Friday's Quote

See if you can give more attention to the action, rather than the result that you want to achieve through it.  Give your fullest attention to whatever the moment presents.  This implies that you also completely accept what is, because you cannot give your full attention to something and at the same time resist it.

~ Unknown

They just don't make them like this any longer

I was in an antiques store (known as The Collective) this past weekend, when I overheard a woman say to her husband  "they just don't make them like this any longer"  I hadn't intended to overhear their conversation, and I would never normally comment on something I overhear, but it so echoed my own sentiments that as I moved closer to where they were, I mentioned overhearing her and added how much I concurred with her sentiments.

Thankfully, there are still people around who appreciate fine craftsmanship - including antiques - and more importantly, there are still skilled craftspeople around to do it.  No matter how good a machine is at carving, nothing beats a piece of furniture that has been lovingly created by hand.  Don't get me wrong, mass-produced items have their place - and their price point - but I have a high-attention and appreciation for detail, and that, more often than not, does not come from mass production.  

Perhaps this is why when I go into an old house, I almost get giddy with excitement at the details that just are not used in more modern houses.  I love patina, and something that has history - even if I don't know the history.

A few years ago while we were in the Grand Canyon, my husband walked by the train station and notice the door handles.  He knew how much I would love them and called me over to have a look.  I sighed with utter contentment, and almost welled up with tears, when I saw the 'GC' carved into the knob and unusual shape of the plate - they just don't make them like this any longer...