronx, very poor, and the son of a bridge painter. It was 1935 and my grandfather didn't have much to give his boys, but he did value music and knew that was a skill his kids needed to learn. He went to a pawn shop and bought a secondhand Honer accordion. It was a simple two octave instrument with twelve buttons on one side. Shortly after my dad found himself standing in front of the New York School of Music on 3rd Avenue in the Bronx- accordion in hand.
The lessons were 10 cents a class, and it was there that my dad learned how to read music and play chords. He told me that the first day he walked up to the place there was a group of guys in front of the store looking at the old sign out front. Wind was causing the sign to sway back and forth- making a loud squeaking sound. There was much debate as to what key the sign was squeaking in. My dad wondered if they were seriously that musically geeky or just trying to impress a young kid.
When my grandparents had anyone over they would tell the boys to grab the accordion and play a waltz. They would also get my dad to sing. He has an amazing voice and I swear he can whistle better than Bing Crosby could. Grandpa would have him sing Wreck of the Old 97. I love that my dad chuckles low under his breath every time he tells the story.
I guess if you were to look at it rationally, I really didn't need the accordion, but the older I get the more I cherish the stories. As soon as I saw the accordion I knew I wanted it and I knew why.
I want the stories to stay alive.
1. do I love it?
and
2. do I need it?
questions.
Sometimes you see something that brings back a very specific memory of your childhood and you just have to file it under the need category.
Today I was perusing Miss Mustard Seed's on line store and spotted this...
 |
| Via Miss Mustard Seed |
It's an antique German squeeze box. Better known as the accordion. My dad was born in 1928 and grew up in the Bronx, very poor, and the son of a bridge painter. It was 1935 and my grandfather didn't have much to give his boys, but he did value music and knew that was a skill his kids needed to learn. He went to a pawn shop and bought a secondhand Honer accordion. It was a simple two octave instrument with twelve buttons on one side. Shortly after my dad found himself standing in front of the New York School of Music on 3rd Avenue in the Bronx- accordion in hand.
The lessons were 10 cents a class, and it was there that my dad learned how to read music and play chords. He told me that the first day he walked up to the place there was a group of guys in front of the store looking at the old sign out front. Wind was causing the sign to sway back and forth- making a loud squeaking sound. There was much debate as to what key the sign was squeaking in. My dad wondered if they were seriously that musically geeky or just trying to impress a young kid.
When my grandparents had anyone over they would tell the boys to grab the accordion and play a waltz. They would also get my dad to sing. He has an amazing voice and I swear he can whistle better than Bing Crosby could. Grandpa would have him sing Wreck of the Old 97. I love that my dad chuckles low under his breath every time he tells the story.
I guess if you were to look at it rationally, I really didn't need the accordion, but the older I get the more I cherish the stories. As soon as I saw the accordion I knew I wanted it and I knew why.
I want the stories to stay alive.
Tricia, that is such a sweet story. My history is a bit blurred by hardship, the great divide in Punjab marked the wrench of my family leaving a lot behind. My grandfather and father found it hard to talk about it as it still was painful to walk away from ones home and heritage.... I live for the stories of my husbands very rich heritage steeped in stories like yours.
ReplyDeleteMade my heart smile to read it. You should get it!
Hugs, Gee
That would be so terribly hard! My mom's family left Russia abruptly before the war. I can imagine the pain of leaving the home you know and the people and things you love. The memories are something we can carry with us.
DeleteHow funny, I saw the same accordion and thought about how my mother used to play also as a child. I think you made a great purchase. I am the same when it comes to vintage hats. Great story. Alaina
ReplyDeleteMy mother adores vintage hats. I so wish we would bring that fashion trend back. Pill box hats are my fav!
DeleteYes, that was a NEED. Loved the story. Certain things do that to me as well So glad that some people were able to save these things for those of us with the memories.
ReplyDeleteI know how hard it is to let go of items, and I applaud Miss Mustard Seed for letting go of things she may love, but knows that she doesn't have room for. This is a piece that I will hold on to for a very very long time.
DeleteWhat a precious story! My dad was not a story-teller, but my mom was. She kept us listening and sometimes laughing for hours on end. Thanks for sharing your precious memories. That's what I love about blogging. It's a great avenue for expression.
ReplyDeleteBonnie with White Lace and Promises
Exactly- blogging allows us to take a peek into other people's lives and stories. What wonderful memories are made around the table with family!
DeleteHow lovely. I've held onto that accordion for a couple of years, because it makes such a pretty sound. I loved picking it up and pulling it apart and pushing it back together again, hearing the chords. I'm so glad it's going to a good home. :) It makes it easier to part with.
ReplyDeleteI've let go of things over the years, and yes, it makes it so much easier when you know they are going to someone who has an attachment with it. This piece is going in our new library :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful story with such great memories. I loved to hear all the old stories that my relatives used to tell when I was young.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Mary
I think story-telling in families is so rich. I love that those verbal artifacts are passed down :)
DeleteI'm sooo glad you got that! perfect!!
ReplyDeleteMe too! It just reminded me so much of the story I had to get it :)
DeleteWhat a great story and what lovely memories. I can understand why you wanted the accordion.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it struck a chord with me ;) I crack myself up...
DeleteI LOVE this story Patricia. Good for you for making the purchase!
ReplyDeleteHaving a father who would have been the same age as your father is and living in NY, I had a picture of your dad in my minds eye of him playing that accordion. My cousin used to play the accordion as a child, back in the 60's-70's. It's not something one sees too much anymore.
ReplyDeleteIf only that accordion could talk, I'm sure it would have many rich and enticing stories to share.