The Toys That Entertained Us In Childhood

Northlander at Gravenhurst Train Station (photos by Fred Schulz)

THE TOYS THAT ENTERTAINED US IN CHILDHOOD - NOT SO BAD FOR DE-STRESSING IN ADULTHOOD

I STILL LIKE PLAYING WITH DINKY TOYS…..AND I'M NOT ASHAMED TO ADMIT IT!

     BACK IN MY YOUTH, TOY CARS AND TRUCKS GOT ME THROUGH THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS. WHEN THE ADULT WORLD WAS NERVOUS WITH WORLD EVENTS, I FOUND MY DINKY TOYS, CORGI, LESNEY, MATCHBOX AND HOT WHEELS, WERE MORE THAN ADEQUATE TO GET ME THROUGH ROUGH PATCHES. THE OTHER NIGHT, I FOUND TWO OF THE HOT WHEELS, OUR BOYS DIDN'T DESTROY DURING THEIR CHILDHOOD, AND WAS FIDDLING WITH THEM ON THE HARVEST TABLE. HEY, IT WAS AFTER DINNER, AND SUZANNE WAS WORKING IN ANOTHER ROOM. THE BOYS WERE STILL AT WORK, AND THE CATS AND DOG DON'T SNITCH ON THE GUY WHO GIVES THEM FOOD. SO HERE I WAS, JUST DRIVING THESE LITTLE CARS AROUND MY END OF THE TABLE, COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS, TO THE STEALTH MOVE, THAT SAW MY WIFE COME CROM THE BEDROOM TO TABLE=SICE, TO SEE WHERE THE STRANGE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. ME, OBVIOUSLY, RUNNING THE CARS ON A WOODEN TABLE-TOP. "HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MARBLES," SHE DEMANDED, HANDS ON HIP. "NOPE, THEY'RE IN A BAG BESIDE MY CHAIR." I REPLIED, SO AS NOT TO GIVE HER THE INCH SHE TAKES, TO MAKE HER "MILE."

     "ARE YOU REVERTING TO CHILDHOOD," SHE ASKED. "DIDN'T YOU HAVE TOY CARS WHEN YOU WERE A KID?" "WELL, I THOUGHT I WAS ALONE, AND BY THE WAY, YOU KNIT FOR STRESS-RELIEF, AND I PLAY WITH HOT WHEELS." "WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO BE STRESSED ABOUT," SHE ASKED, BUT IT SOUNDED MORE LIKE A STATEMENT. I WAS GONG TO SAY, "BECAUSE I LIVE WITH YOU," BUT THAT WOULD HAVE MADE AN INTOLERABLY SILENT EVENING……JUST ME RUNNING THESE CARS UP AND DOWN THE HARVEST TABLE.

     "IT'S THOSE PESKY NORTH KOREANS," I ANSWERED. "THEY'RE THREATENING TO LAUNCH A NUCLEAR MISSILE, SO I'VE GOT TO GET MY PLAY-TIME IN NOW…..JUST IN CASE." AS IS TYPICAL AROUND HERE, SHE WILL MUMBLE SOMETHING ABOUT BEING A "WORRY WORT," WHICH IS WHAT MY MOTHER USED TO CALL ME……EVERY TIME I WENT OUT THE DOOR TO SCHOOL, TELLING HER I WAS GOING TO GET A BEATING IN THE SCHOOL YARD. SHE'D FEEL BETTER MAKING LIGHT OF MY FEARS, AND I'D GET THE CRAP BEATEN OUT OF ME ANYWAY, AND WELL, WE'D AGREED TO DISAGREE. SUZANNE BELIEVES I INVENT STRESS, SO THAT I CAN SPEND QUALITY TIME CONTEMPLATING THE WORK OF THE GREAT BARDS…..TRYING TO FIND A POETIC SOLUTION TO THE WORLD'S CONFLICTS. FRANKLY, I'M HAPPY TO CARRY ON PLAYING WITH THESE HOT WHEELS, AND TIME-WARPING BACK TO CHILDHOOD…..WHEN THESE SIMPLE FOUR WHEELED TOYS, TOOK ME AWAY FROM THE REALITY OF THE MOMENT. IN FACT, I COULD EVEN BE HAPPIER, IF I HAD ABOUT FIFTY MORE OF MY OLD TOY CARS AND TRUCKS, BECAUSE THEN I COULD SET UP THOSE GREAT TOWNSCAPES I USED TO, ON THE KITCHEN TABLE IN MY PARENT'S SMALL APARTMENT.

