Enlightenment

Daddy Steve: Robin is a very sweet boy, but sometimes he can go on a bit about his 'esteemed lineage.'

Robin: Have I mentioned that I'm royalty?

Mikko: Yeah.

Tyler: A bunch of times.

Robin: And that I'm supposed to have eyelashes?

Mikko: We know, we know.

Robin: I'm also a 'limited edition.'  Number 1300!

Tyler: Ha-ha!  Sounds like you're a train!  "Here comes old Number 1300 down the track!"

Mikko and Tyler: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Robin: You guys are just jealous.

Mikko: Certainly not.  Everyone knows that thirteen is an unlucky number.

Tyler: Yeah, Robin.  You better watch out for any black cats crossing your path!

Robin (thinking to himself): Are they right?

That night, Robin hardly slept a wink.  All he could think of was his impending doom.

Robin: Yeeeeeeek!

The next morning...

Sasha: Robin, you look tired.

Robin: I couldn't sleep at all last night.

Miguel: What is wrong?

Robin: My edition number is thirteen hundred!  I'm doomed to bad luck.  I just know a black cat is going to cross my path any moment.

Sasha: Oh, that's just superstition.  Now, if Bigfoot crossed your path, well, that really would be bad luck!

Robin: It's no use.  I can't escape my fate.

Finally, Emile can stand no more...

Emile: >sigh< Oh, mon ami, you exhaust me!  Why do you speak of such foolish theengs?

Robin: Because I'm doomed!  I'm thirteen hundred! Everyone know that's an unlucky number!

Emile: Listen to me--thirteen is treize.  Thirteen 'undred ees one thousand three 'undred, or mille trois cents.  They are not even remotely ze same theeng.

Miguel: Sí, es la verdad.  You English speakers express numbers very strangely.

Robin: Hey!  You're right!

Emile: Well, of course I am.

Robin: Thanks, Emile.  I feel ever so much better now.

Emile: Not at all, mon ami.  You see, I am French, and a descendant of Voltaire.  It ees my duty to spread enlightenment whenever I can.

Now We're Cookin'

Daddy Steve: Growing kids need lots of food to keep their energy levels up.  It's difficult to make tasty and nutritious meals without kitchen facilities.  At least, that's Anthony's contention.  After all, he says, how many cold baloney sandwiches can you serve?

Bowie: Cold cuts? Again?

Anthony: Sorry.  This isn't a 5-star restaurant.

I could see that it was time we assembled a proper kitchen for Gregoropolis.

Anthony: I simply can-NOT work under these primitive conditions.

I'm fond of older, lithographed metal toys.  There was an American toy maker called The Wolverine Company of Pittsburgh, PA that made some really cool mid-century style metal kitchen toys.  They're well-scaled for 16-18 inch dolls.  

It all started when I found this wonderful Wolverine refrigerator on eBay.  It's made entirely of metal and probably dates from the late 1950s.  Best of all, it's in perfect shape with no dents, rust, or scratches.

It's quite the deluxe model with a vegetable drawer and a lazy Susan--no chance of leftovers getting pushed to the back and forgotten.

Realistic door handles that 'click' when they latch.

>click<

It even came with some of the original metal food.

Frank: Mmmmm, steak!

Having a refrigerator has created a new pastime: standing in front of the open door and staring inside.

Anthony: Are you trying to air condition the whole house?

Tyler & Mikko: We're hungry!

In our household, one things always seems to lead to another.  Now that we had a refrigerator, we naturally had to find a companion stove.  And sink.  And cookware.  And utensils.

Both the stove and sink are in stylish 1950s pink.  They have a bit more play wear, but are still in good shape for their age.  The sink basin was rusty, but I was able to remove it and give it a coat of metallic spray paint.  Good as new!

Oliver: Does this mean I'll have to do the dishes now?

Finding cookware turned out to be the difficult part.  It seemed like everything was either a little too big or a little too small.  Most of the pots and pans came from an eBay seller in Germany, which seems to be a good source for nice, older toy kitchen items.

Tyler: Are you going to make an Angel Food cake?

Anthony: It's Devil's Food cake for you two.

Frankly, Anthony was a little skeptical about the stove at first.

