Allison Family Heirlooms
My husband, Chris, and I are lucky because his parents have many treasured family heirlooms that they have been gradually passing down to their children. Chris' father is the great grand nephew of William Boyd Allison, who served in the House of Representatives and Senate for Iowa from 1863 to 1902. My father-in-law was nice enough to give us the Memorial Addresses book that contains all of the speeches given at his 1909 memorial service by over 30 politicians and colleagues. We also have a few pieces of Allison family silverware, complete with an engraved "A".
I also keep an eye out for William B. Allison items on eBay. So far, I've found his autograph, a cigar box with his picture on it, a political button, and a "William Allison for President" ribbon badge (although he never ended up running for president).
We have one more cherished family treasure that I'd like to share with you. My in-laws were so thoughtful and generous in entrusting us with this handmade Peter Heater. I could lie and say that it belonged to the esteemed William Boyd Allison, but I don't want to ruin the family name and crush the hearts of WBA's beloved Iowans. It was given to my husband's grandfather in the 1930's. I'm assuming (hoping, really) that it was never actually used. But who knows.
It is sewn onto a piece of cardboard, along with the accompanying poem, sung to the tune of "Happy Days are Here Again":
When the winter chill hangs o'er the land
There is nothing that could be sweeter
Than the day you bring out
The long underwear and
The crazy Peter Heater.
With balls enclosed in snuggy wool
And prickering string all tied
One can survive the winter gale
When better men have died.
The old blue nose will glow like fire,
Aged limbs no longer teeter,
And mama too is all pepped up
About the Peter Heater.
Chris and I are planning to make an amendment to our will to ensure that it ends up in the right hands. We want to avoid an Anna-Nicole-Smith-style family battle over a knitted cock sock.
Vulgar and amusing at the same time! How do you explain what it is to Finn? A "fancy" coat for his GI joe?
Posted by:Farmerswife | March 02, 2007 at 02:07 PM
I'm sitting here at my desk at work, sputtering with laughter!!! I have never heard of that kind of "knitwear" :)
Posted by:Kim | March 02, 2007 at 02:48 PM
This is too funny. LOL
Posted by:Sarah | March 02, 2007 at 03:41 PM
the ribbon badge is gorgeous, i love the colors and especially that he was your relative!
Posted by:julie | March 02, 2007 at 09:59 PM
This couldn't possibly belong to a Allison!! It is much too small!! It belongs to the "teeny,weeny Burke Family"
Posted by:Hurt relative | March 02, 2007 at 10:43 PM
Hi, I'm just blog hopping, hope you don't mind me looking around, I'll definitely be back :-)
Posted by:Amy | March 03, 2007 at 06:01 PM
I remember being a teenage and my grandfather got a knitted peter heater at a birthday party for him. It was the most horrifying moment of my life. I did not even want to know that my grandfather had a peter, let alone needed a heater for it. Clarice
Posted by:clarice | March 04, 2007 at 10:18 PM
OMG, this cracks me up! I never would have dreamed that this even existed. What an interesting em...family heirloom.
Too funny!
Posted by:Eren | March 05, 2007 at 07:15 PM
So cool.....
Ever need a gift for someone that has everything???
This is just the kinda thing I have been looking for. My Uncle's birthday is coming soon and this will be perfect!
Hmmmm...I wonder what my 93 year old grandma will say when I ask her to make it for me? heehee
Posted by:Vickie | March 19, 2007 at 10:48 AM
OMG I nearly choked to death on my drink reading the poem. You crack me up!
Corinna--scrapbooker for hire
read my blog www.myscrapbooklife.com
Posted by:Corinna Lyons-Revello | August 31, 2007 at 11:06 AM
aw good god!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
THAT IS HYSTERICAL!!!!
"knitted cock sock"
I am saving this as my all time favorite blog post ever in reference to why junk collecting is funny and cool.
you and your in-laws are awesome.
Posted by:jpebbles | September 03, 2007 at 02:45 PM
I am cracking up so badly right now...........this is hilarious!
Posted by:kat | September 21, 2007 at 05:28 PM
What a HOOT! I'm so glad you linked back to this post!! I just discovered your blog about 2 months ago, and I hadn't gone too far back into the "archives"... just think what I would have missed!!! :-)
Posted by:Teresa | September 27, 2007 at 01:30 PM
You've just given me the best start to the day! Brilliant!
Posted by:Caroline Bletsis | October 04, 2007 at 01:59 AM
I am trying so hard not to start laughing out loud. I would startle my co-workers. oh sh*t. this is too funny. oh god. i got here from molly chicken.
Posted by:susan | October 05, 2007 at 03:05 PM
Oh my Gawd !
That is the most fantastic thing EVER.
: )
Posted by:lyn | December 19, 2007 at 05:02 PM