 |
| From In the Garden |
Who remembers Montgomery Ward? It used to be one of the two dream stores for thousands, if not millions, of people a few decades ago. The other half of the dream store pair was of course that venerable old standby we still know as Sears. My 'new' bike gracing my garden came from Montgomery Ward. It was a dream for one eightish year old boy from Maine back in 1953 or 1954. Takes you back huh? This little boy's Uncle Walter purchased the bike for him from Montgomery Ward before the little boy even knew how to ride a bike. Can you just imagine being eight and learning to ride a big bike like this?
The little boy is now, ahem, sixty something years old and is my mother's husband. His name is David and he still lives in Maine. In spite of traveling the world as a Navy man many decades ago, even having served in the Old Guard, David still lives in his hometown in Maine. Actually, he and my mother live just across a field from where David grew up. The uncle who so kindly made a little boy's dream come true is gone now, but the memories of this first bike remain with the boy. That is why my 'new' bike for my garden is all the more special.
How did I come upon this treasure you might ask? Well, I have a surprise saved for next Friday's post explaining it a bit but let us just say my oldest daughter Christine moved this bike and another down here from Maine during her recent move from Maine into her new home. The two bikes were very dissimilar though I liked them both. When I saw David's bike, not knowing it was his bike, I said "Wow! I am not dismantling that one it is going directly in the garden." That is when my daughter said, "Papa will be most happy because it was his bike." That comment sealed the deal and enter one special bike for Tiger Gardens. I had been hoping to find just such a special bike and the fact it came from family makes it even more so. While it took me a few weeks to find the perfect spot for my new/old bike I love it here. It sure takes me back to those dream days when the Montgomery Ward and Sears catalogs were the best darn reading....
in the garden....
Many thanks to my family and a special thanks to David for parting with two of their bicycles! This parting may be a bit tough for Pack Rat Mimi but I can assure you all in Maine that the bikes are in good hands and will live on in the garden.
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,
In the Garden
