Today, I have something that I’ve been holding on to for a while. I found this piece of vintage ephemera inside one of my grandmother’s books while rummaging through my antique trunk. I immediately fell in love and knew it was something I wanted to share with you!
What is Ephemera?
But, first – have you heard of the term ephemera? Vintage ephemera are paper items that were meant to be discarded after use (like a movie ticket or newspaper clipping), but were saved and some are collectible. I have quite a bit of vintage ephemera because my mother kept these family mementos in hopes that future generations would also treasure them! I have old report cards from the early 1900’s, old letters from my grandparents when they were courting, school photos from a one room schoolhouse, and more.
All of these family treasures are stored in the old trunk that belonged to my grandparents. And, on one rainy day a few years ago, I found this little newspaper clipping tucked inside one of the old books in the trunk. I immediately fell in love with it! And, I just had to share it with you!
A Rainy Day – by Augusta Wall
I
Somehow it always seems to me
A rainy day is good to be —
A day when there is naught to do
But rummage one’s own home-place through,
Attic to cellar –searching away
For half-lost things on a rainy day.
II
In trunks with locks covered with rust
We delve with vim in grime and dust,
Elate, when lo! we run across
Scissors or thimble — some like loss —
And letters, too, hid in old books,
Or closeted in cobwebbed nooks.
III
The old wardrobe, now dim-secluded,
Creaks its doors when’er intruded,
For it holds what grandmother wore —
The wedding-gown, gloves, ancient store —
Head-dress, mantilla, a tilting hoop-skirt —
All, with grandfather’s lace-ruffled shirt.
IV
Long have they lain there — relics of old!
Forgotten? And yet each silken fold
Once so treasured and safe put away
From prying eyes — for this rainy day!
So gently we muse and wonder how,
From rummaging on a rainy day.
V
And somehow it always seems to me
That these rainy days are good to be —
To us child-women are treasure-troves
Of vanished dreams — of olden loves
When naught there is to hinder our way
From rummaging on a rainy day.
What a lovely poem! Thanks for sharing with us. I so enjoy the words of old that aren’t used much anymore.
Oh, I LOVE this! Thank you for posting this poem and pictures. I treasure things from family, this speaks to my heart!
This beautiful post touched my heart. I treasure all the dreams, loves, and ephemera that belonged to my mother and grandmother. And it’s an awesome thought that one day my daughter and granddaughter will look back on mine. Thanks for posting.
Such a wonderful thing to share with us! Thank you!
I have so many things from my family on both sides. I was unable to have children, therefore, no grandchildren. My only sibling has passed and he did not have children. I am so afraid all these treasures will be thrown away when I die, never to be seen again. I am hoping my cousins three girls might save some of it, but they show no interest yet. The oldest is thirty and the youngest is sixteen, so hopefully they will come to value family just before it’s too late.
Blessings
I’m taking a class tomorrow on making a “Junk Journal” using all of this kind of material. It will be great to have a place to put and preserve it all.
Lovely poem! I’m going to print it and put it in the box with my wedding dress.. a surprise for someone… someday… thank you!
Doreen,
I just received a bag full of Eastern Star jewelry.
After reading your post, I am being inspired to create
something unique to showcase these religious Order relics.
Thank you for always inspiring!
Pat