One of the things on my wish list for a long time has been a vintage Underwood Typewriter, dating from somewhere in-between 1900-1920. I had a specific design and image in mind. And the price, too. (I was aiming for low, like $20 low.) I know that for a working Underwood Typewriter that is virtually impossible. But who wants a nicely fixed, completely redone, working typewriter from 1912, with no dust on it, anyway? What I wanted was an Underwood that has been sitting in someone's basement for the past 60 years (longing to be re-descovered), that has enough dust on it that would inevitably cause you to cough and sneeze for about 15 minutes, that has rust which will have you pulling your vinegar out, and some pieces missing and broken. But, will also have in it the potential of working again, if you put some expert care into it.
And that is exactly what I found. I scoured the ebay forever, lost several bids which went over $19.99 (I was strict with myself about that), got disappointed so many times... but finally I scored!
And here is our dandy Underwood fellow...
Dating, I think, from somewhere between 1900-1915, it was sitting in someone's family basement since the 50s when they remember playing on it. There was a lot of dust on it, a bit of rust, too, the keys work, the roller rolls, there is ribbon in it, and we managed to write a letter T with it. The roller doesn't move though when you press the keys. I'm sure we could have it fixed, and perhaps we will eventually, but for now I'm just so thrilled to have this beauty. I vacuumed it and cleaned it as best I could, and now it sits proudly in our living room...
I just love the way it looks there. It gives that special atmosphere of a writer's study from the 20s and 30s. When you could hear the typewriter keys clicking away, and there would be a writer sitting there, fully concentrated, a cigarette hanging from his mouth, sporting a fedora. A bottle of scotch on the side of the table a must. And, how about a foxy lady sitting cross-legged on the edge of that table? Ruining his concentration. Why, of course!
I know I'm overdoing with the photos, but here's more...
You will forgive my excitement, won't you. :)
On another, more flowery note...
I've been oohing and aahing over these bougainvilleas in our neighborhood...
Can you imagine walking under this green-red cloud every day?
So wonderful.
I've been following the blooming stages of one particular bougainvillea (which I mistakenly called a fuchsia plant, btw). Here is the plant now, fully bloomed...
Love the colors!
Ah, to wake up, and come out on this balcony in the morning. Heaven. You can see its blooming stages here and here.
I guess I thought this plant was a fuchsia because of it's fuchsia color! How smart of me.
Here is the real fuchsia plant...
Adorable! It looks like a little fancy cake decoration out of a Parisian patisserie, doesn't it? I'm going a little bit flower and plant crazy this summer!
xoxoxo
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