My all time favorite singer/songwriter and muse - Joni Mitchell, from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I think I know all her songs by heart, but this song seems apropo for this post.
While at the antique mall Saturday night, I found a pair of ice skates and I could not resist.
Now a southerner knows about as much about ice skating as poutine. It is never cold enough for long enough to skate on frozen ponds and lakes and therefore I have never tried it (plus my imagination of falling through ice is too scary for me) and, I can't even stand upright on ice and fall when it ices the sidewalks and such.
I wish I could photograph these to show you how wonderful they are. Hand forged and carved by someone so long ago - I think they are from the early 1800's. They just took my breath away. Even the handmade rope is still there.
The nails for mending were even handmade. The thoughts of where they've been touches my heart. I'll put these out to decorate for Christmas. And below is a photo from google that I found to share.
34 comments:
I don't think I could have resisted either Donna. They are fascinating.
Dear Donna I too Love Joni's voice and music. So peaceful to listen to her music. Wow those are some skates. I can see why you couldn't resist. :)! Have a great day. Hugs!
Dear Donna I too Love Joni's voice and music. So peaceful to listen to her music. Wow those are some skates. I can see why you couldn't resist. :)! Have a great day. Hugs!
Hans Brinker LIVES!! Oh, Donna---if anything could be more interesting or precious than my dear letterbox, these are that. That curl of iron is absolutely so humbling, to think of the workmanship and sheer labor of the feat. What an exquisite bit of history---someone made those and skated the lakes, going faster than human had theretofore except on horseback. Just the icy wind in the face and the banner-whip of garments as the skaters whizzed around the lake.
Oh. My. And the wearing of those must have been quite complicated, as well, as I well remember skate straps and the little vise-channels we tightened to our leather soles with a key. Cut just a rope to strap them to boots or shoes---there must have been a method to it that's past my solving.
And the Padre-Parade is quite charming; I"ll bet they were laughing a lot. It's always nice to see a down-to-earth personality shine through the piety.
Don't you EVER let those go. The story those tell is absolutely above price.
r
What a wonderful pair of skates, the craftsmanship is exceptional.
I saw Joni Mitchell in concert in 1969 in Liverpool, she was fabulous.
~Jo
I just couldn't believe how old and handmade they were. I guess it's the next best thing to flying.
Sometimes..you just have to go with your deires:)
The heart wants what the heart wants..
What a find!!
Off to listen to Joni..
PS impressed you know "poutine":)
LOVE that song.Of course I love it.
We just usually don't see old ice skates around here and especially ones that are this old. You have a great day too.
I won't Rachel. They were loved the minute I saw them. Some of those old pictures showed them dancing and playing crack the whip. I'd have hated to have been the last one. I'd probably still be going. We do sled here some winters and they put a skating rink in downtown for the month of December. I even saw pictures of a skate chair. I would do that.
Aren't they Jo? I saw her in Houston in the seventies and she got pissed at the crowd for being too raucous - very temperamental artist, but there will never be another Joni.
It looks delicious, but have never had it. From Quebec, no?
Many singers have covered it, but I like Joni's best.
And after poutine, Tourtiere! It's almost Christmas.
Oh how perfect to use them for Christmas decorations.
Oh my. WHAT a find.
I can't get over thinking ice skates and Christmas go together though. Our Christmas is hot. Often very hot, and ice is an impossible dream.
I will put them, along with some antique children's skis by the Christmas trees.
I thought about that after your posts of spring and wondered how they do Christmas down there. Ice reminds me of ice storms so I'm not a fan, but think it would be nice to see a lake filled with skaters.
Hello Donna,
What a treasure you have in those skates. I want to touch them. They will bring endless joy.
Joannie Mitchell has a wonderful voice. Her music brings back memories.
Wishing you joy as you skate through your week. Helena
My only attempt at ice skating was a disaster. Those skates, not. I'm glad your heart still celebrates.
So nice to hear from you Helen. It has been too long. I love them.
Oh so sweet Joanne. My feet fly up on ice and I dare not even try.
Listening to Joni often brings me to tears.
I have never, ever seen skates like that! Imagine sliding around on those old 'wood blocks' over ice. Wow.
I hadn't either Bea. I wonder who used them and where. I guess they were for fun and sports, not to get places.
says the woman who has been trying to sell her stuff because she has too much. I went ice skating with my grandgirls oh half a dozen times when they were little. the last time was about three or four years ago and we went to an outdoor rink but the winter was so warm they had a hard time keeping it frozen and the end result was that I fell twice landing hard on my knees and hands. that was enough for me.
Ouch. I bet you were good at it though with your core and yoga. It is pitiful. I still have my booth open and am trying to sell most of my inventory from the antiquing days. The expensive stuff (seems like more than $20.) just sits and sits. We've got to be in a recession or else no one likes antiques anymore, just the garage sale stuff. The skates were special to me; jumped into my arms. Couldn't resist them.
Maybe I've missed it, but could you someday show some photos of your booth? Hope you're cool and FALL-y today!
r
You're right Rachel. I haven't posted a pic of booth. I'll try and remember to take one. It is so full of everything, I'm not sure it will photograph well. Wind is blowing hard and definitely cooler temps. I'm a happy camper with the weather.
Dear Donna, that is one of my favorite Joni Mitchell tunes, even if hearing it always make me cry.
I first saw her perform back when her first record was released, and she was the opening act for Ten Years After, at a concert in the Hunter College Auditorium. My friends and I saw her walking around the hallway outside the auditorium before the show.
I saw her perform again a few years later at the old Forest Hills Tennis Stadium (which was a fabulous place to hear music back then.) I remember Joni getting a bit testy when some fans were yelling out song requests. She compared their rudeness as demanding that Van Gogh paint another Starry Night. That quieted the crown down and the beautiful show continued.
Those skates are amazing! xo
I remember her saying that Frances on one of her albums, Miles Of Aisles I believe. Wow. I think it was just before she started singing Rainy Night. She definitely had an artistic temperament. The show I saw, she asked the crowd (after having someone say several times for the crowd to settle down), "so you guys want to boogie? Then we'll cut out half the show." It was in a huge stadium and I thought what a weird place to have her booked there. Oh well. There is a wonderful interview with her from a couple of years back in Canada in celebration of her life and times. Many different artists covered her songs.
The HH is a Joni Mitchell fan too. Have a great one:)
Though Joni said she never made money in the music biz, she is beloved by many. I read an article about Pharrel Williams and he said he used to listen to her all the time. That was a surprise to me.
her voice is so melodious ,straight goes deep into the heart .
great choice that goes well with your selection of skates ,
they are truly amazing
Thank you for stopping by Baili and I agree. The skates are amazing.
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