Recently rediscovered in my cache of things inherited from my maternal grandparents is this simple series of paper-covered wood blocks. Depicting the forehead, eyes and ears, nose and mouth, and neck and upper chest, this vintage toy’s four interchangeable blocks can be arranged into dozens of kooky faces for pure entertainment and inspirational imagination.
It was a toy Grandma kept at her house for when my brother and I visited. She kept it in a small pasteboard box that originally contained an Airguide DIXON desk thermometer-hygrometer, which was undoubtedly my Pappy’s, and which is also undoubtedly lost to time.
But time was the very gift this vintage toy afforded: in my childhood, an escape to creative imagination and fine motor development in our chubby little fingers; and to my grandma, a respite to catch her breath from our incessant activity. And today, a snatch of time travel: back to the simple, carefree days at Grandma’s house.
