Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Hidden Treasures


Mrs. Smith taught me how to "keep house" as she used to say. And, she taught me how to "stash my loot for safe-keeping". Even though I didn't have any "loot" as a kid, I learned from a master and have put her lessons to good use in my own home today.

I was 13 when I met Mrs. Smith. (I first told you about my dear friends Mr. and Mrs Smith here.) Every Saturday for years we spent four hours together cleaning and doing chores around her house.

She had a gorgeous collection of handmade oriental rugs covering beautiful hardwood floors throughout her house. Each week, I'd dust the floorboards, on my hands and knees, then I'd vacuum the rugs using the small attachment generally reserved for drapery cleaning. She said we cleaned this way to protect the workmanship for the rugs which were easily a hundred years old and the original wood floors circa 1930-ish.

We were fast friends and I looked forward to our time together. After about six weeks of Saturdays, Mrs. Smith trusted me enough to start peeling back her rugs to share the "loot" she'd hidden under the padding. I'm here to tell you, it was a wealth of booty and mementos from the Smith's long, happy marriage.

They were world travelers and Mrs. Smith was a "saver". Tucked under the rugs were stunning hand written menus from luxury ocean liner trips across the Atlantic, cocktail menus from some of the finest restaurants and night clubs of old New York City, telegrams and opera playbills from Italy, and love letters from Mr. Smith to name a few.

She called them her "flat treasures" and it took two full years before we'd peeled back all of the rugs and talked about all of the items and where they'd been collected from. Some were dated in the early 1900s and a few items were passed on to Mrs. Smith from her mother.

The hidden loot was a big secret that I felt privileged to be trusted with. I always smiled when folks would pay Mrs. Smith a visit and comment on the beautiful rugs. With a wink, she never let on that her guests were walking on worldly treasures.

Once we worked our way through all the rugs in the house-- nearly 20 as I recall, I was introduced to the "secret sofa". Mrs. Smith's sofa belonged to her late mother. The mahogany carved wood with rose velvet upholstery was usually draped with a sheet to "protect it from the sun" because it was close to a hundred years old.

Thinking about it now, I didn't even know what color the sofa was for the entire first year I knew her-- It was that well covered and "protected" giving the living room a don't-sit-on-the-furniture warning.

On this particular Saturday, it was time to move and clean behind the sofa. That's when I discovered the "secret". Behind the sofa, on the beautiful mahogany, was a long row of small nails, each exactly an inch and a half apart. (Mr. Smith was an engineer and his attention to detail was legendary.)

On the nails hung Mrs. Smith's impressive collection of fine jewelry. From diamond and emerald rings to pearl and sapphire necklaces, her lovely and quite valuable collection of jewels hung out of sight on the back of sofa in "a safe place".

Mrs. Smith was sure, no one would ever look behind her sofa for "the loot". And fortunately, in the 30+ years she lived in the house, she was right.

One by one, I heard the story behind each cherished piece of jewelry and how they came to be Mrs. Smith's. Some were family heirlooms, others "tokens of affection" from Mr. Smith throughout their marriage. With few exceptions, she never wore the jewelry but she loved showing it to me.

But it was the small, beautifully wrapped gift box, the kind you can lift the wrapped lid off without tearing the paper, that amused me the most. Inside the gift box was several hundred dollars in cash-- Mrs. Smith's "emergency loot". On the box was a card addressed "To Little Billy - Love, Auntie Mary".

Here's the thing-- Mrs. Smith's first name wasn't Mary and she didn't know anyone named Billy. The package was wrapped and addressed this way because she didn't want a robber to know her real name. And, she was positive, no self-respecting robber would steal a wrapped present for a little boy. I kid you not. She actually used the words "no self-respecting robber"!

Before living in the house, Mrs. Smith honed her "loot stashing" skills by living in fancy hotel suites for extended periods of time with Mr. Smith while he was a project engineer on huge construction jobs. Yes, she kept some things in the hotel's safe but she also figured out that people by nature, generally do not pull back rugs, move sofas or "swipe" wrapped packages when a hotel suite was being cleaned.

So when Mrs. Smith settled into her own house, she took things one step further and incorporated her unique, do-it-yourself-security-system and stashed her "loot" in plain sight, under foot, and behind furniture.

And for the record, she laughed at the notion of hiding her jewelry in the freezer. She thought that was too obvious and easy to find.

Today, in my home, I have several area rugs on our wood floors. Although the great art of hand written menus is long past, I've managed to accumulate numerous "flat treasures" that I walk on every day.

A few months ago, when Godson turned 13 years old, I repeated the tradition and started peeling my rugs back to share my loot with him. I have some of his first grade artwork, a couple of cool showbiz award programs, an autographed movie poster, and newspaper articles with Beloved husband quoted. It's no where the quantity of "loot" Mrs. Smith had under her rugs, but they are my bigger items that lend themselves to being flat. And, Mrs. Smith had a 65 year head start on me so I'm confident I'll eventually catch up.

