I said goodbye to an old friend, today. A loyal friend for nearly thirty years, through moves and changes and chaos. Old Friend has just kept being there for me and kept working. This is its story.
In 1990, after three years of living in Mexico, I returned to the United States and moved to Washington D.C. My son, Stephen, was living there, too, which made the move easier.
After renting a studio apartment off DuPont Circle, I retrieved my life in storage and set up a home. While I had a lot of books, I did not have a bookcase, so Stephen, being a tool man, build a sturdy one, 3 1/2′ x 6′, with copious room for my copious books, and with a gap in the middle of about 20″, which he filled with the Orion television for my birthday.
When I moved to Santa Fe three years later, I moved both television and bookcase and set up housekeeping in a 600 sq. foot adobe in Seton Village outside the city. Miraculously, the bookcase fit between the front door and the steps down to the kitchen. I stayed in Santa Fe for five years. A record from my usual three years here and then move pattern.
After Santa Fe, I came to Kansas City, Cliff and I bought a house, and the Orion went on the same bookshelf in the large bedroom which also serves as my workout room. A year later, Stephen moved here. By that time, we’d dispensed with the rabbit ears, hooked up cable, and attached a video player for the years of saved workout videos I own…which, as a matter of convenience, are also stored on the bookcase. We have, in fact, years of movie and workout videos. A VCR, even in this day and age, is valuable.
And now we come to this summer’s birthday. I came home from some errand or another and went to the bedroom to change clothes, only to discover a new 19″ flat screen sitting where the old Orion used to sit. Stephen had once more bought a television for my birthday. The new flat screen came with a new remote, which I also had to learn, but that’s another story.
It has taken a month for me to release the old television, however. It sat in my writing room, until today, we finally carried it to Best Buy for recycling.
You see, that Orion held stories–Stephen and me watching t.v. as we ate a meal together at my little studio apartment in D.C.; watching “Nothing Sacred” with Cliff in the adobe, a favorite television show, alas no longer with us, either, as we snatched a quick dinner before evening services. Me sitting in front of the television one year, crocheting stars for Christmas ornaments, fire in the fireplace, which ornaments I sent out to family and to my best friend, Cynthia, who is no longer with us. The Orion was part of that history.
………
We moved the Orion out to the back seat of the car. I kept trying to give it away; although it still worked, no one wanted it. I could not just trash it.
And so my dear husband, who understands my connection to memories, said, “Why don’t you take a picture? Then you can keep it.”
So we drove to Best Buy, turned the Orion to face me, and I took our picture. Together, one last time.
..
janetsunderland.com 
Even my new Smart TV is a good friend and endless supplier of lessons to learn as I figure out how things work, or don’t. I love your story of how Orion fit into your life for so many years. Wonderful tie-in with today’s technology in the picture your husband took of the two of you at the end.
I was so happy not to read a story about a friend (human) who died. 🙂 I, too, have “things” to which memories are attached and as such, are difficult to get rid of. They certainly can be difficult to get rid of. Enjoyed the photo.
janet
Great picture and unusual story who writes about old TVS 😶? oh .. Janet of course. And why not? Just the other day we were talking of the family owned radio-box ‘His Master’s voice’ around which we gathered to listen to live commentaries of man’s first step on the moon. And the gramophone/record player with the trumpet looking speaker which invited everyone to ‘Rock around the Clock’ – or crooned about Bellafonte’s Island song. They were both part of of our history, and I guess future generations might like to hear the stories ..so it is nice that you wrote about Orion who was a part of an era when things lasted for years.
Would be great if we had room to keep all these … 🤔or may be not. We may get too attached to things. It is enough to have the memories … and the very creative photo.
Cheers.
Thank you sooooo much, Rose. Ya know, we have a big old house that keeps so much stuff….basement to attic…from all three of us who live here. I just have to begin clearing out somehow or another. However, since all three of us have lived and traveled and collected…well, how do you get rid of memories of places, even if they are small trinkets… mercy.
I loved the name you gave your family radio… His Master’s Voice. Perfect! Now you can write a memory story too!
Wow! a family owned HIs Master’s Voice! I loved that. And a record player with a trumpet speaker. Those are classics. Okay, Rose. It’s time to write your memory story!!
Yeah … maybe I will follow your inspiration 🙂 You are fortunate tho you have a picture to treasure along with the memory.
I think you made the right choice on this one, Janet. It’s hard to let go when you’re still holding on.
Time to make new memories,
Ω
Thanks, Allan. I’m not sure yet how to make memories with this flat screen… LOL. Well, I have one. Me, standing with remotes in hand, calling my son up to help me figure out which button I’d inadvertently hit which made the picture go away completely! Oh. Hit the 3 button. Okay.
Hah! I know what you mean about new devices and their remotes. Someone needs to design a casual bandolier to wear and keep the remotes handy for us as we go about the house.
Ω
Allan, I didn’t have a link below your last comment, but I absolutely love the idea of a bandolier with pockets for remotes! Although I’d need to add a couple more pockets: one for the instructions and another for my glasses so I can read instructions!!
Excellent ideas. I overlooked the essential first steps on this one.
Ω
Hi. I was wondering what the photo is all about. I found out, of course, in the final paragraph.
That TV served you well. It was built to last.
Neil S.
Thanks Neil. It’s a mystery photo for sure…as much mystery as owning all the stuff we seem to hold on to.
A moving story. I, too, attach memories to objects that played key roles in my life. I like this picture and tribute to your old friend Orion!
Thank you, Susan. I’m grateful Cliff suggested taking the photo. New technology catching old technology. Odd how hard it was to get rid of that old set.