Maggie's Farm

We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

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Wednesday, August 21. 2013

My Dad's rocking horse


We don't have room for every single old sentimental object, Mrs. BD informs me. Furthermore, she does not want our home to "become a museum" for my family of origin. I agree with that.


So the question at hand is this: To throw out my Dad's rocking horse - or not? There is no place for it. The horse looks like it has had chemotherapy, but really it's just the result of  3 generations clinging to its mane to hold on. The ears, too.


Reminds me of Rosebud, from my Dad's favorite film.





Posted by Bird Dog in Our Essays, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 05:00 | Comments (25) | Trackbacks (0)

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Why do you have to decide right now?? Keep it for a little while, and think on it. Because emotional decisions are often a mistake, and regret is alwyas a bad feeling...
#1 Dr. Everett V. Scott (Link) on 2013-08-21 07:46 (Reply)
Seems like the 4th generation will want to ride too. Find a place for it.
#2 grant1863 on 2013-08-21 07:56 (Reply)
Give it to a children's toys charity. Find one that patches up old toys. A children's hospital or something like that could get a ton of joy to a ton of kids from something like that. Great legacy for a loved toy.
#3 Gus on 2013-08-21 08:08 (Reply)
Keep it. Your grandchildren and great-grandchildren will appreciate your having done so.
#4 Gringo on 2013-08-21 08:13 (Reply)
Isn't there a barn or an attic up at that farm in the Berkshires?
#5 David Zincavage (Link) on 2013-08-21 08:31 (Reply)
If it makes you feel good keep it.
As you already know, life is short.
#6 New Yorker on 2013-08-21 08:51 (Reply)
"throw out"??!! Maybe - hold on to it for a bit so you can make a considered decision. Rocking horses are collectible - give several antiques dealers a call to see what might be worth selling.

I like the idea of repairing it and waiting for the 4th generation.
#7 Old Salt on 2013-08-21 09:03 (Reply)
Call the American Pickers guys. They've bought old rocking horses before.
#8 DrTorch on 2013-08-21 09:07 (Reply)
Or you could take it to the pawn stars. Rick Harrison could call in an expert to evaluate it and if he could get it for the right price he would love to have it in his shop...

Seriously tho, Try to keep it for future generations.
#8.1 Bodie on 2013-08-21 11:47 (Reply)
Saw one just like it on Antiques Roadshow.Worth a few bucks but I'd keep it.
#9 Willy Ruffian on 2013-08-21 09:09 (Reply)
Maybe somewhere you have a reader who would love to restore this treasure, use it for their children, then loan it back for your grandchildren.
#10 raincityjazz on 2013-08-21 10:42 (Reply)
My father-in-law crafted a hobby horse almost identical to this...originally a fully realized work of art, and it now looks about the same as this one for the same reasons. It is sitting somewhere in storage, in need of repair, the previous riders are now in their thirties.
Same dilemma.
#11 xMark on 2013-08-21 11:19 (Reply)
The horse was made in Leominster Massachusetts by the Whitney Reed Furniture Company in the 20's or 30's.
#12 MissyW on 2013-08-21 11:33 (Reply)
Find a way to keep it. Future generations will thank you.
My Mom as a few items from her Grandmother that she treasurers to this day.
#13 Mark M. on 2013-08-21 11:33 (Reply)
If you know anyone with a sailboat or a ship you could offer it as a figurehead. A few storms and a lot of sea behind it and it would look haughty.
#14 Kelvin L on 2013-08-21 12:17 (Reply)
Might want to talk to your children- they might want some of these things now to remember their grandparents and to save for the family or their own future families.
#15 J.C. Loophole on 2013-08-21 12:26 (Reply)
Reply to all:

Ok, it stays. But where?
#16 Bird Dog on 2013-08-21 13:49 (Reply)
If you have a "guest bedroom" or some such room, it might make a nice piece.

But, I guess the real question is do you have the luxury of such room?
#16.1 Charles on 2013-08-21 13:56 (Reply)
No basement, no attic, no direct sunlight.
#16.2 MissyW on 2013-08-21 19:51 (Reply)
I had a friend hose father mounted an antique carousel horse on the brick wall in which a fireplace was set (the room was very tall ceilinged and the horse was no way full sized). There are always decor options other than having it take up floor space.
#17 BlogDog on 2013-08-21 13:55 (Reply)
Hooray for keeping Rosebud the horse! A good coat of sealant and he can go almost anywhere; as a towel holder in a bathroom, hidden among some plants on a porch. At the foot of a bed draped with an extra blanket.

I can't get the image of the carousel horses from "Mary Poppins" out of my head. Is he by chance related?
#18 ama on 2013-08-21 14:26 (Reply)
OK, now that you are keeping the horse with no additional concern beyond where, what do we need to say to get you to keep those reindeer? You must keep the reindeer. It would be heartless not to. Surely they can fit with your other Christmas decorations?
#19 Knucklehead (Link) on 2013-08-21 16:02 (Reply)
Don't throw it out! If you look hard enough you will find a place for it somewhere. You'll regret throwing out in time.
#20 DocCarter on 2013-08-21 19:58 (Reply)
Keep her for sure. I like the idea of using her as a blanket holder at the end of the bed, maybe you have an old quilt to drape over. If you fix her up a little-not too much-maybe the entryway would be nice. I have a few toys that belonged to my aging father when he was very small and I will keep them forever. I bring them out at Christmas and put them under the tree. Your little horse would look nice by the tree at Christmas, or maybe by the fireplace with a big red bow around her neck and a nice new plaid blanket.
#21 dianainsa on 2013-08-21 20:58 (Reply)
I've always wanted to restore one of those. I can't imagine where you'll keep it; I only know I couldn't possibly let it go. I wish I had even one of my father's childhood toys.
#22 Texan99 on 2013-08-22 11:02 (Reply)

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