Old Fashioned?

Mom’s apple pie. Rocking chairs. The Ford Corporation’s Mustang.  The ‘Little Black Dress’. What do these have in common?  Tried and true.  Classic.  Longevity.  Staying power.

The description, ‘old fashioned’ often causes us to quickly dismiss a way of thinking or an object without even giving it a fighting chance. For others, the term, ‘old fashioned’ brings to mind comforting, fond memories of childhood, family, or a special possession we owned.

When the tattered,  ’home-grown’, handwritten Old New England recipe for J.R.Liggett’s shampoo bar first fluttered to the ground  from the pages of an old recipe book  he had discovered, without a doubt, I would imagine that besides his curiosity, the words, ‘old fashioned’ came to mind. A shampoo bar?  Sounds like an odd concept, but upon consideration, an idea that we might quickly and foolishly dismiss, turns out to be quite ingenious.

Made 100% by hand the ‘old fashioned’ way ( I love the hand-crafted evidence on the bar surface–the occasional nick or dent–truly hand-made!), from the meticulous measurements to mixing, heating, pouring, and cutting, J.R.LIGGETTS’ Shampoo Bars have been tried by thousands and found to be true… true to his ‘down home’, ethical, honest business practices, and his philosophy of conscience and integrity—ideas highly valued by our parents, grandparents, and those before them. Values that are still highly desirable and sought-after today. Great values and a strong work ethic never go out of style.

Wisdom, practicality, stretching our dollars… all are closely held beliefs that aren’t subject to trends or fads, they are beliefs that are “in style”.  Wisdom is given to those who seek, think, explore, discern, and learn.  J.R. designed a small, functional wooden rack to rest the shampoo bar on and to keep it dry between use–no languishing in water to slowly waste away… a practical and useful way to stretch your hard-earned money… to make it go further–for longer.

We are reminded of the familiar adage:  “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”  Old fashioned? Yes… happily and thankfully so.

Joy E. Richter  2011                              ©copyright 2011 J.R.LIGGETT LTD