     AS A MR. MOM, LOOKING AFTER OUR SONS ANDREW AND ROBERT, I USED TO GET SUCH A KICK OUT OF WATCHING THEM PLAY WITH A SPECIAL MAT, THAT HAD ROADS AND NEIGHBORHOODS PRINTED ON THE SURFACE. THEY ADDED THEIR BUILDINGS, MADE FROM LEGO, ON THE OUTSIDE EDGES OF THE MAT, AND THEY UTILIZED AT LEAST A HUNDRED VEHICLES. I'D SIT BACK, CEASE MY WRITING WORK, AND JUST WATCH THEM HAVE FUN. IT'S ONE OF MY FONDEST MEMORIES OF BEING A HOUSE-FATHER, AND I GOT A CHANCE TO PLAY ALONG WITH THEM, ALMOST EVERY DAY FOR YEARS AND YEARS. WE USED TO SELL DINKY TOYS, MATCHBOX VEHICLES, LESNEY AND CORGI TRUCKS AT OUR STORE, THANKS TO CONSIGNOR, JACK KIERNON, OF BAYSVILLE, A RETIRED KODAK EMPLOYEE, IF MEMORY SERVES……WHO ADORED HIS TOY COLLECTION…..HUNTING VINTAGE PIECES AND SELLING THEM THROUGH OUR STORE. ACCEPT THE ONES HE REALLY LIKED, AND REMEMBERED FROM HIS OWN CHILDHOOD. JACK WOULD HAVE PLAYED WITH HIS TOYS EXACTLY THE WAY I WAS; ON OUR PINE TABLE (WHICH LEAVES TIRE MARKS IN THE WOOD, SAYS MY WIFE). JACK AND I USED TO TALK A LOT ABOUT THE "ADULT PLAYING WITH TOYS" THING, AND WE AGREED THAT CRITICS BE DAMNED, WE WERE GOING TO DO WHAT MADE US FEEL GOOD. IF IT WASN'T BOOZE, WILD WOMEN, MAGIC MUSHROOMS, THEN OUR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS SHOULD GIVE US A BREAK……FOR A NON-ADDICTIVE HABIT, THAT COMES AND GOES WHEN THE MOOD PREVAILS. IT'S NOT LIKE WE WERE STAYING OUT LATE AT NIGHT, OR NOT COMING HOME AT ALL, BECAUSE WE HOOKED-UP WITH OUR MATES, WHO ALSO LIKED PLAYING WITH TOY CARS. WE WERE PLAYING AT HOME, IN PLAIN VIEW, AND WITH ONLY MILD DELUSION……WHICH WE SIMPLY CALLED OUR PRIVILEGED, EXTENDED CHILDHOOD. I WAS DEVASTATED WHEN I HEARD JACK KIERNON HAD PASSED AWAY SOME YEARS AGO. HE WAS THE GUY WHO SPRUNG ME FROM MY SELF-IMPOSED OPPRESSION……AND ENCOURAGED ME TO BUCK THE TREND OF ADULTHOOD, AND ONCE AGAIN, PLAY WITH TOYS. IT WAS GOOD ADVICE, AND SUZANNE KNOWS IF SHE PRESSES ME, I'LL BRING UP JACK AS MY ALIBI. SHE LIKED JACK AS MUCH AS I DID. JACK WAS ONE OF THE REGULAR VISITORS I REFER TO NOW, (SEE OTHER BLOGS) AS THE BIRCH HOLLOW LIAR'S CLUB. WE LIKED TO VALIDATE OUR VICES. TOY CARS AND TRUCKS FOR EXAMPLE. SO WHEN I PLAY WITH THEM NOW, AND SOMEONE CALLS ME ON MY CHILDISH BEHAVIOR, I REMIND THEM ABOUT WHAT THESE SUCKERS ARE WORTH NOW……..HOLY SMOKES. I WISH THEY BOYS HAD BEEN BETTER (KINDER) TO THEIR HOT WHEELS IN THEIR CHILDHOOD, BECAUSE THE ONES I'VE BEEN PLAYING WITH ARE THE ONLY SURVIVORS OF HUNDREDS THEY OWNED. I TOLD THEM NOT TO TAKE THEM INTO THE SAND BOX. THEY HAD THOUSANDS OF HOURS WORTH OF FUN, SO LOSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN THEIR DEVALUATION SHOULDN'T BOTHER THEM TOO MUCH.

