Stuff Stoires: Bear Lake Stuff

1. Seed rooster picture that blocks the broken window. This may have been left from the original owners.


2. Book end from the same bookshelf as the bell lady.


3. Clock from Grandma and Grandpa's house.


4. Original phone.


5. Tin wall plaque I made in 7th grade shop.

This is a special post just for you Suz - I think you love Bear Lake with all its quirks more than any of us.  There is just one photo I forgot to take, the 64 oz (actually it may have more capacity) Mavericks mug.  I believe it is just as much as a farm house icon as these other items. 

Stuff Stories: Bird

Growing up this bird was always around our kitchen area, sometimes on a shelf or sometimes by a pile of paperwork.  Even though my parents live in a different home now this same object is found in very similar location, on a shelf by a pile of paperwork.

As a child I always wondered whether it was a real bird and how it got inside. I think my children wonder the same thing considering this home is full of real animal trophies. I have on occasion witnessed them quietly examining this little bird.

Here's the story: Grandpa gave it to Mom many years ago. She admitted she didn't like it because it was kind of creepy but since it was a gift from her father she couldn't part with it. It is now a kitchen icon. 

Stuff Stories: Bell Lady

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.