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.