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD - AN OLD TOY - NO KIDDING

ARE COLLECTORS OF TOYS THE HAPPIEST OF ALL? JACK WAS!

A FEW DAYS AGO, ANDREW WAS LEAVING THE HOUSE, ON THE WAY TO A MUSIC GIG, AND HE GOT ALL NOSTALGIC. HE TURNED BACK TOWARD THE HOUSE, DESPITE THE BLOWING SNOW, BENT OVER, AND PULLED AN OLD HOT WHEELS CAR, OFF A SMALL WOODEN LEDGE HIS MOTHER USES FOR HER GERANIUMS IN-SEASON. "I REMEMBER THIS ONE," HE SAID, POLISHING THE FINISH OF THE CIRCA 1980'S TOY CAR. "I HAD LOTS OF ONES LIKE THIS," HE RECALLED, SHOWING ME THE CAR I REMEMBER DIGGING UP THE SPRING BEFORE, WHEN WE DECIDED TO PUT IN THE BORDER GARDEN. "IT MUST HAVE FALLEN THROUGH THE DECKING OF THE OLD PORCH," I REMINDED HIM. "I FOUND IT WHEN I STARTED CLEARING OUT THE LEAVES, FOR THE GARDEN. I THINK THERE'S MORE OF THEM IN THE SHED." HE LOOKED AT IT FROM ALL ANGLES AND THEN SET IT BACK ON THE LEDGE…..WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN HEAT-BREAKING FOR THE LITTLE CAR, TO HAVE FINALLY BEEN RECOGNIZED BY ITS FORMER OWNER. IF IT HAD A SOUL! RIGHT? WELL, THERE ARE SOME FOLKS WHO FEEL PRETTY STRONGLY ABOUT THEIR TOY COLLECTION, AND THE REASONS YOU NEVER, EVER NEGLECT THEM……..AND IT'S NOT JUST A LINE FROM THE MOVIE "TOY STORY" EITHER.

ONE DAY WHEN WE HAD COMPANY, HERE AT BIRCH HOLLOW, VISITOR REMARKED ABRUPTLY ABOUT HOW MANY TOYS ANDREW AND ROBERT HAD……AND THAT THEY MUST BE THE LUCKIEST KIDS EVER, TO HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO PLAY WITH. IT WASN'T THE FIRST TIME I'D HEARD THIS, BUT ON MOST OF THE OTHER OCCASIONS, I OVERHEAD THE COMMENT, IT CAME FROM VISITING KIDS, AND EVEN MY PARENTS, WHO GREATLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE TOY VOLUME. BUT AS I'VE WRITTEN ABOUT, PREVIOUSLY, SUZANNE AND I RESPECTIVELY, DIDN'T COME FROM FAMILIES THAT HAD A LOT OF EXTRA MONEY TO SPEND ON TOYS. WE HAD NATURE. SUZANNE GREW UP IN ONE OF THE MOST PICTURESQUE COMMUNITIES IN MUSKOKA, AND THEIR FAMILY RAN THE WINDERMERE MARINA. FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE, SUZANNE WAS WORKING IN THE UPSTAIR'S SNACKBAR, KNOWN AS "THE SKIPPER." SHE WENT FROM BEING A KID TO BEING A SNACKBAR COOK IN ONE OPPORTUNITY-FILLED BUSINESS DECISION. IT'S NOT TO SUGGEST SHE DIDN'T HAVE DOLLS AND DOLLHOUSES, AND A JUNIOR SEWING MACHINE, OR DOZENS OF GAME-BOARDS. WHILE I WAS STILL PLAYING WITH A TABLE-TOP HOCKEY GAME, SUZANNE WAS MOTORING AROUND THE LAKES IN HER OWN WOODEN BOAT. IT'S LIKE THAT WHEN YOU OWN A MARINA, A COTTAGE, AND A HOUSE WITHIN A WHISKER OF THE LAKE. SHE HAD ACRES OF FOREST TO PLAY IN, AND I HAD URBAN OPEN SPACES LIKE BAMFORD'S WOODS AND THE GROVE. I DIDN'T NEED A TOY AT ALL, TO ENJOY THE NATURE AROUND ME. BUT IF YOU HAD TOYS, YOU WERE MY NEW BEST FRIEND.

