Last week, I took some time to pay a bit of attention to my pens and pencils. If you use disposable ballpoint pens, that might sound like an odd task, but I primarily use fountain pens, refillable mechanical pencils, and even refillable ballpoint pens. Several of my pens and pencils are silver or brass, which need to be polished now and then. I realize not everyone would want to spend time out of their day to polish their pencils and fiddle with a clogged nib on a fountain pen, but I found delight in the chore. Even though we have more time-saving and labor-saving devices than ever, we use more disposable things than ever.
I’m not judging anyone who uses disposable things for their ease. I used disposable diapers for my boys. I use paper plates and cups when we have a lot of people over, paper towels for rags when painting. I love using liners for my paint roller trays and containers, and I’m not even sure what I would do without plastic wrap and Ziplock bags. I don’t think we need to give up all of the disposable things, but I love the idea of picking a few things that require some care and maintenance but will last a lifetime.
When I first started going to yard sales and thrift stores, I was shocked at the amount of vintage linen and silver pieces I could find. They were right up there with old Tupperware and footbaths. You could almost count on spotting an old set of linens still starched in the box or a silver-plated tea set wrapped in plastic. They were unused wedding gifts, items that were inherited, and things that had been stored in attics, garages, basements, and closets. Somewhere along the way, we as a culture, were convinced that ironing, polishing, refilling fountain pens, and retinning copper pots was a waste of time, money, and energy. Collectively, the bulk of a generation replaced linen with polyester, copper with stainless steel, and fountain pens with BICS.
I understand the desire to make life easier and lower maintenance, but I think we lost something in the process.
Mundane tasks like polishing and ironing provide us with a prime opportunity to think while also being productive.
I can’t remember if I was listening to a book or a podcast, but I remember the reader/podcaster sharing he does some of his best thinking when he’s ironing. It’s a task he used to hate, but now he looks forward to it as valuable time to let his mind wander and explore new possibilities. I have found that as well. When I’m working on something on autopilot, I often have to stop so I can write down some of my thoughts. With 24-hour entertainment in our pockets, we don’t give ourselves very much time to daydream.
We have more appreciation for things we have to take care of.
If everything we have feels disposable, expendable, or like it has a short, maintenance-free lifespan, I think it’s hard to gain appreciation for it. When I take time to polish the silver Wallace bells we hang on our tree each Christmas or press the linen napkins my mother-in-law passed along to me after a holiday dinner, I appreciate them all the more. I appreciate their quality, beauty, and timelessness.
Beauty is good for our hearts.
Owning and using beautiful things is good for our hearts. I’m not talking about being overly materialistic. I’m talking about something as simple as owning one special serving piece that was passed down to you, using a pen that costs more than ¢15, or splurging on a cashmere sweater for Christmas. I can almost guarantee that it’s those things, those special things that need to be hand-washed and babied just a little bit will be some of your favorite things. The longing for beauty was built into us and that extends from beach sunsets to your garden tools.
My inlaws have a sign in their house that I’ve always appreciated. It reads things of quality have no fear of time. It makes me think of dovetailed joints, handmade wooden spoons, a brass letter opener, a copper bundt pan… It makes me think of the silver-plated hairbrush that belonged to my Oma. It was a time when something as everyday as a hairbrush was precious and yes, needed to be polished.
I hope you appreciate not only those beautiful, timeless things you have but also the joy it is to take care of them.
I enjoy ironing, when I was young (10 years old) it was my job on a Saturday morning to do the family ironing. No ironing boards, it was a towel or two placed on our table and off I went (family of 7). Never liked polishing the silver my mum had, however , did it. My daughter has inherited my love of old items and beautiful fabrics. We love going to thrift and antique stores. She is only 18 so I’m fortunate she enjoys it.
My mother taught me to iron using my dad’s handkerchiefs. Never minded ironing and still don’t.
I too learned to iron on my Daddy’s handkerchiefs. When he passed away, I put one in my dresser for keeps. ❤️
Ironing was my chore. I folded it and laid it on the bed and watched tv. I love to Iron but these new fancy ones get me messed up now! I loveeee finding vintage ironed tablecloths. I have a huge collection! And my beloved mom trained me well in quality. Most of my house is Marketplace as the pieces I find are so well made!! I’m not big on the silver as I think I do it wrong. And those lovely pens… I learned to make cards as a kid with quills and ink. Great memories! A great post!!!!
I iron my sheets every week. I love the crisp, fresh feel when I get into a freshly made bed. It’s even better if they had been dried on the line outside.
