A Tick In Time

A Tick In Time
By Arleen M. Kaptur, Fri Dec 9th

Clocks have been around for a very long time. They vary from thesimpliest in design to one that is ornate and multi-functional.Colors abound and features are hand-set, digital, computerizedand little bit of everything in between. Whether you live in aone room apartment or a mansion with twelve bedrooms and servantquarters, clocks can be a very definite decorating strategy.They add color, motif, and a very basic function - to know whattime it is whenever you want to know.

In the kitchen, a clock can tell you if you have five minutes orthirty minutes to eat your breakfast and get out that door. Inthe bedroom, they are pounded on, thrown, and yes, can playjingles to get you up and around. In the foyer, you know whenyou left and when you cam back. Why even your car has one, youcarry one on your wrist or in your vest pocket, and no New Yearcelebration is complete without one.

Choose wooden frames to match or offset your furniture, choosecomical versions for children's rooms and family rooms (yes,Mickey and Minney can tell you when your favorite show is on),and in the bedroom you can go from floral to jeweled cases thatwill delight your eyes upon awakening. IN the kitchen, theyshould be large enough to be seen as someone sails through orthat you can glance at to make sure your cake will come outperfect. Of course, you do have a stove timer that can do thatbut we all are a bit skeptical and do like to check things outourselves.

Old and antique clocks and watches are true "heirloom"treasures. School clocks from bygone days make great accents torooms and they are large enough for everyone to enjoy. There areengraved and pocket watches that tick with the heartbeat ofgenerations long ago, but still keep time to the modern life weall lead. Clocks may change in their working parts because ofnew technology

but their goal is still the same - to tell you tothe minute what time it is. Alarm clocks have been the bad boyfor anyone who wants a couple extra minutes of sleep and theyare the champions for those whose big moment has arrived andtheir lives are changed forever.

Colors and casings are the main choices so have fun and pick andchoose or make your own. Yes, there are kits to build your ownand personalize it as a gift or a reminder of how innovative andcreative you are. This feat alone can spur you on to bigger andbetter projects and the ideas will just begin to flow, butwhatever time piece you choose, ENJOY! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2005January For more ideas and articles, please check Arleen's siteat http://www.arleenssite.com

About the author:Arleen has written numerous books and articles on home/family,especially on living a simple and fulfilling life- style.