so far today I have not set anything on fire, but there is yet time

[pensnest]

Seen this little set of questions going around, and they seem like fun, so.

1. What is the oldest thing you own?

This is quite the puzzler. I don't think I own anything really old… perhaps the oldest thing is the chest of drawers which I got when my Grandma died. It's not antique, but I think it is of the generation of furniture which was available just after WW2, when everything was rationed—utility furniture. However, I have not been able to find an online image of anything quite like it. It's quite tall, five drawers, stands on legs about 9" high and rises to somewhere between my navel and my chest. Pale wood colour, though I think it's veneered and made from something really cheap. I like it. It is simple in design, though a bit tatty, plus of course it reminds me of my Grandma.

I have quite a few things that are not much younger than I am, including a Chinese dinner service decorated with fish, but nothing that I'd really classify as 'old', not since we got rid of the wooden dining table that came from Beast's Belgian grandparents and may have been classifiable as antique. There was also a handsome hand-operated sewing machine, certainly pre-war, but I got rid of that when we moved house.

2. What is the oldest home you've lived in?

The current house, which is just over 100 years old. Or, in my third year at college I lived in Old Hall, which was built in 1875. My room had a rectangular window and an oval window.

3. What is the oldest book you've read?

Huh? The Bible? Which is probably the oldest physical book in the house, as it was given to me when I was christened. I dunno…. The oldest text I've read (and I'll exclude the KJV because I have not read it all) is probably the Chanson de Roland, of which I can recall only one phrase, paiens unt tort e Chrestiens unt dreit. A Useful Pronouncement, no doubt. Still, I think this question needs better definition!

4. What is the oldest electronic device that you still use?

The elderly laptop is probably ten years old, and gets used for Zoom meetings because it is the only computer in the house with a camera.

Of other devices powered by electricity, because again, from the answers I have read, I suspect this question needs more definition, I nominate our microwave, which we bought in the year we were married, 1983. Still going sturdily.

5. What is the oldest work of art/architecture that you've ever seen?

Stonehenge. When I was a child, we could walk among the stones and touch them, but that is no longer possible.

Comments

[wenchpixie]

It sounds like the house may be one of your oldest things?

There are a lot of questions raised by this meme's questions...

[pensnest]

It sounds like the house may be one of your oldest things?

This is true, I just decided it was exempt from the category of 'things' by virtue of being asked about elsewhere. Meme needed a better beta!

[frausorge]

Stonehenge was amazing to see. At the time I went there, visitors were already kept at a safe distance, but even looking at it from the path was so awe-inspiring.

[pensnest]

I grew up in Wiltshire so visited it quite often as a child, and when I've been since (eg with Camp Sparkle) I always expect it to be smaller or somehow less mighty than it actually is. Amazing place.

[brandywine28]

I agree, three is kind of a weird question. Define "book", please!

Aaaahh, Stonehenge is still on my list. I'll get there. One of these days. If we're ever allowed to travel again. *sobs*

[pensnest]

Meme needed a bit more thought - as is often the case with these things! I suppose it leaves us free to define the 'book' for ourselves.

Stonehenge is definitely worth a visit, and in the vicinity there is also Avebury Ring, impressive in the same kind of prehistoric way.

[turlough]

I think the oldest thing I own is the set of china I inherited from my greatgrandmother. She originally got it from an elderly neighbour and from what I can gather of the shape and size of the marks underneath it was produced sometime around 1900. And the house I live in was built in 1950 so it's at least older than me :-)

Stonehenge is magnificent! Though I think I actually enjoyed our visit to Avebury more. Being allowed to wander around the stones and earthworks made it feel much more real. The same with the West Kennet Barrow.

[pensnest]

Iwish, in retrospect, that I had also gone to Avebury back then. I had been, as a child, because we spent so much of my childhood in Wiltshire. I do think that being able to get up close to the stones is an important part of the experience, though I can understand why people are not allowed into the centre of Stonehenge any longer.

[ephemera]

I have a chest of drawers that once belonged to my great aunts which is of a similar vintage - dark wood veneer, though. It's a good, solid piece, and it has good memories attached.

[pensnest]

A thing doesn't need to be economically valuable to have value.

I like the goldenrod growing in my front garden because it reminds me of Grandma. And planted some Japanese anemones recently for the same reason.

[rikes]

How cool that you had the chance to actually walk around Stonehenge! I mean, I also very much understand why you can't do that anymore, but still.

And I'm so happy that we went there at Camp - both because it's genuinely so impressive, and because we had so much fun together. ♥