SUNDAYMEMORIES
Judy Wills
Reblog
I wrote this back in 2013, but enjoyed reading it again. I hope you do, as well
I’ve never thought I would be particularly interested in wood, types of wood, or just about anything related to wood. I guess the first time I really became interested was when I was graduating from high school and a local furniture store gave a Hope Chest to every graduating girl in my class. Now, I must say that the chests were VERY MINIATURE!! More like a keepsake box. But they were made of cedar, as a real hope chest would be, and finished beautifully. After all these 50+ years since that time, my miniature hope chest still smells wonderfully fragrant. That’s probably why I love the fresh smell of cedar so much.
When we were stationed in Germany in the late 1960’s, we came across some wood inlay pictures that really caught our eye. The intricate “jigsaw puzzle” work of the artist…and the different color of the woods used…were fascinating. We purchased just one picture, thinking that was all we could afford. And while we cherished that picture, we couldn’t help but wish we had purchased more.
| Marienplatz – Garmisch/Partinkirken |
Back to Germany we went in the early 1980’s – and we began our search for more of those wood inlay pictures, and especially by the same artist. And we found them! We snapped up two more. All of the scenes are of places in Germany that were important to us and our memories. We treasure them. And we learned that this particular artist had cut enough puzzle pieces to make pictures for up to five years after his death! Amazing.
| Neuschwanstein Castle |
| Konigsee |
But we’ve found other wood inlay that intrigue us, as well. While visiting in the Chicago area, we stayed in a great old house that is now a Bed & Breakfast.
| Roxana Bed & Breakfast |
It is situated on a lake that is reported to have been a playground for the likes of Al Capone and his cronies. As a matter of fact, the room we stayed in was dubbed the “Al Capone Room,” and had pictures of him, one of his famous cigars, and two bullets he might have used.
| Al Capone |
But what interested us the most was the dining room and sitting area. When the new owners purchased the house, most of the rooms had wall-to-wall carpet. When they pulled it up, thinking to replace the carpet, they found the most beautiful wood inlay floors imaginable! So they left them uncarpeted, and open to admiration. We most certainly admired them. Just think of the imagination and planning that went into putting these floors down. Beautiful!
Our favorite Mexican Restaurant in town has a gorgeous wood inlay Aztec calendar hanging at the front of the restaurant. I’ve seen quite a few calendars before, but none this beautiful.
I’m still a carpet girl – and here in Florida, we have either carpet or tile. But that doesn’t stop me from admiring the craftsmanship of those artists from long ago.
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
Old Things R New 
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