Anthony: Well...it's certainly not the latest model.

Daddy Steve: But Anthony, older appliances were built so much better!

Anthony: Hmmmm.  I've never used an electric stove before.

Daddy Steve: I'm sure you'll get the hang of it in no time.

Eventually he pronounced it 'satisfactory.'

By contrast, Holly Belle gave the new kitchen her unqualified endorsement because, as she explained, "it matches my outfit."  You certainly can't argue with that kind of logic.

Farewell Tree

Daddy Steve: We've just had one of the big trees in our backyard taken down.  It was a lovely old Locust that towered over the back corner of the yard.  I think it was about 40 years old.

Unfortunately, it was in declining health; there were many dead and deteriorating limbs in the crown.

The crotch had developed a crack and was beginning to decay.  The tree was also very close to our power line.

I actually got an initial estimate to have it removed a year ago, but needed some extra time for my usual dithering and hand-wringing.  Over the course of last summer, I could see that it was getting worse.  Nevertheless, it was a difficult decision to make.  Expensive, too.  In doll terms, it was like paying for a No Philtrum, only you get a stump in return.

The boys were all sad to see the tree go.  On the day before it was scheduled for removal, Giancarlo and Sasha decided to go out and pay their respects.

Giancarlo: Should we make one last visit?

Sasha: Yes, let's.

Giancarlo: Goodbye, tree.

Sasha: You were a good friend.

We had to temporarily evacuate Apollo a safe distance away.  We didn't want him losing his head from a stray falling limb.

When I came home from work the next day, the tree was gone.

Some of the boys went out to examine where it had stood and share their feelings.

Oliver: It sure was a big tree--big enough for gnomes to live in!

Luke: It's hard to believe it's gone.

Duncan: It makes me sad.

Ravi and Patrick felt badly too, but they believed it was important to look ahead, not back.  They immediately started researching possible landscape replacements.

Ravi: It should be something pretty.

Patrick: Perhaps something that blooms in the spring?

Ravi: But maybe doesn't get quite as big.

A Change of Mood

Daddy Steve:  I've never seen the mood at Gregoropolis change so abruptly.  Take a look...

Blake: Ooooh, what have we here?

Holly Belle: Some new shoes from Marti Murphy just arrived in the mail!

Emile: So stylish.  Eet ees what all of ze fashionable garçons parisiens are wearing.

Daisy: These will go perfectly with my new spring dress.

Holly Belle: I just adore pink!

 It was at that point Daddy Steve had to break the unfortunate news.

All: WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE'RE NOT KEEPING THEM?!?!

Sorry, sweeties, but I bought these shoes for the upcoming Sasha Festival.  They're for the gift exchange and helper raffle.  I promise that I'll bring you back some more lovely shoes from Marti.  And other surprises, too!

Blake: Well, okay, I guess

Holly Belle: If I live that long...

Emile: I will just 'ave to go barefoot, like ze street urchin.

Daisy: Waiting is agony.

More Mayhem

Daddy Steve: We haven't talked much about Mikko and Tyler's antics lately; you might've thought the two rascals were finally behaving themselves.  Alas, you would be wrong.  They're still up to their usual mischief, sorry, adventures.  Some of their recent exploits have included...

Spelunking in the clothes dryer.

Mikko: We're searching for the Lost City of Mismatched Socks!

Creating havoc in the kitchen under the pretext of 'helping.'

Tyler: What would happen if turned it on 'high' and raised the beater"

Mikko: Let's find out!

Smiley the Pig: I don't know, boys, that doesn't sound like a good idea...

This little activity had us puzzled.  Turns out they were trying to see if the loaf of bread would work as an emergency slide "like the ones airplanes have."

Tyler: Evacuate the aircraft!

Mikko: Wheeeeeeeee!

Ezra: Right behind you!

Anthony: Hey!  That's for our supper tonight!

Lately Ezra has frequently become a collaborator in these schemes--a third musketeer of mayhem.  However, when caught by Anthony, he's very quick to distance himself.

Anthony: What am I going to do with you guys?
Ezra: Yeah, what's wrong you two?

Tyler: Hey! What do you mean "you 'two'?"