AS I DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF TOYS MYSELF, I MADE SURE THE FRIENDS I HUNG AROUND WITH, WERE FULLY EQUIPPED FOR MY PLAY INTERESTS. BUT WHEN ANOTHER FRIEND OF THE FAMILY SUGGESTED, "YOU MUST BE MAKING UP FOR WHAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE YOURSELF, AS A CHILD," IT DID RING A BELL. I KNEW OF ANOTHER ANTIQUE DEALER, YOU SEE, WHO BOUGHT A LOT OF VINTAGE TOYS FOR HIMSELF, BASED ON THE FUNDAMENTAL ARGUMENT, HE WAS FINALLY GOING TO HAVE, WHAT HE WAS DENIED AS A KID. IT'S NOT A VERY COMPELLING OR SENSIBLE ARGUMENT, WHEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO IT, BECAUSE THE VINTAGE TOYS HE WAS REFERRING, WOULD COST A LOT OF MONEY TO RE-PURCHASE.

THERE WOULD BE THOSE WHO WOULD ARGUE, THAT IT WOULDN'T MATTER, IF YOU HAD EVERY TOY YOU HAD EVER WANTED AS A CHILD, BECAUSE THE CHILD-LIKE SPIRIT, THE INNOCENT, EMERGING IMAGINATION TO ENJOY THEM, WAS NOW GONE. DRIED UP. NEVER TO BE FOUND AGAIN. "YOU CAN NEVER GO BACK," IS A STATEMENT I'VE ALWAYS DESPISED. AS AN ANTIQUE DEALER I'VE KICKED THIS OUT OF MY WAY FOR MOST OF MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE. OF COURSE I CAN GO BACK. AS A WRITER, I'VE HAD TO DO THE SAME THING, TIME AND AGAIN, BECAUSE AS AN HISTORIAN PARTICULARLY, I'M ALWAYS "GOING BACK." AS FOR BEING ABLE TO RETURN TO YOUTH, THAT'S KIND OF BODILY THING, REQUIRING A FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH. AS FOR OUTLOOK AND ATTITUDE, FRANKLY, I DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO THOSE WHO ARGUE, WHETHER OR NOT, I CAN RETURN TO THE DAYS OF MY YOUTH. I POINT OUT TO THEM, "YOU MIGHT BE RIGHT, THAT YOU CAN'T GO BACK, BUT IT DEPENDS ON IF YOU EVER REALLY LEFT IN THE FIRST PLACE." I NEVER DID. ASK SUZANNE. THE BOYS. I'M WANDERING AROUND BIRCH HOLLOW WITH MY OLD HOCKEY JERSEY ON, AS IF WAITING FOR THE BIG CALL, TO RE-JOIN THE HERALD-GAZETTE RINK RATS. I HAVE THE BEST DARN TIME WRITING ABOUT MY YOUTH, GROWING UP IN BRACEBRIDGE, THE OLD GANG OF MINE UP ON ALICE STREET, AND THE THOUSANDS GAMES OF TABLE-TOP HOCKEY WE PLAYED FOR THE MINIATURE PLASTIC STANLEY CUP. I CAN RESORT TO CHILDISH FOLLY IN ONLY MINUTES, OF READING THE DAILY NEWS. I MAY GIVE THE APPEARANCE OF BEING SERIOUS, BUT THAT'S ONLY BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A TOY CAR IN MY HAND AT THE TIME. IF I'M BEING A PAIN IN THE ARSE, ALL ARGUMENTATIVE AND STUFF, JUST HAND ME A VINTAGE CORGI AND I'LL LICK YOUR HAND. A CORGI, DINKY TOY, AND A HOT WHEELS, AND I'LL JUMP INTO YOUR ARMS.

