Sunday, February 03, 2008

A Priceless Gift

Nancy, my mil, handed me this unassuming box and said, "I thought you might like this." Before I opened it I thought it might be an old movie projector or something. Imagine my delighted surprise when I saw this...

and this...

Holy Smokes! It's a 1934 Singer 221 featherweight!

look at the "egyptian scrollwork" pattern!

I eagerly plugged it it and held my breath as I flipped the switch...a whiff of ozone and voila it was humming away in no time. What a sweet little machine. It was owned by Nancy's mil, Violet Isabella Reid Milne. She must have bought it when she was pregnant with Ken's father in 1938. I wasn't fortunate enough to have known her as she passed away just before Ken and I began to date but she's sounded like an amazing woman. She came from a farming family of 13 children. I believe she was the oldest. She worked and put herself through college in the 20's, went on many adventures like flying in a biplane, attended a party in Detroit that was busted up during an opiate raid...that is where she met her husband! Had children at the unheard of age (at the time) of 37 and lived a fruitful full life till she passed at the age of 94 in 1994. Look at her delightful fingerwaves!

2 comments:

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Not just a wonderful featherweight, but one with wonderful her-story... what a gift.
Missy, thank you for your kindness and prayers... it feels so nice.

Anonymous said...

That is awesome that your MIL feels that you would enjoy it and gave you such a treasure with a beautiful family story. Enjoy it!!