Do I have a small gift wrapped box addressed to "Billy" with my emergency cash? Not exactly, but I do have something very similar. As for my jewelry hanging from the back of my sofa-- No way, not even with our security alarm system. Sadly, times have changed a little too much for me to be comfortable with that. But I truly enjoy walking around on my "flat loot" every day.

Are you a treasure saver?
Welcome to The Fifty Factor - Joanna Jenkins
Photo Credit: © Cilgin - Fotolia.com

56 comments:

  1. What a great story!
    I guess you could say the same thing about how people stash away secret treasuresof their personality.
    Just under the dusty edge of a beautiful covering, you might find a hidden aspect of a wonderful friend!

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  2. What an awesome tradition. I need to remember this.

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  3. very interesting but I wouldn't agree that saving flat treasures under a rug is good. The movement of the rug rubbing the item could be a problem but I gather you don't have kids tearing through the place.

    But no matter, I enjoyed the story and getting a tiny look into another generation's thinking.
    The idea of a "self-respecting robber" sounds so strange to me. I'm guessing she was never robbed.

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  4. Great story! So vivid, I felt like I was walking with you thru her house. Thank you sharing - I will never visit someone without wondering what is under their rug!

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  5. Joanna...your writing is an absolute pleasure to read! It was as though I was back with you as a child sharing Mrs. Smith treasures with eyes wide open! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Thanks for sharing this story! I guess I keep my treasures in the basement in plastic shortage bins. I have 1 or 2 for each of the kids and have things from their birth to present day. One day, when they move to their own homes, I will give them their boxes to share with their family.

    I am not a saver, but I do have a box for myself with my horse ribbons, cards, etc. I try not to buy good jewelry anymore because all of mine was stolen years ago. A self-respecting robber will take a jewelry pouch full of favorite things when the fool owner leaves it on the vanity when workers are around! It was insured, but items with sweet memories attached like an engagement ring and wedding band are irreplaceable and I would not want to go through that loss again.

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  7. I agree with yourksnbeans, your writing made this story come alive. Loved it! Such a special memory and tradition in one.
    I don´t have area rugs (yet), but it´s a good idea to remember.

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  8. Ya'll totally pulled me in with the 'flat loot' story. What a cool tradition you picked up to share with your family. I had a very eccentric aunt who hid real cash under her throw rugs...pretty much hid money everywhere. I found a sizable stash in an ice bag once. This was a great read girl!!!

    Have a marvelous day dear one!!!

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  9. What a wonderful story Joanna...truly touching in so many ways.
    I wouldn't say I'm a 'treasure saver' when it comes to valuables..I tend to 'hide' them among normal looking things so they blend it. But, when it comes to my emotions, I am definitely a saver. Peel a little 'rug' back every now and then to show who you really are and you'll be surprised to notice how many people appreciate it!
    HAve a good day :)

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  10. That's a lovely story..what an interesting lady! Since we've got wall-to-wall carpeting, maybe I'll have to hide my "flat loot" under the dog's bed. :)

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  11. I love this story, Joanna! Thank you so much for sharing it. I had a Mrs. Smith of my own, her name was Estelle, and she was cat's pajamas.

    Flat treasures! Couch jewelry! Love it!

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  12. That was a jaw-dropping inspiring story Joanna! xo xo xo

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  13. How unique and endearing.
    I loved the way you told the story, too Joanna.

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  14. I was captivated by Mrs. Smith's ability to treasure and keep her precious mementos close by. I don't dare keep flat treasures under any rugs here due to the inquisitive two year old and the puppy that eats everything, including rugs!

    She was definitely someone that knew much about treasures.

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  15. I love this story, how wonderful for you. I don't keep things in weird places, but there are definitely things that I've held onto that may not be worth "real" money but are priceless to me.

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  16. Joanna, thanks for sharing such a wonderful story with us. Your words in this post and your post from last year have transported me to Mrs Smiths company - thank you.

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  17. Joanna I just loved this story. What a wonderful idea. I guess I need to get some rugs.

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  18. What a wonderful story Joanna, very interesting, she sounds like she was a wonderful lady. I keep treasures that would mean really nothing to anyone but me. drawings from nieces/nephews,letters,trinkets,etc..To anyone else I think they would think to toss some of it..but there is no monetary value..but they are my treasures...

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  19. I love this! Such a great story and a good idea too, but I think my cat would find most of it!

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  20. I am not a treasure saver, Joanna, but I am sentimental. I have all the cards given to me by girlfriends going several years back. I can't bear to part with them.

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  21. I loved your story. What a neat lady she must have been. I love stories told by another generation. Shucks, I was going to come visit you and move your couch when you went for tea.

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  22. Mrs. Smith taught you much more than where she stored the loot, huh. What an amazing wealth of history and sentiment. This is a wonderful memory and it means a lot that you share your "love" stories in your blog. For this is truly a love story, the kind with strength and character.

