Something borrowed...

When I first got the idea to create my fantasy grooming space on my porch, it occurred to me that I would need a counter or desk area for writing receipts, keeping records and a cash box. It would need to have a small footprint, because I was working with limited space. My mind went skipping happily along, thinking of possibilities. It landed on a desk I fell in love with when I was in my early 20's. It once belonged to a distant relative by way of my brother in law. An old school masters desk, it had been tucked in an upstairs bedroom of an ancient farmhouse in Boxford, Massachusetts. My mother, an antique dealer, had bought it from Winifred Parkhurst. I loved the thing, it appealed to me in a very Little House on the Prairie kind of way. My oldest sister also saw the appeal and either my mother gave it to her or she bought it. I could see it on my porch. It would be perfect. I called my poor sister right up. I explained my plan, and she agreed to let me borrow it. Last weekend my daughter brought it to Maine, and today I gave it a good scrubbing with Murphy's Oil soap. I let it dry in the hot June sun, then tenderly rubbed Lemon Oil all over it. A soft cloth and some buffing made the old wood glow with a fresh luster. It will be perfect, and I am grateful to my generous sister Donna for sharing her treasure to help my dream along.