I'M A CONFESSED ART-LOVER, AND IT'S QUITE TRUE THAT AS A COLLECTOR, I HAVE GONE OVER-BOARD. NOT JUST THIS YEAR. THIS HAS BEEN A MULTI-DECADE EXCESS. SO YOU'D THINK I'D BE OUT OF MY MIND WITH HAPPINESS, AT HAVING SO MUCH ART AT MY BECK AND CALL. TRUE. BUT I'D BE EVEN HAPPIER TO HAVE ROOMS FILLED WITH VINTAGE DINKY TOYS AND CORGI VEHICLES, AND BOXES OF HOT WHEELS TO LOOK AFTER. SO I THINK, TO JUMP BACK UP THIS BLOG, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF MY LITTLE TOME, THAT UNQUESTIONABLY, SUZANNE AND I DID OVER-EXTEND OURSELVES WITH ANDREW AND ROBERT, SO THEY COULD HAVE WHAT WE DIDN'T AS KIDS. WE STILL HAVE SEVENTY PERCENT OF THEIR TOYS BOXED-UP AND READY TO BE RE-PLAYED WITH, IF AND WHEN THEY PROVIDE US WITH GRAND-KIDS. I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU, A TRIP TO GRANDMA AND GRAMPS WILL BE AN ODYSSEY OF TOYS. WE MUST HAVE A MILLION PIECES OF LEGO AROUND HERE. BUT IN HONESTY, AND AS A FORMER MR. MOM FOR MOST OF THEIR YOUNG LIVES, I WAS GREATLY AT EASE DOING THIS JOB…..ADMITTEDLY A DIFFICULT ONE, SIMPLY BECAUSE I WASN'T FAR OFF BEING A KID MYSELF…..A CHARACTERISTIC I'VE NEVER LOST. AS I LOVED TO WATCH THE BOYS BUILD THEIR ELABORATE TOWNSCAPES, WITH HUNDREDS OF TOY CARS, AND A NEAT VINTAGE SERVICE CENTRE, I GOT JUST AS MUCH PLAY-TIME AS THEY DID……AND I MAY HAVE, ON OCCASION, SNUCK DOWN TO PLAY WITH THE CARS, WHEN THEY BOTH NODDED OFF FOR AN AFTERNOON NAP. SUZANNE CAUGHT ME PLAYING WITH CARS ONCE BUT I TOLD HER IT WAS NOT GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE, SEEING AS I DIDN'T HAVE A FEMALE PLAYMATE OVER. I THINK SHE'D TRUST ME WITH THE FEMALE PLAYMATE, JUST NOT THE TOYS.

I HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF RESPECT FOR VINTAGE TOY COLLECTORS. I HAVE KNOWN QUITE A FEW IN MY TIME AS AN ANTIQUE DEALER, AND THE BIRCH HOLLOW LIAR'S CLUB USED TO HAVE A LOT OF IN-DEPTH DISCUSSIONS ABOUT COLLECTING TOYS AND SUCH. JACK KIERNAN, THE RIGHTFUL PRESIDENT OF THE LIAR'S CLUB, A WONDERFUL OLDTIMER, WHO LOVED TO COLLECT HIS TOY CARS AND TRUCKS, COULD TALK TO INFINITY ABOUT HIS INTERESTS, SPECIFICALLY IN DINKY TOYS, MATCHBOX, LESNEY AND CORGI. HE APPROACHED IT FROM TWO DIRECTIONS. HE HAD A PERMANENT COLLECTION THAT WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE. HE WOULDN'T SELL FOR ANY PRICE. (UNLESS HIS OWN CAR BROKE DOWN, AND HE NEEDED A GRAND OR SO TO FIX IT UP). OTHERS HE FOUND, WHILE HUSTLING OUT ON THE ANTIQUE HUNT. HE'D PATIENTLY AND CAREFULLY CLEAN THEM UP, APPLY A REPAIR IF NECESSARY, RESEARCH EACH CAR OR TRUCK, THROUGH THE DOG-EARED PAGES OF HIS GNARLED PRICE GUIDES, AND THEN PUT THEM UP FOR SALE IN OUR SHOP. THAT'S WHEN I REALLY GOT TO PLAY WITH TOYS. JACK WAS FLEXIBLE THIS WAY. 'WE'RE YOU PLAYING WITH THE TOYS AGAIN TED," HE'D ASK, SEEING THE SMILE ON MY FACE, WHEN HE'D COME IN FOR A VISIT. "OF COURSE JACK….YOU CAN'T IGNORE A TOY THAT WANTS TO BE PLAYED WITH."

