Old Fashion Ploy

Feather-duster

 

A nineteen century feather duster once danced through the parlour in the hand of maiden wearing a white pinafore and thick black stockings.

Then there is me, with an old sock in hand and jeans.

Dusting is dusting, only the atmosphere has changed.

 

 

Nutcracker

 

A nineteen century nutcracker. Obviously, not for a family of six. It could never produce cracked nuts fast enough. Instead, the dainty nutcracker was created for one of those long ago evenings where a couple would sit by the fire: Comfy-cozy, rosy cheeks, bottle of wine, soft music flaming the mood, and hands slightly touching when reaching for a cracked nut.

"Sacha? Do tell! Are you spittin' sunflower seeds while hanging out with the Homecoming Queen?" Desperate-Old-Fashion-Mother-Wants-to-Hear-You-Say-No.

 

 

Pulley

 

A pulley. Oh the pulley. I won't even go there….

I have sold a few. I love finding these– especially the ones with a soft worn patina.

I have one, it sits in the shed collecting dust. French Husband is going to suspend it from the ceiling so "we" can hang the chandelier from it. Though he sees no reason to change the practical hook for a charming pulley. I beg to deaf ears. I threaten, I will do it myself. But as you know every couple has their codes, unspoken agreements and commitments. One of ours is: I can do whatever I want in the way of decorating. French Husband likes my taste as long as I do not drill holes in the walls, or add chunky-monkey hooks to suspend lighting. He wants to do that, when he wants to do that and that equals me waiting for a long time.

Maybe I should wear a pinafore with black stockings, "Honey do you need some dusting?" That might get him up the ladder ready to drill that little hole for me in the ceiling. I'll let you know if my ploy works.



Comments

29 responses to “Old Fashion Ploy”

  1. The outfit is a wise choice. You could also bribe him with chocolate. I love the nutcracker, I never would have guessed what it was.

  2. Kisses your stories always enchant me.
    Happy dusting
    Love you

  3. Just wanted to say that I really like coming to your blog and drooling over the pretty pictures…your prose isn’t too bad either! South of France? Maybe I’ll see you this Spring in that direction! If you ever make it up to Belgium, let me know. Thanks for always sharing.

  4. Lovely story. Going to France is on my 20 Wishes List. Sigh. Right now I am in my cottage with cold creeping in dreaming of spring.

  5. The prettiest duster every. Might make dustinga bit more thrilling~
    But that pulley! I
    I heart that pulley.
    Hi Corey~
    xox
    Constance

  6. corey–DO IT!! a maid’s outfit and sheer black stockings might just be your answer. DO IT!!

  7. I have found the fastest way to get a man to is to walk around the house gazing at the walls with a hammer in your hand.
    I thought myy husband was going to be ill the day I came home with a cordless drill for some craft project or other – he and my son had that thing squirrelled out of the house in no time.
    Good luck Corey!

  8. You know the old saying Corey…you can catch more flies with honey…etc.etc…
    But don’t feel bad, the only fixer-upper in our house is me 🙂

  9. I love it! I love your phrase – “every couple has their codes, unspoken agreements and commitments.” I must admit, however, that I will wait, and wait, and wait, and finally say “honey, where did you put the hammer?”. Works every time and the task is done. Of course, then he finds a new place to hide the hammer . . .

  10. While wearing your pinafore with black stockings. Drop the pulley and bend over slowly to pick up….”Oh, look honey. I seemed to have dropped something.”

  11. Yes, my husband and I have our own code of communication as well. Hope you get that hook sooner than later!

  12. Oh, Corey…are intentionally naughty? Very funny….

  13. Hee! My husband is a construction guy, has all the tools and the know-how, but do you think he has hung the curtain rods that I’ve been politely waiting for him to hang for the past year, because he also did the drywall and painting and I didn’t want to wreck anything with my unskilled ways?
    Last weekend I said to hell with waiting, and hung the first curtain rod myself. And it’s still there. Woo hoo!! If it hasn’t fallen down by this weekend, I’ll go hang the next two. It wasn’t hard at all. Can’t believe I waited for that shmuck! And if he dares say one word about the rod being a little bit crooked … or if the rod does fall down … I will say, “You had your chance, darlin!”

  14. Hmmm. Well, it works the opposite way in my house. My husband does some housework and I’m so grateful…if you know what I mean.

  15. Hahahaha! Yes, Corey, do it! Just the laugh I needed right now. You are so much fun!

  16. I read, “French Husband is going to suspend it from the ceiling so “we” can hang the chandelier from it.” as:
    “French Husband is going to suspend it from the ceiling so “we” can hang from it.”
    Maybe offer him that.

  17. Oh, the things we have to do to get holes drilled into the ceiling. Or trim put up in the dining room. Or a new light fixture put up in the kitchen (ok, on that one I cried and my Dad came over and did it for me…)

  18. Franca’s mind and mine where thinking alike! LOL! I thought that is were you were going until I read chandelier. Just imagine the new followers you would get with that post! I also walk around with a drill/hammer/saw in hand and a far away look in my eyes. I was a carpenter’s daughter, so hubby gets nervous and volunteers to “help”. Snicker

  19. you Naughty Funny girl!

  20. Very true about the “every couple has their codes, unspoken agreements and commitments”. Its odd that they are often unspoken agreements. My husband is very handy with every sort of tool for doing useful things. If I feel my humble requests have gone on too long I ask “I know you are very busy, would you like me to call the plumber, electrician, carpenter to do this?” Sometimes it works. Sometimes I try to do it myself and then there are multiple holes in the ceiling that may remain there for a long time. Oh well.

  21. I think if your wear only the apron and hold the duster just so it might just work.

  22. Oh Corey! Your ploy will work!
    (slaps head) Tomorrow I will pull the attic door rope down and start up that little ladder in some equivalent of your black stockings and maids outfit! It will get him in that direction! I have to get things in the attic!
    Brenda @ Kindred Hearts Antiques

  23. French husband, french/american/california girl. a killer combination, bold conspirators, speaking the language of long time wedded bliss and the unspoken words of partners bound together in a long, lasting romantic courtship.

  24. Marie-Noëlle

    Have you tried this ??? Not a new way of dusting … You still need an apron (mind you, a pretty boutis can do too!)…
    Anyway, it might remind you of some childhood fun!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhI1zeDwoI0
    PS- the French actress in this commercial became famous after this !

  25. Delightful post!
    I can’t get my husband to even drill a hole any more. Now, we hire the handyman. It’s much better and they clean up their messes and don’t expect me to be their “gofer”.
    ~elaine~

  26. Corey…is the one in the photo for sale?

  27. All three things are sold, sorry.

  28. Danna I am the oh so proud owner of that beautiful little duster. It sits in its new home on our old 19th century secretary…although now it brings to mind something BRAND NEW when I see it!!! Thanks a lot Corey!!

  29. AAAAaaaaaggghhh!! Quentin leaned over me and asked, “Mom, why do you keep saying ‘Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh’”? Hahaha! These adorable, chubby-cheek faces are KILLING me! Sorry, and no offense to the store, Geri, but I barely noticed the merchandise or clothing this time around. TOO CUTE!! 😀
    pilipalagaga 0225

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