The Singer, not the song - 2

I've had a busy couple of days, but have managed to nearly finish off the table of G8824661.

After completely drying, following the application of the oil soap, I used a liberal application of dark Old English Scratch Remover to do just that. Then, having given it time to soak in and cleaning off the surplus, it was down to using Howard's Restore-a-Finish Golden Oak. This is basically a mild stripper and I needed to repeat this before moving on to wiping any residue off.


Things were looking much better now, so it was time to apply the Howard's Orange Feed and Wax. I did this twice before reassembling the major cabinet parts. I will repeat this several times over the next few months to build up a good and lasting finish.



Following a thorough clean and greasing, the treadle mechanism is in great shape, so I'm now ready to tackle the crucial stage - the machine itself. After ninety years of accumulated grease, grime, lint and fluff to remove, moving parts to clean, re-lubricate and adjust, this will likely be a lengthy and fiddly job. It is the most important though - after all, Gail wanted a working machine, not just a piece of furniture.

You can click on the photographs to enlarge. Okay, I'm now off to the auto parts store. I'll let you know why in the next post.

The Singer, not the song

As mention in the previous post, I regret not taking a "before" photograph. I shall, from now on, take a few for the records. These photos are after taking the actual machine out of the table and spending some time removing the grime, oil and dust accumulated over many years.

After brushing, I used Murphy's Oil Soap on the table and most of the wood. The drawers (not shown) and their runners looked to have been treated with some type of shellac many years ago. They cleaned up reasonably well so I decided not to strip this off.

The effects of the oil soap with copious amounts of "elbow grease" made a remarkable difference.

Although I'm currently concentrating on the table and the treadle mechanism, I did take some tentative steps on the cleaning and de-greasing of the actual machine. Using Formula 409 I gently cleaned the steel cover plates and then, even more gently, tried the main body taking extra care over the decals. I am pleased that these seem to be in good condition under the layers of grime, although more work on this is required after I finish off the woodwork.

My first research into the date of manufacture was incorrect. I have now discovered that serial number G8824661 was manufactured c1922. Still, it's getting on for 90 years old and is a credit to American manufacturing. After all, the Singer sewing machine was very likely the first " home appliance."

At last, another post

I've just realized it's over a month since my last post. It's not that nothing has happened worthy of posting, indeed just the opposite.

With colder nights, including some which resulted in early frosts, our thoughts have been with those who have no homes. Gail and I have gradually become more aware of our good fortune in having a roof over our heads and food in the pantry, something which many do not have. This can be for a multitude of reasons, which, to be fair, many of us cannot (or do not want to try) to understand.

I've started a new project. Gail was given a Singer treadle sewing machine, a model similar to the one she learned to sew on by her mother. She has been hankering after one of these for some time, not only as a "piece of furniture" but for a more practical reason - she has never really got on with electric sewing machines. We had looked at previously "restored" models for which the sellers were asking ridiculous prices as well as wrecks which would be beyond my capabilities of restoring. This one, built in 1910, is a little beauty, it's just in need of some TLC. I spent ages on the Internet researching the practicalities of restoring it before coming to the conclusion that, "Hey! I can do that". It will not look like new (I've watched too many "Antiques Roadshows" to fall for that), but will, I hope, look like it has been well used in it's nearly hundred years, but also lovingly cared for. Long story short (that's a first for me) - I'm hooked! I have, however, made a huge mistake - that is I didn't take a "before" photograph. As it is now all in pieces, it's a mistake I regret, but I'm going to have to live with. At least we can remember what it looked like.

I appreciate that blogs can only be of interest if (a) they have something interesting to say; and (b) they are updated regularly. I cannot help it if the former is not to every one's taste, but I'm going to make more effort to make sure that latter happens. There - it's in writing.

And for the record - Gail's Doll House is still "work in progress" (albeit slowly).

Decisions, decisions - part 3

Decisions are made virtually every second of our lives. Even when we sleep, decisions are made which effect our lives.

