Today I'm grateful for the friends I've had in my life.

I just finished cleaning all the crystals on my chandelier that hangs in the dining room. Does it sound like I'm putting on airs? Well, good; just for a few minutes anyway. I took all the crystals off and then I got an old typewriter brush (remember typewriters? Those things with a carriage and ribbon and a return key or lever?) and brushed the whole fixture. I have to tell you the dust flew.  Then I put all the crystals in a bowl of ammonia to soak while I vacuumed up the dust, then laid all the bright crystals out to dry on a clean towel.

I've lived in this house for nine and a half years and this is only the second time I have taken all the crystals off the chandelier and cleaned them. This time I even discovered there were two replacement crystals hidden on the top in case one was broken. I vacuumed the whole fixture including the chain and cord that attaches to the ceiling. I then rehung the crystals.  Sounds like a major job, but this is the sweetest and smallest crystal chandelier I've ever seen. It only took me about half an hour to clean it and part of the time I was taking pictures of it.

So many people have gone "contemporary" these days. Most people would have traded this light fixture out for something in brushed silver and white globes or Frank Lloyd Wright style. The other fixtures in this house were so "Brady Bunch" that I've replaced most of them, but I tenaciously hang on to this one. This one reminds me of my good friend Carolyn who has graduated to glory and sings with the angels now. She had a chandelier a bit like this one and she used to clean it and make the crystals sparkle on a regular basis. Every little glittering crystal reminds me of her. If I ever move from here I think I'll take this chandelier with me.

Today I am grateful for all the friends I have had in my life and the ones I have now.