The Wall Mounted Corded Phone

I just wanted a phone for the kitchen.  When we moved into our house many years ago there was a wall mounted corded phone.  We kept it, for about a month and then replaced it with a cordless phone with caller ID.  When that phone broke, we replaced it with a cheaper version.  I guess the cheaper you go, the easier they break because we’ve been through a fair share of wireless phones for the kitchen.

Why even keep a landline these days, right?  Well, we do for two reasons.  One, Bob works for the cable company, so we get it for free. Two, it’s the line my mom prefers to call.  Yes, I could tell her to call my cell, but hey, see reason one. 

So, fed up with the wireless phone in our kitchen not sitting right, not working right, wires everywhere, I went back to old faithful.

The wall mounted corded phone. 

No caller ID isn’t really a problem for two reasons.  One, the virtual answering machine picks up after two rings, and since I haven’t figured out how to change that, I’ve never gotten to the phone in time to even see who was calling let alone answer the phone anyway.  Two, I already know that most likely it’s my mom. 

There are downfalls of course to the wall mounted corded phone.  One call to the insurance company to dispute a bill began with an 18-minute wait time to speak to a representative.  18 minutes standing at the kitchen table.  All appointments are scheduled standing at the kitchen table.  Awkward, but doable. 

In general, though, the phone meets my needs.  It alerts me that someone is trying to reach me or sell me something, so check the voicemail. 

What I didn’t expect with our new wall mounted corded phone was the excitement one little girl would possess over such an item.

Giddy when she saw the phone, Catelyn picked up the receiver and put it to her ear.  She twirled the wire around her finger.  She giggled with her pretend girlfriend on the other end of the line.  She entwined her body in the wire and yelled, “OMG!  I know, right?!”

Catelyn saw the phone and acted out every scene she had ever seen involving a wall mounted corded phone.  Which fits.  Catelyn is my little character.

One of the fun things about Catelyn is that she creates characters.  Then she goes into character.  Joanne the secretary, the gossipy girlfriend, Sofifa the Russian spy.  They all have their own accents, mannerisms and hilarious dialogue.  She stays in character and will have you rolling with her witty conversation.  She is very clever.

This gift of hers makes sense when I think about it.  Declan scripts YouTube videos.  Half the time I have no idea what he’s saying or what his scene is from.  Catelyn scripts social traits and can combine them into a character she has created on her own.  She has keen eye on the details that make a character whole.  Always has:

Due to the problems Catelyn has had in social situations, she took to mimicking or social scripting.  She’s good at being an actress. This isn’t uncommon.  Famous actors diagnosed with Asperger’s, actors like Dan Akroyd and Darryl Hannah have both reported their problems in social situations.  Both also enjoy acting – being someone else in a role.

With this gift, we’ve always encouraged Catelyn in the direction of theater.  She’s done her share of workshops and classes.  Catelyn enjoys performing in our church plays.  She does well too!  But when it comes to school plays, Catelyn has always hesitated, stating she doesn’t want to look stupid.

I am hopeful that we can encourage Catelyn to pursue her acting.  That the tween concern of “looking stupid” doesn’t take too great a hold on her.  Because she has an amazing gift and a lot of talent to share with others.