Magnetic telescopic pin pick up with light
When I first worked in Balliol Library the staff were all very singular and unlike almost almost else I’d ever met anywhere other than in Oxford (Oxford can do this to people; Cambridge can too). An ancient but sprightly and very sweet bird like woman used to pop up from time to time to photograph the ancient manuscripts, early printed books and incunabula (early printed books, printed before 1501 using moveable type). She regularly drove over to Oxford from her home in Suffolk and stayed in B&Bs in Oxford thus eroding considerably anything she might be earning from he photography/digitizing activities. I thought she might like to come and stay at the vicarage – if she didn’t mind a half hour drive there and back in the day – and soon it became quite a regular thing. Sometimes she came with her architect husband and dog Sophie and occasionally a son came to help out.
Magnetic telescopic pin pick up with light (partly extended)
Our first journey out of Oxford was not without its high points. All roads south were log jammed, there was a terrific storm and the short cut I opted for (taken regularly by my daily bus) had us quite literally bouncing off an unseen bollard – fortunately car (also pretty ancient) and bollard were ok but I arrived home thinking she’d never want to come and stay with us again. Gretchen was quite unfazed.
Magnetic telescopic pin pick up with light
Gretchen was very small with curly still dark hair, while I am tall with prematurely nearly completely white hair. We shared a birthday and regarded ourselves as twins for although we looked very different we had many similar interests. Several times the three of us spent the entire evening singing hymns as we tried to decide which were our favourites. At other times we would drive round the village pointing out impressive buildings – mainly barns – and say we must do this when Tony was with us. Gretchen would trot off to bed at 9.30 to be ready for a full day’s work the next day. She was already 80 when I first met her but for reasonsI never quite fathomed had to keep working.
Magnetic telescopic pin pick up with light: close up
Eighteen months ago her husband suffered a stroke and for months she visited him in hospital almost daily, very often driving herself. Meanwhile she knew that she herself was ill and it was only when she collapsed some 9 months after her husband’s stroke that everybody else realised how ill she was. Touchingly, the hospital where her husband was being rehabilitated immediately put him in a taxi to be with her. Just as heartwarming, not long after a nursing home was found for the two of them so they could be together. Visitors would often find them sitting holding hands looking utterly content. Gretchen died first; Tony lasted just few months more.
If the truth be known, Gretchen probably spent more money coming to stay with us than she would have done in a B&B as she always came loaded with bottles of wine, speciality cheeses, delicious puddings and interesting books. She also very helpfully digitized the vicar’s MA and M.Litt theses.
All this is the preamble to saying that one of the things she brought me was this marvellous little gadget. I’m not usually one for special implements but pin dropping is one of my great weaknesses and the wonder is that none of my children – or cats – …. well I can’t tempt fate and say anything further. Gretchen knew it would be not just useful but essential and whereas I can lose pencils and pens at the drop of a hat, I somehow manage to always have my pin pick up to hand.
If you don’t have one, get one immediately – but make sure you get the one with the light.
Details: 33 inches when extended; 8 lb magnet lifting force.
Cost about £10 (Try not to get it from one of those gargantuan firms that shall be nameless – you know the one that pays little corporation tax and wants to take over the world.)
Ever time I use mine I think of Gretchen – which is rather nice. I can’t think of any gift I have ever given that would cause me to be remembered in the using of it. What about you?
14 Comments
what a lovely post, i so enjoyed reading about your friendship. i didn’t think i would at when i saw the photograph of a “torch”, how could anyone find anything to say about that ? but you did and it was a lovely, touching tribute to Gretchen.
i do have the basic version of a thin penlight but the one you have looks really useful.
i too drop not so much pins as tiny quilters needles and as i have 3, soon to be 4 tiny granddaughters as visitors, i have to search until i find.
susan
Thank you for your comment on this post Susan.
The terrible thing is that I think I worry more about dropping pins and needles now with a grandson than I ever did when my own children were little.
I loved reading this. How lucky you were to have stumbled in to such a wonderful friendship. Thank you for sharing your memories of Gretchen and her generosity.
I know that there are some recipes of mine which have been well received, some plants which have flourished but the most successful gift of all was a small, handmade felt dog which became a best friend for a little girl.
Incidentally, if you have some spare time in London do pop in and see the Magna Carta embroidery in the British Library. It is in the entrance area so there is no charge and is a very impressive collaborative piece.
What a kind and interesting comment, Alice – how encouraging is it that it is something you made which became such a successful gift.
My bus passes by the British Library every time I go to see my eldest daughter so I shall nip in and have a look at the Magna Carta embroidery. Thank you for telling me about it, I haven’t heard mention of it elsewhere – yes I have, I’ve just realised it’s a piece of work many were asked to contribute to & Jeremy Paxman thought it was extraordinary that he should be asked to add to … in embroidery.
What a wonderful tribute to Gretchen and her husband, and a very useful-sounding gadget, as well!
Glad you enjoyed this Rachel.
I can only echo all the comments on your poignantly touching tribute to Gretchen, Mary, and have committed to enduring memory your beautiful pen portrait of a devoted couple holding hands contentedly in their last hours together on earth. One is forever hopeful of experiencing such an ending for oneself and one’s partner as well as perhaps leaving behind indelible impressions of oneself for friends and family to enjoy for a while.
Thank you Penny.
Friends like Gretchen are so precious and also (very occasionally) are those gadgets that you never even knew existed but which you wouldn’t be without! Thanks very much for a lovely post. Bx xxx
Right on both counts, Becky. If a gadget ends up in a drawer it’s hopeless – true of friends too!
Gorgeous story of an unexpected friendship with so many striking images; the drive home in the storm, the three of you lustily singing hymns, Gretchen and her husband holding hands quietly together, and all written in your gentle style. You write so well Mary. I think too that the story points up the much maligned nhs in a good light, ensuring that Gretchen and Tony were able to spend time together when it mattered.
Very kind of you to say so Penny. I agree with you about the NHS and feel it is important to emphasise those times they get things right – and even well beyond expectations – which was brought about by any number of different individuals working together in Gretchen and Tony’s case. It helped their family immeasurably that they were happily together for their last few months. Gretchen’s death was as gentle and calm as she was.
How very moving your words are today Mary. Gretchen sounds like a very lovely lady with a unique view on life – I know I would have liked her too. Such wonders she must have seen whilst digitising all those treasures. Being able to spend her final days so close to the love of her life so calm and content – just how it is meant to be.
Now the tool looks like just what I need! Is there one for pencils and pens too as I find mine all seem to grow little feet and run off.
Have a peaceful day. Lydia
Gretchen did have lots of interest to say about the books and documents she handled – pity she never made notes or kept a diary.
I never have a pen or pencil to hand either, in spite of buying new stocks as every school year begins and the offers are so tempting.