Gems and Jewels

There was a generation who repaired, not replaced, that mended, not tossed, who still may have a darning tool that looks like an egg with a handle. Who still remembers the little shop on Main Street near Chandler where you could bring an appliance to be re-wired? Yes, fixed! Craftsmen knew how to repair almost any appliance. Big appliances like washing machines and dryers had catalogs that listed parts that matched your model. The repair man came to your home, diagnosed the cause of the problem and used the catalog to get the parts needed to repair your machine. The same kind of technician would work that miracle with your refrigerator. Major appliances could be passed down to the next generation or next renter of family owned three decker homes.

Where have those folks gone? Remember the zipper repair shop and the shoe repair man? One could bring their well made shoes with worn out soles to the cobbler and have many more seasons of wear. These special people were down town. The jeweler could also repair your watch and replace the leather strap if it had worn out. He and the cobbler could sometimes be seen in the shop or store window: a living advertisement of their craft. A seamstress or tailor might still be found at the dry cleaners and there might be a cobbler in a small shop on Grafton Hill. They can still fix things!

Way back in my day, the Tinker came the house each spring. He would repair your pots and pans, blow torch in hand, with liquid lead? He might fix other small kitchen tools. The Upton junk man came to your house by horse and buggy to buy or just take away stuff you no longer wanted or needed, but he could re-purpose or sell.

I began to wonder about how we once “fixed” human situations that “broke down.” Incompatibility ended up in “separation”, not divorce. Infertility was “fixed’ by annulment? People sought out their priest, pastor or rabbi for counsel. Now it’s the lawyer, psychiatrist, or mayhem? I’d like to believe we as responsible human beings can still fix things…or at least preserve the good stuff we have been blessed to possess.

Hmmm? Wishful thinking on my part?