Created 22 Jan 2019  

The Story of Bubbe and Her Noah's Arks

It must have been 1986 or 1987 when I decided to make a Noah’s Ark for my grandsons to play with. I would make it out of wood and large enough for the boys to enjoy. I didn’t live near them and so didn’t see them often. I wanted to make them something special, to show them how special they were in my eyes and heart.

In those days the roles of men and women were clearly defined and followed. This rule “a woman cooks and a man carves” was followed in every home. In that time a woman cooked the meat and carried it to the table. Then a man would (cut) the meat. I was prepared to ignore this rule. I was prepared, determined, to carve wood!

It took me two weeks to make my first animal. I had to draw it. I had to saw it out of a board. Sand it. Paint it. So many steps. So much work ...

When I showed it to my husband, he smiled and told me that it was great! He laughed a little and said, “Only two weeks to make one animal. At that rate (speed) you should finish it by the time we have great-grandsons.”

I laughed politely at his joke and early the next morning I went out and bought an electric saw and an electric sander.

The ark was so big and heavy that I had to mounted on wheels. The boys and I talked about the ark on the telephone. They wanted an animal for every letter of the alphabet. They had lots of suggestions. We agreed on A. A was an aardvark. Ape was easier. They got me. They knew about two different apes. B? They named two types of beavers. B they have they had to have the brachiosaurus and brown rats and buffaloes. C included camels, cats, chickens, cows, and crocodiles. Some letters were harder. We could only think of one I. Ibex. One J. Jaguar. One K. Kangaroo. One N. Numbat. One U. Unicorn. One V. Vulture. One X. Xenops (a bird) One Y. Yak. One Z. Zebra. We drew a blank for Q. I had forgotten about quails. The answer I came up with was quagga. The quagga was in extinct animal. It was half zebra and half horse.

In general the family encouraged me verbally in my ark building. My favorite cousin, Ted Bloom went a step further. He and his wife, Gloria, bought me a three dimensional card, a swing card by Santoro Company of London. I still cherish that card and their support.

Soon my ark collection began. Whenever my loved ones saw an ark, they thought of me and bought the ark for me. They found them in thrift stores, in dollar stores, and in antique stores. They came in all sizes and were made out of all materials. I have been given wooden arcs and pottery, porcelain arcs. I have two wax arks with wicks (in case you want to light them up.) Two of my friends each bought me one in the dollar store. I have arks that are nightlights for a child's room. I have a whole shelf of Noah's Arks Lamps. I have paintings and quilts where the ark and Noah are the subject. I have three Noah’s Ark music boxes that work and two that don’t. My cleaning lady bought me two arks. Aunt Deb and Aunt Ruth are the two biggest contributors to my collection. On my last birthday they gave me a watch.  The band is composed of a Noah’s ark and the animals boarding the ark. 

Who can beat that? 

I had seen model boats in bottles. I loved them. I read articles on how to build a boat in a bottle.  I really wanted a Noah’s ark in a bottle for my collection. I was willing to spend almost any amount for a Noah’s Ark in a bottle, but I couldn’t find a single one. Finally I gave up on the hunt and proceeded to make my own. It didn’t turn out too badly.

It’s been more than 30 years that I have collected Noah's Arks. The last time I counted I had 237 arcs. I wonder if I have 250 now. I am afraid to count. Strangers must think I am a Meshuganar (a crazy person) to have so many arks.

I hope my great grandchildren will love Noah and his ark.

I can’t believe it! My grandson Sam just called with good news! He is coming to visit and he is bringing me a menorah that features Noah, his Ark, and animals.