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  23. Pricelsesslessons to learn and pass on as traditions

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  24. Flat treasures

    Secret sofas

    Gift wrapped emergency loot

    All cherished secrets between friends...

    I think the last of those is the most valuable of all.

    Thank you so much Joanna... not just for sharing this remarkable story, but by carrying on the tradition. You are amazing.

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  25. Great story. Sad, there is no such thing as a self-respecting robber anymore.

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  26. Wonderful story Joanna! And what a great tradition! I love how she shared her "secrets" with you and now you are sharing!! Fabulous!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  27. I have a few flat treasures. Now I know what to do with them.

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  28. What a great story! You were lucky to have known Mrs. Smith.

    After my great grandmother died, the relatives that cleared out her house found that she stowed money in between empty folded paper bags next to her cleaning supplies.

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  29. This is an incredible post! I love it!

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  30. What a wonderful tale. I love that you followed suit with the rugs.

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  31. wonderful post jj. our treasures usually take the form of our kids art, which is in a huge box tucked away. hope to one day pull it out to share with them again...and maybe a grilfriend...lol.

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  32. What a wonderful memory and now you are doing it too!! What is your friend doing now...is she alive? I am a saver but the last few years not as much!

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  33. J,
    When I was a kid my best friend and I had a regular route where we visited some of the elderly people in our neighborhood and used to enjoy their stories and looking at their cool stuff. I think getting cookies or whatever from them may have also been a draw.
    So much for stashing my good jewelry in my underwear drawer!

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  34. Awesome story! I love it! Perhaps I'll have to start storing my flat treasures under the rugs!

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  35. One of the best posts I've ever read!! Amazing writing! I, too, felt like I was right there with you! Thanks so much for sharing.

    I'm a saver, but my family calls it hoarding...

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  36. The story and your telling of it really brought Mrs. Smith to life. My guess is that you were as special to her as she was to you.

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  37. Anything I find under a rug in my house was put there by a child too lazy to throw away. :)

    Love the story though. You are an amazing writer.

    Cheers,

    SLC

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  38. What a lovely story and such a special friendship. Beautiful work, Joanne.

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  39. What a wonderful story. I love it. The way you shared this great memory from your past made me feel like I was there. Thanks for sharing it.

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  40. Amazing! What a wonderful story! I love the thought of so much love and history in all those flat treasures!

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  41. Joanna, there is a best-selling children's story hiding in this post and I'm not kidding. Actually, the Smiths were such finely carved characters, I bet you have several stories.

    I wish I'd known her.

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  42. That's a really sweet story! Thank you for sharing it!

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  43. I LOVE this story and I can just imagine you as a little girl, in awe as she peeled back the rugs to show you her stash. I never would have thought to hide things that way!

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  44. Wow, what a story! Every detail is so fascinating and now I am totally going to keep flat treasures beneath my one Oriental rug--I have no good jewelry to stash, alas, but what a clever thing! She sounds like a real gift--I imagine how pleased you were to be taken into her confidence.
    When I was a teenager and had a nosy mom I'd keep notes and stuff above a tile in my bedroom ceiling. She never looked there.

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  45. Loved this story Joanna, read it with great interest! You had a very special connection indeed with Mrs. Smith. I remember your story from a while ago.

    My former mother-in-law once told me something which I have kept all of my married life to her son and now in this marriage (of 22+ years).... "always keep a little something for yourself" I have a "stash", I call it the dogs' allowance but of course it is really my slush $$$ .... xoxo

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  46. I enjoyed this story as I did when you told about Mrs. Smith before. You tell the story in such a way it captivates me. Thanks for sharing and no I don't have any hidden treasures, oh well.

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  47. I often call my Mrs Smith treasure - I wonder where they dug her up from...

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  48. I also love this story, and how this kind woman made you feel so trusted and special at such a young age.

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  49. That Mrs. Smith sounds like quite a woman.. and what a fascinating story! don't you love how we adopt 'traditions'
    thank you for sharing this story, it's touching.

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  50. Fascinating! I have never heard of someone stashing their jewelry behind their sofa.

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  51. that was a wonderful read! you are a great writer.

    shona
    http://shonastudio.blogspot.com/

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  52. That is fascinating! What a wonderful short story that would make. That had to be incredible looking over all of those treasures and a real treat that she wanted to share them with you.

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  53. I remember pulling up the linoleum in the house my father was born in and finding that they'd padded it with newspapers from all over north america - my grandmother was a current events junkie. What should have taken me an hour turned into a job that took days as I read all about the world the year my father was born. They weren't put there on purpose, but it was definitely treasure for me to find.

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  54. What a delight Mrs Smith must have been and its lovely that you have taken over from her. Flat treasures - really lovely idea. I was fascinated by what Mrs Smith did with her jewellery too - she clearly was a great thinker and planner. Your Godson is 13 - becoming quite the youn man.

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