
Photo credit DOCUMERICA by Patricia D. Duncan
Something strange happens to women once they reach 50, and I’m not talking about hot flashes and sagging skin. I am referring to those female family members who have an overabundance of stuff and feel the sudden need to unload it on me.
I do not need wooden napkin rings circa 1974 nor a pilly afghan in the trendy avocado green of that decade. A framed print seems like a generous offering, until I learn that it sits beneath cracked glass. Sweaters and velvet jackets thick with dust and the odor of mothballs? No thanks. Old dented tins, used shopping bags, vinyl placemats, and assorted ceramic chachkas—does my home look like a flea market?
I have relatives who want to get rid of things. I understand that. But they assume the items are too good to throw away. Yet I suspect they also realize their knick-knacks aren’t desirable enough to sell, not even to the eBay-obsessed, so I’m the solution to their clutter.
So what do I do? Refuse the third PBS tote bag I’ve been offered?
No, I graciously accept it with a “thank you” and watch their eyes light up with pleasure, knowing their treasure has found another home within the family. And then I tuck it away into a dark basement closet, awaiting my 50th birthday when I can hopefully dump the stuff on my nieces.
But a few months ago for Picture Book Idea Month, Susan Taylor Brown told us how she finds inspiration: collecting “junk” in an idea box, and then imagining the story behind the brooch, feather or piece of iridescent ribbon she’s found.
So perhaps collecting chachkas isn’t such a bad experience for a writer. In fact, maybe I’ll start asking neighbors to unload their trash–I mean treasure–on me.
9 comments
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March 4, 2010 at 10:59 am
Dana
Looks like a story to me! Good luck & get out the mothballs…. 😉
March 5, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Susan Taylor Brown
Ha! You never know what you might find that will generate a story and if not, you can get revenge when you pass it on. I used to ask my daughter if she wanted certain things from me and she said mom, if you don’t want it, send it to me. I can’t say no that way and you don’t have to know what I do with it. 🙂
It is killing me that after a couple of cross-country moves I have lost a lot of boxes of paper things that I would kill to have now for my collage work. So if your relatives offer you a box of old letters from people you don’t care about or postcards or things like that, let me know. I’ll send you the postage. hahaha
March 6, 2010 at 9:32 am
Barbara
I am a collagist too, Susan. I agree being careful what you throw out.
I have several old letters and cut outs of original fashion drawings of the 1920’s and turn of the century. I am debating putting them into collage or keeping them the way they are.
I am a bit obsessed with that time period in general and the clothes that women wore then.
Obviously, this does not lend itself to picture books. But is would make a great collage if I work at it.
And as for hot flashes and sagging flesh. Not this chic. I look and feel like a thirty year old flapper. I prefer to age gracefully. 🙂
Oh. And no more tote bags. How many does one need? Unless you are filling it with stuff you want to chuck.
March 8, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Becky
This is why I love roaming through thrift and antique stores.
March 10, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Christina Rodriguez
Well, if you’re protecting their feelings by accepting their stuff than at least you can feel good about that. I donate my own stuff to goodwill all the time (I like to live light and have limited space in my condo). My goal for my golden years is to leave this world with as much stuff as I came in with.
March 11, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Katia Raina
Hey Tara! I do this too!! I have a box filled with all kinds of weird things, from old Russian children’s soap (which surprisingly still smells good!) to rocks and bird feathers. I have beautiful little glass containers and bizzare picture cutouts, an empty mustard jar and a vial filled with strong cumin-type spices. Even my daughter knows, this is mama’s “writing box.” 🙂
Loved your post.
Katia
March 11, 2010 at 10:49 pm
anitanolan
Tara –
Awarded you a One Lovely Blog award!
anita
March 14, 2010 at 9:05 am
Susanne Drazic
Great post. I’ve come up with the beginnings of a few stories from some of the “treasures” I’ve been given. Never know what will give us inspiration for a story. I do have lots of “treasures” I need to get rid of though. I wonder who I can pass them on to??
March 29, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Jeanne Balsam
What if you had a yard sale with all this stuff, and instead of people paying you, they had to tell you the story that they imagine goes with the chotchka they really like? All you have to do is write down the story and give it away. Then later you can sort through the stories and maybe you’ll really have something!
Hmmm … and I guess you should photograph the “treasures” beforehand.
Who knows?
Jeanne