It seemed everyone in Gregoropolis had an opinion on their antics...

Bowie: They're like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Holly Belle: Of course, real pros wouldn't get caught.

Charles: Wouldn't they rather do something fun like create an Excel spreadsheet?

Patrick: Tsk! They're so illogical.

They are basically good boys; and almost always repentant, though never reformed.

Mikko: Worth it.

Tyler: Totally worth it.

Some Thoughts On Sewing

Daddy Steve: A little over a year ago, I purchased a sewing machine with the thought of making clothes for the (then only) boys.  You may have wondered where that idea eventually went.  Truth is, it didn't go terribly far.  No, not far at all...maybe around the block or perhaps just to the corner and back...

I took a sewing class through Community Education that was somewhat helpful, although most of the class time was spent getting everyone's machine threaded.  Turns out that sewing machines are a lot like people: they're all basically the same, but not exactly the same.  I did a little practicing/experimenting on my own, but didn't create much other than frustration.  Sewing doll clothes is frequently described as 'fiddly work', and now I understand why.  It's all of those sharp little curves--sort of like trying to maneuver a tank around a miniature golf course.  I think part of the problem has to do with my temperament.  I tend to get frustrated when I don't feel proficient at what I'm doing.  Unfortunately, proficiency in sewing doesn't come overnight.  After some abortive attempts, the machine just sat there and collected dust for a bit.

A few weeks ago, I dusted it off.  We were doing our Easter post and needed sheets and pillowcases for the bunk beds.  It turned out to be a project I could handle!  I do a fair job at long, straight hems and square corners.  It was nice to be able to make something and actually be reasonably satisfied with the end result.

Anthony: Very nice.  Perhaps he's finally discovered where his talents lie.

Gavin: Otherwise, he could always take up a musical instrument.

As a newbie, here are a few random things that I've learned about sewing (often the hard way):

1.  Fabric has a 'right' and 'wrong' side.  When you sew, you need to be mindful of which side should be facing up.  The first project we made in class was what the instructor described as a 'little thing to put under a plant or candle.'  As you can see, I got one of the pink pieces facing the wrong way.  Whoops...

Kaveh: I think it looks nice.  It's not even noticeable.

Thanks, Kaveh.  You're a sweet boy.

2.  Ever seen one of these?  You need to use it.  A lot.

John Martin: It's called an iron.  When you plug it in, it gets very hot and flattens fabric.

Luke: Well, fancy that!  All this time I thought it was for propping open doors.

3.  You'll need to use one of these a lot, too (especially when you're learning).

Benjamin Roy: Stupefy!

Blake: Dude.  That wand only reverses spells.

4.  While you're sewing, it's a good idea to periodically check to make sure that you really are sewing..i.e. the needle hasn't become unthreaded or the bobbin hasn't run out.  Sewing without thread is basically just poking holes in fabric.

Giancarlo: Aren't they supposed to stick together?

Robin: Well, that's the way it looks in the book.  Wait, do we have thread?

That's all I have to report for now.  At this point, I'm not sure where (if anywhere) my little sewing adventures will ultimately go.  One thing I can say is that this experience has given me tremendous respect and appreciation for all of those folks who create beautiful clothes for Gregor and Sasha!

BR Builds A Bed

Daddy John:  Gregoropolis has gotten a bit crowded of late, so we've needed some new sleeping accommodations.

I came across Benjamin Roy lounging in a quiet and solitary corner (very rare around here!).  When I expressed my plan, he happily volunteered to take over.

BR: I've been watching a lot of This Old House; I've got this, Daddy John!

BR: First, we review the plans and inventory our parts and tools.

BR: Uh-oh, the little man in the directions has a friend to help him.  Guess I will need a helper, too.

BR's best buddy Pete Dakota was soon enlisted and he appeared, hammer in hand.

The boys set to work.  BR hammered in the pegs and Pete screwed in the bolts.

Pete: Have you got that end all right?  Careful now, watch your fingers!

In no time at all, the frame was all put together and soon the boys were putting on the mattress, sheets, and blanket.

BR: Think I will test it out with a nap.  Would you turn off the lights on your way out, Daddy John?