I used to enjoy shopping a lot more than I do today. I don't know if it is because I seldom find anything to get excited about, there is little I need, things seem too expensive, and or shopping like so many other activities just ain't as much fun as it used to be. It seems there is an avalanche of junk all made in China sitting around the stores, awaiting the reach of the shopper. Really, things used to be much more interesting, at least that's how I remember it. Like this photo of an ornate wire type bottle with a little grill plate on which one can write a note, and into which one can put corks from the wine bottles. Really. But to carry this absurdity farther, this cork holder is $29, which you can see in the description in the upper left corner. Seriously, who would spend $30 on that? Obviously someone because it is a featured item at a little local gift boutique where I browse from time to time.
Wine is my preferred beverage; it's my go to alcoholic drink, so I accumulate wine bottle corks. I have always saved these corks and from time to time there is a decorative need for them; once in CA I lined a wooden tray with them and made a cork board which was handy near the computer for sticking notes and articles on. Several years ago a neighbor' daughter had a way to use wine corks for place card holders at her wedding reception and I was able to supply all she needed from my accumulation. I don't know why but it started long ago--once I had a huge glass fishbowl on our coffee table and filled it with corks. Today I store corks in a couple of different places, but the thought of spending $30 for a place in which to dump my corks, is beyond my comprehension.
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| Pounded aluminum pitcher of corks |
I still love a bargain, but with a house filled with stuff, determining the need to acquire bargains once spotted is more difficult. I have no transition children nearby trying to furnish a home, so there is no need for me to accumulate on behalf on anyone else. Anna Quindlen's recent column in the Sunday Parade magazine made me laugh out loud, I so related. If you missed it, here is a link--it's short and sweet and so very spot on. http://www.parade.com/news/2012/04/22-is-your-stuff-weighing-you-down.html in part--
"I didn’t have all this stuff when I was young and single. None of us did. It was a big deal to have blinds and coffee mugs.........At some point desire and need became untethered in our lives, and shopping became a competitive sport" Well, you gotta follow the link.
I do not like clutter and so at least with this big house, I can confine my miscellany to areas unseen if someone just stops in, like the downstairs study/computer/project room where works in progress reside. And so with being full up, comes a reluctance to look for more which has heavily curtailed my former shopping expeditions. Now I will search for unique items for gifts or for antiques, collectibles to add to any of my collections of angels, glassware, etc. but to just shop and buy China made merchandise, I have less interest all the time. And because we are filled to the brim, well that's a good thing .
Ha, ha, ha.
ReplyDeleteWe don't drink much wine, but I also save the corks. I had quite a collection, mostly thinking fishing floats and hobby crafts. But I let a lot of them go to Carol's grand kids. The other article brought back a couple of memories. First wife and I had many antique and rare Christmas ornaments from grand parents, some glass beaded strung on wire in various shapes. Miniatures too, tiny bells that tinkled and little glass horns that tooted among others. The oldest, wired ones, disappeared after one Christmas and I think they got mixed up in the waste paper when we were cleaning up and taking down the tree. When the kids were old enough, we started a tradition of allowing each one to select one ornament from that year's tree after our Christmas party. As they grew up and moved away the trees got smaller. Now, we haven't had a tree for the past few years. I too have a lot of 'junk' but not from shopping. Mostly it's stuff that was given to me or received from my parents. I have no real use for it but am loath to discard it because of the memories attached. Thinking I may start a new tradition of permitting the kids and grandkids to pick over the stuff and select an item each birthday or holiday celebration. I probably should start making labels with a brief description of the history of some of the older items. After my parents died, I hauled a lot of their stuff to AR. Spread the stuff out on tables then got my six kids together and they took turns selecting items until we ran out.
Tom
Pat, what a timely [post this one was as I am going through many of the same feelings. Things that were important before are items I can't wait to rid myself of now as we work on downsizing our possessions and living space. We just put our home on the market this week, after de-cluttering for weeks before. We know we've done alot, but seems there is more stuff to go. The article you referred to was a good one and so true.
ReplyDeleteWhat a HOOT!! So much true all in one topic!! Happy trails! Sandy
ReplyDeletePat, you won't believe this, but I feel that way too. For me to actually buy something, it has to be pretty special, and it's been awhile since I've seen something special enough to buy. If I had to rent a storage bldg to store extra stuff, I'd seek psychiatric help (or my husband would seek it for me)! Good post, and I enjoyed the article from Parade. laurie
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