We often go to the Edison/Ford winter estate.
I LOVE it there! I
don’t know if it’s because the preservation of the two homes reminds me of my
grandparents house (it smells just like their house did) or if I’m just a
history nerd.
The minute you step out of the car you feel like you’ve been
whisked back in time. It’s quiet and peaceful.
The property is thirty acres all of which Thomas Edison cultivated
with exotic plants. My favorites are the bamboo groves. There is one stand of bamboo
with a bench tucked discreetly amid the stalks and if you sit there on a breezy
day the bamboo makes the most amazing clacking sound in the wind!
But all that isn’t what this post is about. Not really.
Except that’s where I first saw it.
The bicycle.
In the gift shop.
It was red and diminutive and adorable. And ridiculously
more money than I thought it was worth. So, I looked at it and walked away. And
went back and looked at it some more. Then circled around it again. Husband
asked if I wanted it. I said no.
You know how they say you should buy a thing when you see it
because you might not get another chance?
Whoever said that doesn’t know me.
A year later I was still thinking about it so I called the
gift shop and asked if they still had it.
They didn’t.
I asked if it was possible to get another one. They didn’t
think so.
I asked if I could speak to the manager. She wasn’t there.
They took my number and said she’d call back.
She didn’t.
So I called again.
I ended up going to the gift shop in person and asking about
the bicycle.
(They were surprised that so many people were suddenly so interested
in the bicycle!)
After some discussion and computer searching they said they
would try and order one for me.
Several weeks went by and I was just getting ready call
again when I received a phone message that said they had just acquired two and
would like to know which one I wanted.
I raced to the gift shop. When I got there they had eight!
EIGHT delightfully diminutive red bicycles! Four girl’s bikes
and four boy’s bikes! It was all I could do not to buy them ALL!
But I controlled myself and only bought one.
I’m not sure why I wanted it so badly, except for its
cuteness factor. And I’m not sure I would love it as much if it hadn’t been
such a challenge to obtain!
But I am now the proud owner of a beautiful red model
bicycle!
It is a beautiful thing.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh.....Ahhhhhhh.....I know why you love this....Ahhhhh. (get the idea I LOVE it too). I wanted one of these when I was, younger, {{cough}} and needed a bike to get to college. When I said to my dad about one of these he dismissed the idea and said I would have to peddle more because the wheels were small - didn't believe him then and certainly wouldn't now - I think the cost was a factor personally ; So, I ended up with a conventional big wheeled bike, I still yearn for one of these. So your blogging friend across the pond can only dream aye. Enjoy your new smart beautiful red, gorgeous, bike Robin and think of me.
ReplyDeleteThat is sweet. Looks a lot like the bike I had. It was a red boy's bike. A hand-me down from my cousin. I loved that bike and the freedom, even though I wasn't allowed to turn the corner yet.
ReplyDeleteAnd, here I thought you were going to bicycle on up here and we could blaze trails together! A bobbin, though!?!?!? Maybe not.
ReplyDeleteyou had me going there! didn't they have any in pink ? :)
ReplyDeleteI love it!..... But I am known to love bicycles of all sizes (the bobbin is supper clever!)
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