JACK WAS ABUNDANTLY PATIENT WITH ME, AS A ROOKIE TOY COLLECTOR, AND HE'D SPEND HOURS GOING THROUGH PRICE GUIDES AND REFERENCE MATERIAL, SHOWING ME THE DINKY TOYS THAT WERE OF EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, FOR SPECIFIC REASONS, SUCH AS PAINT COLOR. HE EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS OFTEN THE CASE, A PAINT COLOR WAS CHANGED ON A CAR IN PRODUCTION, DUE TO A SHORTAGE OR A COMPANY SHIFT OF OPINION. WHAT IT WOULD MEAN THEN, IS THAT THERE WERE DIFFERENCES IN VALUATIONS. OUT OF 10,000 MADE, THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A LOT FEWER DONE OF ONE EXPERIMENTAL COLOR, THUS THE VALUE WAS MUCH HIGHER FOR THESE CARS OR TRUCKS. HE WAS JUST SO DARN ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT COLLECTING, AND WORKING ON HIS OLD TOY CARS. HE HAD RETIRED FROM KODAK CANADA, I BELIEVE, AND SETTLED WITH HIS WIFE IN THE VILLAGE OF BAYSVILLE, ONTARIO. HE'D COME IN TO SEE ME AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, AND WE TALKED ABOUT POLITICS AND THE CRAPPY BUSINESS PRACTICES OF LENDING INSTITUTIONS. HE WAS AN AVID READER AND KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE WORLD. THE HAPPIEST JACK COULD GET IN A DAY, WAS FINDING A NEAT TOY CAR, OR A DOZEN, WHILE HUNTING THROUGH THE REGIONAL SECOND HAND SHOPS. HE COULDN'T WAIT TO GET IN TO THE SHOP, TO SHOW ME HIS LATEST FINDS. JACK, WHETHER HE KNEW IT OR NOT, ACTUALLY INSPIRED TWO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BIRCH HOLLOW LIAR'S CLUB, TO START COLLECTING OLD TOYS. IF EVER A TOY HAD A DEFENDER, IT WAS JACK KIERNAN. IF EVER A TOY NEEDED SOMEONE TO PLAY WITH IT, JACK WAS USUALLY ON-CALL. HE TAUGHT ME SOMETHING ABOUT COLLECTING, I'D NEVER REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT……AND THAT WAS THE INVESTMENT OF IMAGINATION. I MEAN, I USE IMAGINATION CONSTANTLY AS A WRITER, BUT AS A COLLECTOR? HOW SO?

A COUPLE OF TIMES I SNUCK-UP ON JACK AS HE WAS TESTING OUT THE WHEELS OF A NICE VINTAGE CORGI, OR DINKY TOY, AND I MUST ADMIT, WONDERING WHAT WAS GOING ON IN HIS HEAD. HE ACTUALLY HAD DIVORCED HIMSELF OF THE ADULT WORLD, I THOUGHT, AND IT WAS AS IF A CHRISTMAS MORNING, AND THE VEHICLE HE WAS PLAYING WITH, HAD COME FROM SANTA'S BAG. THAT'S HOW INTENSE HE WAS, CHECKING OUT THE WHEEL BALANCE, AND THE SMOOTH RIDE, AND BEING FASCINATED BY THE HIGH QUALITY OF THE TOY'S MANUFACTURE. IF THERE WAS A SMUDGE, HE TOOK CARE OF IT. HE'D PULL A LITTLE CLOTH OUT OF HIS JACKET POCKET, AND HOLD THE CAR UP TO THE LIGHT, SO HE COULD POLISH THE FINISH BACK TO A HIGH LUSTER. WHEN HIS WIFE WOULD COME INTO THE SHOP, TO FETCH HIM FOR THE TRIP HOME, SHE'D COME AROUND THE CORNER, AS JACK WAS MODELLING HIS LATEST FIND, AND SAY, "IS JACK SHOWING YOU HIS TOYS AGAIN TED." "AS A MATTER OF FACT, HE IS," I'D HAPPILY RESPOND. "BUT HE WON'T LET ME PLAY WITH THEM," I COMPLAINED. "PLAY FAIR JACK," SHE'D KID HIM. "HE GETS SMUDGES ON THEM DEAR," HE'D SHOOT BACK. THEY WERE A NICE COUPLE. I ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO THEIR COMPANY. BUT IT WAS JACK'S ENTHUSIASM FOR HIS COLLECTION THAT SET THE BAR FOR MY OWN COLLECTING INTERESTS. HERE WAS THIS RETIRED GUY, WHO COULD HAVE DONE SO MANY OTHER THINGS WITH HIS LIFE, LIKE TRAVELING THE WORLD, BUT THEY BOTH SEEM TO ENJOY THEIR TIME POKING AROUND MUSKOKA…….MAKING INTERESTING FINDS IN THE SECOND HAND AND THRIFT SHOPS, FROM ONE END OF THE REGION TO THE OTHER. ALL THE VENDORS KNEW JACK. THEY ALL KNEW WHAT HE LIKED, WHAT HE WOULD PURCHASE, AND IT WASN'T UNCOMMON TO HEAR ONE OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS SAY, "IF YOU SEE JACK, TELL HIM I'VE GOT A BAG OF DINKY TOYS SET ASIDE." WE DID THAT FOR ONE ANOTHER BACK THEN.

