A poem from Dan about the present that I gave to him. I couldn't resist posting it.
Can you guess what the gift was?
(don't strain too hard reading it, I rewrote it below)
Isolated islands, round circumference,
Lands of lettered and vast indifference,
That rise like steps sustained by stilts,
This structure by which all else is built.
Ten fingers make each lonely step unite,
Changing a quadrant once bare winter-white,
To a scape all full of an emptied head,
To a place that can sing or sob when read.
This archipelago, stone-still and quiet,
Waits for its change and steed-charge unsilent;
Then clickety-clack trot the keys on
This grand tool of composition.
If you haven't figured it by now, I found Dan an old vintage typewriter in one of my favorite vintage shops. I'd been hiding it away since october, so tempted to give it to him early. But, I made it to the big Christmas Day reveal. He's been doing a lot of writing lately and always talks about how neat it would be to work at an old typewriter. I have to admit, I didn't see the draw at first--it's loud, there's no backspace button, little sheets of whiteout strips, flimsy typewriter paper, no save button, paper rolled crookedly into place. But after sitting down to a few sessions at the old keys, I can see the attraction. It slows you down, you think about each letter, each word, the perfect time to start a new line. The keys make such a rewarding sound with each press, the ding of the bell to remind you that you're coming to the end. I find myself sitting down to type out a few words more often than I thought I would. I type my own name and work through the names of people in my family, or the lyrics to the song on the stereo, trying to keep some sort of rhythm with the bang of the keys.
I'm definitely thinking this was a good gift...
HOWEVER, I think I may have been outdone. Below is a picture of the typewriter sitting proudly on MY gift from Dan...a new dining room table that he made for me. I love it---the dark stain, the wide boards, the tapered legs, the character of the wood showing through. He even picked out the runner that is on top, for the perfect Christmas showing. You have to love a handy husband!
And finally this post wouldn't be complete without revealing the best gift given to the girls. This dollhouse from plan toys has gotten lots of use since Christmas Day. Although Mary tends to throw some furniture around and play dolls on top of Emma's head, it still has been great fun for them both.
I love your new dining room table. Dan will certainly be able to bang away at his typewriter!
Posted by: Jackie | 02 January 2006 at 04:54 AM
that poem was amazing
and so is the table...
i can also understand the draw of the typewriter...i regret
having given mine up years ago...its the typeface that i love...you just can't emulate it...
happy new year
Posted by: gkgirl | 02 January 2006 at 07:53 AM
oh how cool!!!
Posted by: mommyzabs | 02 January 2006 at 01:48 PM
oh my goodness... how sweet. the vintage typewriter, the GORGEOUS dining room table...!
(hey, and ava got that exact dollhouse last year for christmas...it has been such a hit!)
happy new year!!!
Posted by: andrea | 02 January 2006 at 04:46 PM
Tell Dan he's such a wonderful writer. You aren't so bad yourself though! That's one reason I love reading your blog. I also totally dig the table he made and the dollhouse for the girls. I'm sure you can all enjoy the wonderful and useful presents you exchanged!
Posted by: Carrie | 02 January 2006 at 05:20 PM
That poem is great!!! great gifts you guys give each other, cute dollhouse.
Posted by: Heather | 03 January 2006 at 10:57 AM
Mole,
Sometimes I think your husband was born in the wrong century.
Two wonderful works of art....
Posted by: Mary | 04 January 2006 at 02:05 PM
What a fantastic idea !
You've reminded me that I have an old typewriter up in the loft, I shall be up there tomorrow to find it.
Thank you.
: )
Posted by: lyn | 04 January 2006 at 04:55 PM