When I was little, we had one car: an early 70's Volvo station wagon in a bright, strange Turquoise color. (I believe the turquoise was on sale, and that was why my parents bought it.)
And we drove that car into the ground. It took us everywhere... trips up to Maine...Upstate NY, and out to the Cape to walk on the beach in winter. It had no tape deck. Just a radio with little buttons you could use to save a particular station. And the engine made a very specific noise so I always knew when my parents were coming back home up the hill.
I used to accompany my mom on all sorts of errands, and I remember some of her accoutrements...a battered brown leather purse...a few time-tested accessories inside; a nail file, a little pair of scissors, a Parker roller-ball pen my dad had bought for her.
I guess I've always been fascinated by the story objects tell about a person...about a family...about an upbringing. I found these few keychains to post here-- they're not the most jazzy, or the most ostentatious. But they are the things memories are made out of. The color of old, good leather, the sound of Mom's keys..the ever-absorbing detail on a little wood carving. Micky Mouse, swinging back and forth from the ignition, as you ramble on to your next new destination.
Owl Keychain > Here
Equestrian Leather Keyfobs (my pick...you can hook them to your bag, and they last forever) > Here
Tassel Keyfob > Here
Mickey Keychain > Here
Classic Sterling Horseshoe > Here
Find your own childhood car > Here
I love this post. I'm all about the cozy familiar, the things we remember from our youth that can still comfort us in unexpected ways.
Posted by: Helen | Apr 06, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Thank you Helen! (I was pretty proud of it, myself!)
I am too... I spend a lot of time, lately, pondering where my asthetic came from... and I'm beginning to think those early memories are very responsible.
I'm really happy you liked this post. I enjoyed writing it.
Posted by: Susy | Apr 06, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Oh, this is so lovely Sus.....yes, all the car trips and errands and wistful thoughts as we stared out the car window as the world went by. *sigh*
xo
Melis
Posted by: Melissa Brown | Apr 06, 2009 at 11:38 AM
I love that car. Our family cars switched up a lot because they were always breaking down on us, but as kids we didn't mind because it was surprise to see what was next! My poor parents!
Posted by: Kate | Apr 06, 2009 at 11:49 AM
I do remember staring out the window a lot, Melissa! Perhaps that's why we're all so visual, today.
Kate- I know! Ours were always like one step from totally crapping out. It's a miracle we made it anywhere! Some of our later, used cars live in infamy in my family, they were such crapmobiles. There's one that we call 'The Kmart Scrambler' haha.
Posted by: Susy | Apr 06, 2009 at 01:17 PM
i would like nothing more than to have that car! if i had all the money in the world, i wouldn't buy a fancy new car - i'd buy an old volvo. i just love them. my family had one we drove everywhere when i was young as well... i'm so sad we got rid of it. i also love your blog.
Posted by: Mallory | Apr 06, 2009 at 01:27 PM
My dream car is kinda funny. I love old bronco convertibles! every since I saw the movie Empire Records I've wanted one.I think it would be fun to convert it to biodiesel kitchen grease =) hmmmm...
I might have to post a picture of my dream car on my blog now...
Posted by: Kate | Apr 06, 2009 at 02:11 PM
This is such a great post! Totally brings back memories of my mom's old black car. It was big and ugly, bu tit got us everywhere we needed to go!
Posted by: Brittany Noel | Apr 06, 2009 at 04:25 PM
man you just made me miss my dad's olivde green pontiac..but lady you are totally missing akeychain up there..ahem!
Posted by: bonbon oiseau | Apr 06, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Daaaaang, you're right. Oh no! Your keychains are seriously the best- and they are just what I was looking for...but I forgot you make fobs...as well as all that amazing jewelry. Durrrrh. I can't believe I spaced on that!
Posted by: Susy | Apr 08, 2009 at 05:22 PM
suzy: what a fun post! Our family had an old late 60's model Peugeot station wagon. It's one of those things that most certainly set the standard for me as I developed my own taste for design. Thanks for conjuring up that old memory this morning.
Love your blog.
Posted by: Molly Irwin | Apr 15, 2009 at 10:26 AM
aww..you're so cute--i was just kidding!
Posted by: bonbon oiseau | Apr 15, 2009 at 04:37 PM