JACK JOINED IN WITH ME AND THE WEE LADS, TO COLLECT HOCKEY AND BASEBALL CARDS, BACK IN THE HALCYON DAYS OF THE EARLY 1990'S. GEEZ DID WE EVER HAVE FUN, BUYING AND TRADING CARDS…..AND EVEN SELLING A FEW NOW AND AGAIN. ONCE WE GOT A BOOTH AT A LOCAL CARD SHOW, AND WE MADE ABOUT TWO BUCKS EACH. IT WAS A LAUGH ANYWAY, JUST BEING INVOLVED. HE WAS ALWAYS SO ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THIS STUFF, AND HE MADE OUR TIME TOGETHER SO DARN MEMORABLE. EVEN THOUGH HE COULD BE A TAD GRUFF IF HE WAS HAVING A BAD DAY, WHICH USUALLY HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE MECHANICAL WORKINGS OF HIS REAL CAR, HE COULD SALVAGE AN OUTING WITH A LITTLE TOY CHAT…..REFERRING TO SOMETHING HE MAY HAVE READ ABOUT SOME SHOW THAT WAS UPCOMING, AND HE WANTED TO ATTEND. ALL I KNOW, IS THAT HE LOVED DOING THE COLLECTING-THING, AND I DON'T THINK IT EVER BROKE THE BANK, OR THAT IT EVER MADE HIM, IN ANY WAY, OBSESSIVE ABOUT ACQUISITION. HE HAD A CHILD'S DISPOSITION, AND HE TREATED THOSE OLD, WELL USED TOYS, WITH THE GREATEST RESPECT. IF SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME, THAT A TOY COLLECTOR LIKE JACK KIERNON, COULD CHANGE MY LIFE IN THE ANTIQUE PROFESSION, I WOULDN'T HAVE EVEN BOTHERED TO ANSWER. I LIKE ART. OLD BOOKS. PRIMITIVE PINE. AND OH YES, OLD TOYS. OF COURSE JACK INFLUENCED ME. I SURRENDERED ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I MET HIM.

WHEN WE CLOSED UP THE STORE IN THE MID 1990'S, AFTER I ACCEPTED A PUBLIC RELATIONS JOB, WITH THE CROZIER FOUNDATION, IT WAS HARD TO BID JACK ADIEU. ALTHOUGH WE BUMPED INTO EACH OTHER OFTEN AFTER THIS, IT JUST WASN'T THE SAME. I MISSED HIS TUTORIALS. I MISSED THE NEWS ABOUT HIS LATEST, GREATEST FINDS. WHEN I READ HIS MEMORIAL IN THE WEEKLY NEWS, A SHORT TIME AFTER, I WAS JUST STUNNED. I DROPPED THE PAPER IN MY LAP, AND JUST SAT THERE, AS IF A CORNERSTONE OF MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE, HAD JUST BEEN KICKED AWAY. JACK WAS A MENTOR. A LOAD-BEARING MENTOR. A COLLECTOR I DEPENDED ON TO ANSWER ALL MY DINKY TOY, CORGI, AND HOT WHEELS QUESTIONS. HE WAS THE GUY WHO HAD TOLD ME, IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS, THAT IT WAS PERFECTLY MATURE, AND ADULT-LIKE, TO LAPSE INTO PLAY WITH TOY CARS. HE WAS MY ADULT-YEARS PLAY DATE, WHO COULDN'T BE REPLACED. ALL I KNOW, IS THAT JACK HAD TRULY ENJOYED HIS RETIREMENT PRE-OCCUPATION. HE RESCUED A LOT OF DAMAGED TOY VEHICLES, CLEANED THEM UP, DID MINOR REPAIRS FROM THE SALVAGE OF PARALLEL JUNKER VEHICLES, AND WAS SO PROUD TO SELL THEM IN OUR SHOP. HE WAS A PARTNER IN THE OLD TOY BUSINESS. I LOVED THE GUY.

