Second Post of the Day
Recently while watching All Creatures Great and Small, I had a pleasant surprise. "That's my box!" I cried aloud to Craig.
And indeed it was - in a scene in Mrs. Pumphry's home, Tristan and Mr. Carmody are looking for a loose snake, and sitting on a table in a storage room was "my box."
Handmade and authentic to the 18th century, I use it as a cash box at events.
I keep it tucked back a bit for security which is too bad - it's actually lovely and beautifully made.
In addition to money, I stash other things inside that I will need - business cards, chalk, scissors, and more.
What I didn't say earlier is that I also broke out in song when I spied that box in the show. That is something our family does when there is a box reference somewhere.
Why? Well, years ago, Mountain Mama and I sang together in the opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors, by Gian Carlo Menotti. Jessica had the lead role of Amahl, and she sang a duet with Kaspar, one of the "visitors" (the three Wise Men) who is rather eccentric and funny.
He carries a box with him that he opens and lets Amahl see all the wondrous treasures inside, all while singing about "my box."
The song is funny, it's catchy, and it has crept its way into Isenbarger Family lore.
Scroll to 2:35 to get to the part where Kaspar sings about his box to Amahl. Start at 2:09 if you want to hear about Kaspar's parrot who he also travels with; it's funny, too.
Even though I grew up with a parrot, we don't sing that part of the song. (This is Pedro who was older than me. When I was 14, "he" surprised us by laying an egg and was then known as Perdita until she passed away.)
"My box" is now packed in Leslie's trailer and is on its way to Kalamazoo. But its presence is still felt here - I have This is My Box playing on repeat in my mind!
