For many years though, I thought I was. Alone in my obsession with cups, saucers, plates, bowls, serving dishes, and teapots.
I have a book about teapots - a "coffee-table" book. Ha ha. Get it?
So that means other people are interested in this kind of stuff too. Yet for some reason I always thought I was the only person in the world who loves china.
When I got married (the first time, to D, H's father) the first thing we did was pick out a china pattern, a flatware pattern, and crystal.
D introduced me to fine china and crystal and flatware. He came from an upper-class family. He introduced me to the concept that I was allowed to have the kind of serving dishes that I preferred. That I didn't have to drink out of glasses and eat off plates that were other people's preference.
It didn't go down well with my Grandmother though. She lived from hand to mouth all her life, made it through the Great Depression intact through her wits and hard work, was kind to others and grateful for the kindness of others.
And never ceased thinking with Depression mentality. So, until I was 19 years old, when I received hand-me-downs from people, I was obliged to wear them, and be seen wearing them by the person who had given it to me.
No matter whether they fit or not, or whether I liked them or not. I had to show that I was properly grateful.
So when D and I were given some crystal from a family member who had not bothered to look at our gift registry, and I politely refused the gift, saying thank you very much but we would be exchanging it for our crystal choice, all hell broke loose.
I was an ungrateful, unfeeling, unkind wretch of a girl, too big for my britches, to spoiled to appreciate the kindness of others, too undeserving of any gift whatsoever. She would take the crystal back and not give me anything in return. She would take back all her gifts and call off the reception.
She turned the screws, the screwdriver, she beat me over the head with it... But I had D to stand up for me, and the crystal was exchanged, and none of the other threats actually materialized.
And I got to drink from glasses I liked, for the first time in my life.
Now, for most people, a choice of wineglasses or plates or flatware is a simple matter of personal taste. Granted, you have to have an income that allows you to make such choices - if you're poor, you can't afford such a luxury.
But if you can afford a luxury item, then people are allowed to make those kinds of choices.
For me however, such things have always been a moral issue, because Grandma made them so. She tied my self-esteem into how grateful I could be, how cheaply I could live, how faint my own identity could be. So standing up for myself as a bride-to-be and insisting that if people wanted to give us gifts that they choose from what was in the registry, was unheard-of for both Grandma and me.
But I did it. And one of the things I learned from my first husband was that it was OKAY to have personal taste.
Now let's fast-forward to my late forties.
My Mother, P, had chosen a beautiful china pattern for herself. I actually don't know how many years she had to collect it, since I didn't grow up with her and only saw her a few times a year, to my everlasting regret.
Royal Doulton Paisley.
I think it's the most beautiful china pattern I have ever set eyes on. It's feminine without being gag-me-with-a-spoon. It's subdued without being plain. It has beautiful oval shapes. I could go on for hours, because I'm completely NUTS about china, and this pattern in particular.
And I received the entire collection from my Mother after she passed away seven years ago. Well, I received it last year, my Stepdad hung on to it for a while, but I was thrilled to get it.
I immediately set out buying some pieces to complete the set.
With absolutely no thought about the cost, incidentally, a fault my Grandma was right about. I do go a bit nuts when something I seriously want is barely within my grasp. I got the set, saw I was missing a creamer or something like that, bought it on ebay or replacements ltd, and have a service for ten.
With everything but the teapot.
I had talked to Mom about buying her the teapot, years ago. She had looked up the price and called me right back and told me not to, that it was simply too expensive. I think, at the time, it was $240 for the teapot. She was horrified and told me not to run up my credit card.
Years later, as I was touching (lovingly) each and every piece of the set, I was furious with myself for not having run up my credit card to buy it for her, since I have continually run up my credit card for much sillier purchases before and since. And she might have enjoyed the use of her teapot for years had I bought it for her. And I might have been enjoying it now.
Well, it has happened. A Royal Doulton Paisley teapot came up on ebay, for only 22 Pounds. (Around $60, I think.) I don't know why it was priced so low, but I jumped. Asked Hubby to pay for it, because of course, my credit card doesn't have the room on it... Remember what I said about running it up?
And it's on its way to me!
So, hopefully, this won't end in tears. It won't be an internet scam, the teapot will be in good shape, and you'll all be invited over for a tea party in the new year.
How many China patterns does one person need? I was also slated to receive Grandma's china back from my Stepmom, who passed away about six weeks ago. One would wonder why I wanted it, given that my relationship with Grandma was so problematic - but then, one has to remember how passionate I am about China!
I don't even know the name of Grandma's pattern, but it was beautiful and unusual. And I wanted it for years, even though I had no place to put it.
However, thankfully, one of my cousins is going to take it. So one day, I hope, I'll get to eat off those plates once more, for old time's sake!
I could fill the house with China. China cabinets (ones with lights to really show off the patterns)!
I used to think I'd be handing down all this China to Daughter - but she received a service for 12 from her father's mother, which is still sitting in boxes!
No, I'm calling it quits with my Paisley dishes. This will be my China. And I will use it as often as I can.
Especially when the teapot gets here!
I hope your new year is as happy as mine seems to be starting out!
P.S. It has arrived!
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