I'M NOT AS INTENSE A COLLECTOR AS JACK KIERNAN. FEW OF US COULD MEASURE UP TO HIS DEDICATION TO OLD TOYS. HE DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO SPEND ON THESE ITEMS, BUT HE WORKED LONG AND HARD SEEKING THEM OUT, AT FLEA MARKETS AND SHOPS FROM ORILLIA TO HUNTSVILLE, AND SOMETIMES BEYOND. HE ADORED THE ANNUAL BAYSVILLE WALK-ABOUT, A SUMMER SEASON STREET SALE, WITH MANY PARTICIPATING ANTIQUE VENDORS. HE MAY HAVE EVEN HAD A BOOTH AT ONE POINT. I KNOW HE TALKED ABOUT IT. THEY WOULD HAVE KNOWN JACK THAT'S FOR SURE. BET THEY'D HAVE LITTLE BOXES AND BAGS SET ASIDE FOR HIM TOO. HE WAS JUST THAT KIND OF PERSON, YOU WANTED TO DO BUSINESS WITH……BECAUSE BY GOLLY, IT WAS ALWAYS SO MUCH PLEASURE. HE TALKED THE TALK, AND HE WALKED THE WALK.

WHENEVER I'M OUT ON THE HUSTINGS, AND I SEE A LITTLE COLLECTION OF OLD TOYS, A FEW HOT WHEELS, MAYBE A DINKY, MATCHBOX, LESNEY OR CORGI, I NOT ONLY THINK OF JACK…..WELL SIR, I BUY THEM IN HIS MEMORY. MY GRANDCHILDREN ARE GOING TO LOVE TO PLAY WITH THESE TOY FINDS. I'LL FIND A WAY OF INSERTING A LITTLE STORY INTO THEIR PLAY-DAY, ABOUT THE OLD FELLOW I USED TO KNOW……WHO LOVED HIS CARS AND TRUCKS! THANKS JACK. I NEVER GOT TO SAY GOODBYE……HOPEFULLY THIS MESSAGE, FROM ONE OLD FART TO ANOTHER, WILL FIND YOU IN GOOD HUMOUR, UP THERE IN THE GREAT BEYOND, UNDOUBTEDLY REGALING SOME KINDRED SPIRIT, ABOUT THE NEAT OLD CARS AND TRUCKS OF ONCE……UPON A THOROUGHLY FULFILLED, PLAYFULLY CELEBRATED LIFETIME.

A FEW YEARS AGO, WHILE BROWSING THROUGH A SECOND HAND SHOP, HERE IN GRAVENHURST, I FOUND A LITTLE PIECE I KNEW HAD ONCE BELONGED TO JACK. I KNOW SO, BECAUSE IT STILL HAD THE PRICE TAG ON IT, THAT I PUT THERE, WITH JACK'S APPROVAL. IT WAS A LITTLE PLAQUE, WITH VARIOUS MINIATURE "CEREMONIAL SWORDS," MOUNTED ON IT…..WITH IDENTIFICATION WRITTEN BELOW EACH. HE LOVED THAT LITTLE PIECE, AS I RECALL NOW, BECAUSE TO HIM IT SEEMED AN ODDITY……SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T SEE AROUND THE ANTIQUE SHOP CIRCUIT. NOT A RARITY BECAUSE IT WASN'T RARE. NOT SOMETHING A HOME DECORATOR WOULD SEEK OUT, BUT POSSIBLY SOME KID WOULD THINK WORTHY TO HANG IN A BEDROOM…..AS A MOOD SETTER. WHO KNOWS. WHEN I SAW THE LITTLE PLAQUE, STUFFED INTO THE DISCOUNT BIN OF THIS SHOP, I HAD TO BUY IT AS A REMEMBRANCE OF JACK KIERNAN. EVEN AFTER MANY YEARS, AND THE BOYS HAVING BEEN VERY YOUNG AT THE TIME, THE WHOLE FAMILY, EVEN MY MOTHER (WHO HELPED AT THE STORE), REMEMBERED IT AS "JACK'S PLAQUE."

"DON'T GET ALL SENTIMENTAL ON ME TED," HE'D SAY, WITH A TWINKLING EYE, AND TRADEMARK GRIN. "NO CHANCE OF THAT JACK; IT'S JUST CLOSING TIME. SEE YOU SOON."



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