Oh Look, A Meme! Five Things On My Desk

[elrhiarhodan]

Ganked from many on my flist.

I am not going to include the more mundane things like computer/monitor/keyboard, telephone, desk lamp, printer, scanner, etc. because that stuff is BORING.

1 - Labordorite Bead. It's cracked on one side, thus unsuitable for use. But the unblemished side looks like a butterfly wing, blue/green/gold shimmer in the right light.

2 - Fat Man and Little Boy. Two rather phallic pieces of highly polished picture jasper. More accurately, one should be called Long Dong and the other, the Chode. I like to fiddle with them, practicing my handjob technique. TMI?

3 - Several storage boxes filled with Swarovski crystal beads. I've gone 180 degrees from my preferred materials (natural stone and pearls) in this most recent weaving craze. I used to be such a size queen, now it's all seed beads and 2.5mm bicones.

4 - My father's prayer book. Not surprising it's falling apart, and equally not surprising, it's never been read. This prayer book was issued by the National Union of Jewish Service Men for soldiers and sailors during WWII, and I found it amongst his papers shortly after his death. It's made out of tissue thin paper and the glue holding cover to the spine has dried out. The only page that is dog eared is The Mourner's Kaddish.

5 - A holiday card from a dear friend. It reminds me that I am never alone and I am loved.

Comments

[lauracollared.livejournal.com]

Your father fought for the US in WWII? Wow. I wonder how many Jews did that. I don't know that I've ever spoken with anyone who had family in that situation. (Also, I know you are older than me, but that's still surprising to me that your father could have served in WWII. Was your father on quite the old side when you were born?) <---- Feel free not to respond to any of these questions, obviously.

[elrhiarhodan]

Tens of thousands of American Jews fought in WWII, in Europe, in North Africa and like my father, in the Pacific theater.

I am probably twice your age (and then some), and no - my father wasn't particularly old when I was born.

[lauracollared.livejournal.com]

Fair enough, thanks.

[elrhiarhodan]

I should also note that my father was 16 when he signed up.

My family has a tradition of military service, there were members of my family in every branch of the service.

You may want to watch/read Neil Simon's "Biloxi Blues" to learn a bit more about Jews in the service in WWII.

[lauracollared.livejournal.com]

Ok thanks :)

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Ooh, interesting items on your desk. As is probably not particularly surprising, I am very interested in your father's prayer book. And I am not at all surprised that it's the Kaddish that is the one dogeared page.

[elrhiarhodan]

My father was raised in a very observant household, but was extremely non-religious. I highly suspect that his time in the Navy was responsible for that.

[coffeethyme4me.livejournal.com]

I adore learning more about you and your family. Thank you so much for sharing that.

[elrhiarhodan]

That holiday card - guess who sent it ;-)

[coffeethyme4me.livejournal.com]

Oh I was hoping it was mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That fills me with happiness. :-D

FTW!

[ladyrose42.livejournal.com]

Funny, I have my grandfather's bible that he got in WWII. It has a wrap to hold it close with a snap and is dull khaki in color, and very compact. As to my own desk, it is piled too high and deep to see bottom. But mostly magazines and stitching projects - an archeology of the past few months (years)! My laptop is truly a laptop.