A recent purchase of mine was a fountain pen. I love how it feels when I write…somehow it makes a simple note seem special.
We need beauty around us to feed our souls.
Yes, that is exactly the sentiment I’m sharing.
I, too, love freshly ironed sheets and don’t mind pressing them. Same goes for my clothes. I also enjoy polishing my shoes, boots. It’s soothing.
The great English textile designer William Morris famously said, “Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Words to live by.
Love this and agree some things are so worth the effort. I remember when I finally got old enough to do the linens on our mangle. The big mechanical device with rollers that sat in the corner of the kitchen. I felt like I had become a real “big girl”. Anybody out there remember those?
I do! We had one at our camp! Loved it when I was a kid and could help do the wash.
I find these kinds of tasks to be therapeutic, and there’s NOTHING like laying your head on a freshly pressed pillowcase at night!
And I especially love your emphasis on using these treasured things — the china, the silver. (Your silver pattern, by the way, is among the most exquisite.)
Yes!!! I feel the joy of it all too. After I go out thrifting, I am almost giddy with excitement that I “get” to clean up all the items. If it is from an estate sale, where I know someone has passed, while I am cleaning it I think about the former owner and how possibly she/he used and enjoyed the item.
At least 25 years ago I bought a brass bell music box from the estate of “Margaret”. When I purchased it, the grandkids told me how much “Granny” loved decorating for Christmas. EVERY year since, when I pull out the bell, which plays “Silent Night”, I say, “Merry Christmas Margaret this one is for you!!!”
Too much of today’s world is throw away. People lack the joy of these simple tasks……I feel for them.
What do you suggest for polishing the silver? The Wallace bells we have are in dire need, and I know my silver could all use good polishing…
I use Goddard’s Silver Foam. It works well and isn’t super stinky to use.
Another quote along these lines is “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.”
For sure I have always loved cleaning, unlike most people. I love taking chaos and dirt and turning it into order and cleanliness! It is a meditation for me, and I love to ponder life while I clean things.
I don’t have too many things that need ironing anymore, but I do iron when I sew. What I really love doing is laundry, washing dishes, and vacuuming.
Tending to our homes and objects lovingly should be enjoying to us. After all, they are great blessings and I for one have always taken good care of anything that is mine so that I could make it last “forever.” Something that is well taken care of is much more likely to be scooped up by a future admirer and it will live on and delight more people.
I love the idea of using a refillable pencil and pen! Could you give us an idea of where we might find them? And how to maintain them, too.
I, too, enjoy polishing and ironing!
Yes! I’ll do a post all about it!
Thank you for this wonderful post and all of the precious comments. They remind me of a book I have had since 1986 entitled Living a Beautiful Life, by Alexandra Stoddard. I am inspired once again to reflect on caring for what we already have and the new treasures we gather.
This is a great post and something alot of us need to remember.
Beautiful ~ every word resonates. Thank you💕
I remember seeing my late grandmother iron sheets and many other types of linens that most women today wouldn’t think about ironing. I recall seeing beautiful fountain pens and their cases or holders on the desks of two of my great aunts who were teachers. When I see old letters written with fountain pens, it transports me back to a more elegant and regal time. Just the texture of these gorgeous pens is so special. What really saddens me is every time I walk into a thrift, consignment or antique shop there is loads of beautiful china that nobody seems to want anymore. Thats why I am so happy to see younger folks embracing the Grandmillenial style and appreciating these things again.
Great post! And the comments are all fantastic! I agree with everyone here!
As I have aged, I have gained quite an appreciation for those things you mentioned. I started using my sterling spoons for things like oatmeal and ice cream. My linen sheets are once again in the rotation. Not all of my pens are disposable. I prefer cloth napkins over paper. No paper plates or plastic utensils. It’s cheaper and prettier.
I must admit I haven’t ironed in a decade, my current dryer has an ironing function. I only use natural materials and living in places that do not always have modern utilities I learned to use what was there. Heat is bearable if you wear linen. Silk and wool keep you warmer than plastics. It’s anti-bacterial too, meaning airing is enough, which is handy if you wash by hand. Height makes you cook, write, and live differently. Seeing that people embrace such a lifestyle is good for Mother Earth.
This post is so my heart! I couldn’t agree more! I iron every week especially my husband’s work clothes. I do all the ironing at once so there is no stress in the mornings. It’s a great time to pray! Also, fyi, toothpaste ( paste not gel) works wonders with no adverse smells. You rub the silverware with a cloth. You’ll see your cloth turn black! Then once polished rinse under water and dry. No harm for putting it in your mouth! Plus, there is always some toothpaste on hand!