I frequently write about my aversion to stuff. But living here at my parents I am surrounded by pictures, trinkets, and objects that invoke pleasant memories and emotions. A lot of these items have been on display from before I can remember but I never knew where they came from nor did I ever give a second thought about their uniqueness.
My sister Suz is living in Mexico City right now and is contemplating a move that is even farther from home. I told her that her life was much more exciting and "bloggable" than mine. She then argued that a summer in Mom's basement is actually interesting when you look around at all the random and sentimental objects on display, it is almost like living in a museum of our past.
These "Stuff Stories" are for her, to keep her entertained with randomness and perhaps feed into any homesickness she may be feeling.
I suppose there is a place for sentimental objects in a home but I wonder what makes an object sentimental. Does there always have to be a "story" behind an object or is it just the familiarity that makes it sentimental. As I have interviewed Mom few of the items I've captured have a story beyond "...well I bought it ____________".
Here's what I can remember about the bell lady pictured above. She sat on the big bookshelf in the "old new room", the book shelf that my Dad built when they were living in Boston, the bookshelf that my brother Doug was found asleep on top of at age 2, the bookshelf where the huge Wangsgard's roots and branches book was stored.
She actually is a bell and my mom said she bought her when they were living in England because she liked bells. That's it for the story but just looking at her makes me smile and chuckle too.
LOVE IT! I don't need to visit SLC to get a taste of home. This also could be done at Bear Lake. THere are some nicknacs on the shelf that have been there several years. UGGGHHH... now I really want to go to Bear Lake just thinking of all the junkies on the top of the bookshelf.... WAAAAAHHHHH
ReplyDeleteforget pyramids, museums in culture, what you have "down under" is some good stuff
I remember times when we were invited to a dinner party by a Boston Brahman family and others with extensive wealth ( which they never talked about) One dinner, the hostess had the table beautifully set and to her right was a silver bell which she would ring to call her maid to pour water or serve a new dish.
ReplyDeletealso, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin and Sister Elise Wirthlin brought us a crystal bell from Europe when they stopped for dinner with us in boston. (Newton,mass). I like to collect bells. I've lost a lot of them.
I remember the Bell Lady who sat in the "old new room" on the shelf. Love it!!! Al --it would be great if you document some of these random treasures. It is funny to hear the story behind this item. I never thought to ask about any of the things around the house they were all just there. Suz ---when we go to Bear Lake we will find junkie to blog. :)
ReplyDeleteAl, Great junk find! I didn't remember the bell exactly but knew that it was in the 'old new room.' ha! Keep the junk stories coming. It's great to hear the story behind the junk!
ReplyDeleteWell stuff is only junk when you forget its origigns or you lose pleasure in viewing it and remembering the circumstance it was acquired. I used to get something on every trip we took to remember it.
ReplyDeleteThis may have been a product of Mom's visits to the Portobello Road visits in London where all these stalls were set up and you could buy Victorian treasures. I must say, this is the first time I have seen the ?Bell LAdy" so it was hiding out unoticed by myself. It will be fun to calaouge all these little treasures.
Love Dad