Small Home Gazette, Fall 2017
My Time Capsule
During our kitchen remodel, I found myself wishing my wall’s studs could speak to me about the past. So I decided to speak to the future by putting a small time capsule in the walls. I researched time capsule ideas. Friends also offered suggestions for what to include: Trump tweets, emoji dictionary, a fidget spinner, photos of my garden, before and after photos of our house renovations, and a photo of the Minneapolis skyline. Also, an old cell phone, a CD, a DVD, coins, an old license plate, a good summer book, and maybe a bill for the past winter’s heat or summer’s air conditioning.
Twinkies and McDonald’s chicken nuggets were independently suggested as items that might remain edible for future rehabbers.
I had grand ideas of making a special time capsule. In the end, the day workers were coming to put up the new drywall arrived, and I’d managed to collect only postcards of the Minneapolis and St. Paul skylines. Before heading to work that morning, I hurriedly pulled out a gallon-sized zip-lock baggie and inserted the postcards, coins and a dollar bill, the most recent Twin Cities Bungalow Club newsletter, and a handwritten letter. In the letter, I shared how much we love our home; our wish that the note finders felt the same way; and commentary about current events.
We also added a postscript, which was a suggestion from a friend: “We buried our fortune in the backyard.”
I hope whoever finds the time capsule knows the smiley face emoticon implies humor.
