Yes that’s my super duper snow gauge aka yardstick stuck in there. There was a time when stores appreciated your business and would give away handy dandy freebies like that. Those days are long gone, at least around here. And that ancient snow gauge shows that there is 18” of snow in my backyard. Arrrgh!!!!
Anyhow, the spring I’m talking about is in here,
This old clock has 3 springs that need to be wound with a key every seven days. One for the hour chime, one for the pendulum and one for the quarter chime. It’s the quarter chime that is sprung. Instead of the seven day windup, this spring has to be wound up every 2 days if I want to hear the chime on the quarter hour. Which is no big thing, because the clock still works fine without the quarter hour chime. Until recently that is.
Now there’s another problem. The pendulum stops, which means everything stops. Glancing at the clock while walking by I’m startled to see it’s only 3:00 when it’s pitch black outside. And I know it’s not 3:00 a.m., because rarely am I walking around downstairs at that time of the morning. Okay, sometimes, but usually when I’m awake at that ungodly hour, I stay in bed and toss and turn, while mumbling and complaining for a few hours instead of just getting up and doing some work around here like cleaning the darn house. (Yeah, that’s gonna happen.)
But back to the clock. Opening the door I reset the hands and give the pendulum a little nudge and we’re back in business. Next day, same thing. This time when I go to reset the hands I see that the minute hand has fallen off and is now lying down on the base. Hmmmm?? Re-attach the hand, reset the time, nudge the pendulum (maybe a little harder this time). Okay. Couple of days later, same scenario. Stupid clock.
But then I thought about that old clock. I’ve had it for a long time. So what if it’s getting a little worn out, so am I. What does it matter if it doesn’t work as well as it used to, I don't either. So a hand falls off once in a while, whoops, no that hasn’t happened to me but sometimes they don’t work quite as smoothly as they used to. For all of it’s age, it’s still a nice looking old thing, as am I. (Hey, beauty is in the eye/mind of the beholder, and I’m the only beholder in my house and the fact that I have all my mirrors covered with sheets means nothing)
I do wish I had a key to wind myself up every couple of days though, because I think my spring has sprung too.
22 comments:
As usual, you make me laugh! By the way, beautiful clock.
Fldragon, if I thought I could get up off the floor, I would post a photo of me in our empty dog bed! Instead, just imagine someone whose spring has sprung wallowing around on the floor trying to get up!
By the way, Harriet has taken up with the carpenter's sons and is making goo goo eyes at them as we speak - fickle dog!
Flydragon, that's it! My spring must have sprung when I wasn't looking. :} Glad to know you only need winding. I've got lots of old keys here somewhere-you could try them.
Hope your snow doesn't last too much longer and that spring will spring!
You had me going with your title, Flydragon!
I love grandfather clocks; even if yours doesn't work, it's still a beautiful piece. You might check into someone who does clock repair, although they're not always easy to find.
If you find a key that works on humans, let me know--I lost my spring a long time ago:)
Hi to Beckie--how come we're both on here instead of cleaning house??
Are you sitting Shiva for your clock? Is that why the mirrors are covered? Just wondering. We're in the middle of a heat wave here with a temp of 30 degrees. Tomorrow, I'm going to lay out in the sun. Expected high is 38. Yippee!!!!
Mildred,
Ha, I would like to see that photo of you in or at least somewhere close to that bed:))
Harriet has a new love???? Oh no! Sobbing uncontrolably.
beckie,
I think I was looking when mine went kaput, but just didn't realize what was happening until it was too late:) Tried all the keys, nothing worked.
Rose,
Thought my title was a little good news didn't you? Nope.
Still looking for the right key. Will let you know if I find it:)
Rudee,
Not sitting Shiva for the clock, but also not shaving, not wearing my shoes and not taking a bath just for various reasons:) But I do know why the mirrors are covered.
Heat wave!! Send it down!!
Oh, this post is too funny! Don't worry about the clock...even a stopped clock is right twice a day, eh? Which is more than I can say for the climatologists...uh, weather people. You are a hoot!
You had me a little excited for you..then I saw all that freaking snow. Lucky you! That is a beautiful old clock! Too bad it is all rung/sprung out. Let me know if you run into that spring you were talking about..I could use some too:)
Nice to know that you do have a spring in your step.
Our battery operated clock ran down the other day. I was wondering why I was getting so much work done, in such a short time. Now I know.
Jen
Hello there! I found you from Wishnik Woods. I like your entry about the clock and the Spring and your use of words to surprise us! That's a lot of snow and the clock reminds me of ours. We just let it sit in the livingroom now and don't wind it..I still love looking at it and it looks a lot like yours! Anyways, hello from Seattle, Washington...Maria
That is a beautiful clock. Want me to come and pick it up and take it in to the clock repairman? He just lives down the street from me, seriously, he fixed a clock for me once (took him till the end of time, but it got fixed). Maybe you just need an oil change instead of a new spring. ;~)
you definitely are one good looking old thing.
guess i'll scratch that old clock off my wishlist.
you're a keeper though.
My Gramma had a clock like this. I always found it fascinating.
It's a lovely old clock. Even if it doesn't work it's still beautiful.
I'd love to have some snow like yours and your old clock is wonderful - and right some of the time!
My spring has definately sprung today, but I don't think winding me up will do the job. I think a days hibernation is what's required. Thanks for a great blog!
Betty,
You're right. It is correct twice a day, which is what I'm shooting for myself:)
Farside,
Lucky, lucky me. I think you probably have more than we do, so lucky you too!! And from the way you sound, you have more than enough spring:))
Jen,
Ha, funny how much work can get done in such a short period of time when the battery dies, or the pendulum stops:)
Not so sure about that spring in my step though.
Hi Maria from Seattle,
Half of the time I forget to wind the clock and don't even notice that it's not chiming. I like looking at it also.
You have some great photography over on your blog. Love the header picture you have.
TC,
Yes!! Come pick it up, get it fixed, than deliver it back. Also pay for the work of course.
Tried the oil change, didn't work either.
NVAM,
Keep it on your list. It can just stand in the corner, look good, not make any noise, and only requires a dusting every now and again. Pretty much like I'll be when I come to stay.
And you just moved up a notch.
Troutbirder,
What a coincidence. My grandkids also have a grandma with a clock like this:)
Oldcrow,
I do like it even if it's old and tired and a little worn out just like someone I'm very familiar with.
Hi Nutty,
I agree that a day of hibernation can work just as well as a wind up to get that spring working again:)
But I'm pretty sure you don't really want snow like mine!! I know I don't.
i hope the spring wont get rust... otherwise, it will be more difficult for the keys!!! lol!
send out the snow in here... it will be gone in 2 minutes.
Kali,
I'm pretty sure my spring is totally rusted out by now:)
Yeah - you've seen it ......we've got snow - at last!!!
It's still coming down and I'm inside in the warmth with my family, a glass of wine and a fire - how much better can it get?
Is the clock off balance? Remembered when you said if it didn't sit level it wouldn't work. Think twice before you take it to a clock fixer, I paid almost as much for him to fix my mantle clock as it cost. I think the spring has sprung for everyone I know. COME ON SPRING Middle sis
Hey Nutty,
I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures tomorrow,too!!
Betty,
No plans to get it fixed. I like it working or not, doesn't matter. I remember you telling me when you got your's fixed and how much it cost.
I love your humor...you always make me laugh! Your blog is good for the soul!
Spooky,
A chuckle a day keeps the doldrums away. At least for a little while:)
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