Without doubt my biggest and best decision was made in 1968. I spent lots of time at the home of my best friend. My best friend had two sisters, one spoken for, one not. A gradual friendship evolved and on one magical evening I asked the wonderful one for a date.

Those who know Gail also know that subtlety is not one of her strong points. What I'm saying is that she didn't play "hard to get". I cannot speak for her, but I knew, on that first date that I would be spending the rest of my life with her. A cliche? Maybe, but that's how I felt. My family immediately fell in love with her too.

The aforementioned decision was made at The Buck Inn in Flixton, Suffolk, which was owned and run by a famous radio and TV star, Alan Breeze. We talked and just decided to get married, no formal proposal was made. We both knew it was right.

On November 15, 1969 we celebrated Holy Matrimony, at St. Mary's RC Church, Norfolk, England.

Some decisions we make turn out to be the wrong ones. Forty years after this that evening at The Buck, we still both know this one was right.

On November 15, 2009, we will celebrate with friends at St. Joseph's Episcopal Church, in the USA.

An empty feeling

Uncle Stuart, Caitlin, Granddad and Nan (wearing the beautiful earrings Caitlin made for her)

Caitlin is now home in England. What an emotional day it was yesterday. No sooner had her 767 taken off and we were missing her. Those 26 days flew by nearly as fast as the aircraft taking her home.

She really is a great kid - yes, I know, all grandparents would say the same - but this 14-year-old really impressed everyone she met.

I think she has taken home a touch of The South. On asking what she would miss the most (hoping she was going to say, "why you and Nan of course"), she replied as quick as a flash "Bojangles Chicken Biscuits"! She had asked to have her last lunch here at the aforesaid Bojangles.

Caitlin enjoying her last taste of The South (for the time being)

Come back soon Caitlin (and Asha, Josie, Arwen, Sarah and Billy), we ALL miss you!

DC reflections

Our weekend in Washington DC was great. It was everything we expected and much, much more. Two things struck me. Firstly was how "walkable" this city is; secondly was my impression that it is, generally, a friendly city.

The front desk staff at our hotel were exceptionally helpful and courteous; our sedan driver was remarkably cheerful at 6:30 a.m., the Union Station security guy who personally showed us where to get breakfast, the Gray Line office guy who talked me through Union Station to find our departure point, and the "Wonderful Wayne" our driver/tour guide with his even more wonderful West Indian accent.

I urge the many Americans who have never visited their nation's capital to do so. If, like me, you have any sense of history, a visit to the Capitol alone is worth the trip. A moving experience indeed.

We will be visiting again for sure. I feel as if I could spend a couple of weeks at the Smithsonian, alone.

After an exhausting schedule, I asked Caitlin, our 14-year old granddaughter what impressed her the most. The Museum of American History? the Capitol building? the White House? No, her answer was the National World War II Memorial. Is it not surprising that an English teenager should, in 2010, find this memorial to Americans who sacrificed their lives for freedom over sixty years ago moving? I think so and am even more proud of her than ever.

The Washington Monument, from the National WWII Memorial

Rosslyn, VA, by night

Gail and Mick at The Capitol

Caitlin, enjoying the view

Lincoln, takes a peak

What a wonderful building

Gail and Mick at the Reflecting Pool. The Lincoln Memorial in the background

Ford's Theater, where Abraham Lincoln was shot

Caitlin and Gail take a look at The White House

The National World War II Memorial

Many (many) more photos on my Shutterfly page: http://norfolkboyinnc.shutterfly.com

Hooked on P.D.

Anyone who looks to the left of my home page and sees what I'm reading or listening to, cannot help but be aware that I love mysteries.

At the suggestion of a dear friend, I recently read my first novel by P.D. James, Death in Holy Orders, and was instantly hooked. How I had never sampled her work before is beyond me. I have not even seen the Anglia TV adaptations of her novels

Her use of the English language is a delight. One review I read on Goodreads.com complains that she uses words that have to be checked in the dictionary. Good for her, I say. Why should anyone complain of using good English? I'm not learned in my own written (or spoken) tongue, but I do appreciate the language being used correctly.

There, no posts for over a month, and now, two together.