Just buy me something old, something used. New is nice....don't get me wrong but it just doesn't have the same charm. I have said before there is that certain "where were you" and "who did you know" that comes with something old.
I grew up in Williston, ND and a short Sunday drive away was the town of Hanks. I think while I was a child the population was 9. It had become a ghost town. A few relatives lived there and the old school was set up as a museum. I would visit that museum every summer when they had the big gathering, inside where miniature settings of life past, sectioned off with rope. I would wander from the school house display to the kitchen, full of cast iron cookware, wooden ironing boards and enamel ware and....
Every chance I got, I would sneak away and rummage through the abandoned homes. I really don't know what happened, some of those houses were left just like they were when someone lived in them. Everything in place, beds made, dishes in the cupboards yet covered in years of dust and dirt. Just left that way.
My favorite place to visit must have belonged to a widower, I can't remember his name now but he had lots of books and a small bedroom that I would sit in. I sat on the dusty bed and looked in amazement, his name was inscribed in the cover of all those books. So why did he leave them here? Why didn't anyone want them? I tried to nab a couple treasures but my grandma made me put them back.
I wish she would have let me keep them.
Perhaps I was born with a love of old things. Things that seemed to have outlived their purpose to me were an extension of those who left them behind.
Can you look at this photo and smell the coffee? Makes me think of my grandma, clinking in the kitchen, always very early. The smell of bacon and eggs wafted through the home. It was a cool morning and the heater hadn't yet kicked on. A small child in a robe and slippers wakes from a deep slumber and makes her way to the davenport covering herself with a hand made afghan. Sun begins to break and cast its light through the heavy drapes. Breakfast is ready.
Later,
flour dances through the sifter onto the counter. Grandma now rolls out pie crust for dinner, the day has been long and busy and it is only 11 am.
Memories like this lived in those houses and,
Years later....they are covered in dust?
yes, these are just things
they are not important
what is important are the people that used them and the memories that dwell within them.
The stories they tell.
I hope today you tell a story, one that will be retold. A story lives on in ways you are unaware of.
Tell a good story today.
Sit in the sun, smell the coffee, listen to the children playing. Smile when you do the dishes, hug someone. Live and make memories that will live on when your things are covered in dust.
Feathered Nest Friday
Hodge Podge Friday
Funky Junk
Table Top Tuesday
Show and Tell Friday
Under the Table and Dreaming
Show Off Your Cottage Monday
*this post has been modified from it's original publication
blessings and thanks for visiting
25 comments:
Love the old suitcase vignette, Shannon. I have mama's old rolling pin with the red handles and I remember grandma having the enamelware and of course, an old percolator.
Mildred @ Hollyberry House
This is a very sweet post, Shannon...you have a great memory for detail. I feel like I was in one of those old homes. too!
The suitcase and how you have filled it is so inspiring. I have been on the lookout for one to do a little vignette in, but haven't been lucky so far. I'll keep trying!
XO,
Jane
Shannon, What a walk down memory lane. Such a great and sentimental post!
I loved spending hours in my grandmother's attic. It was filled with many wonder a child would find intersting and being there was a bit of an adventure!
YOur "vintage" goodies look so up-to-date as a vignette! The flowers even look better in them.
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This is a perfect post. I love your vignette, and you are so right, I love the history of old things. Your story of the old town and the houses is so touching. I use to wander through this half burned out house and dream of buying it and restoring it when I was a child. I could just see all of the left treasures and wanted so much to bring them back to life. I guess that's why I love the antiques that I have so much. Fabulous post, I so enjoyed it. Hugs, Marty
i have a major obsession developing with vintage suitcases! they are just too beautiful in all their unique, crafty uses.
I love your kitchen vignette!
Shannon, I love you vignette, I love your words more, another reason why your blog is one of my must read personal favourites xx Ava
The old houses no one wants, we want them or at least to poke around in. In Tn it seems we have so many charming abandon old run town houses. with keep out signs everywhere. Great post, love how your see the story in your treasures.
Lisa
I love old things too, especially if they belonged to my grandmother. I love your old suitcase! I remember sifting flour with a flour sifter just like that when I was a kid!!
Kitchen-cute! I love those rolling pins--I missed out on a vintage little metal wine rack that would look sweet holding rolling pins--I'm on the look-out again. Lovely post!
Oh my goodness -- I SO enjoyed your post! I just can't believe that those houses were abandoned and left just as they were when people lived there!! Facinating, creepy, intriquing, sad . . . all rolled into one! I love your vignette -- wish I had a larger kitchen to do something like that but I'm pinning it to my Pinterest board ANYWAY!
That was beautiful Shannon. Your post brought a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat. :)
You are such a great writer!
Great pictures too...
((Hugs))
Laura
What a beautiful post and a pleasure to read. I love your vignette! Most of the things you used bring back sweet memories of my grandmother and Mom.
So glad you shared at Hodgepodge Friday!
Your kitchen vignette is lovely! I agree, I'd much rather have something old -- with character and history -- than something new and shiny.
I loved reading about your childhood adventures in the town of Hanks. What a unique experience to find those homes frozen in time and to have had the luck to explore them safely and full of wonder!
So glad I discovered your blog through your linkup at Hodgepodge Life!
New follower and fan,
Jenn/Rook No. 17
How pretty! My favorite item in there is the sifter.
Popping over from Chic on a Shoestring!
Love your vignette, especially the rolling pins with red handles!
great post, I just love old stories, and old things. I have an old rolling pin with red handles! :-)
I love this vintage kitchen vignette. I have a collection of old rolling pins and though I don't bake very much, I love the way they look scattered in vignettes around the kitchen and breakfast nook.
Dawn... The Bohemian
Love your vignette. I love old items as well. I am not sure exactally why I love the old items, except I think I have a love for large family (don't have a large family) and the era for which large families lived together (like the Walton's).
Thanks for sharing.
Michele
What a lovely post. I enjoy your thoughts on the sentimental side of life.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
Gorgeous photos and a vignette to boot. I just scored two vintage suitcases, and this is great inspiration!
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Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous.. what a beautiful way to display your lovely items! Hope you will share with my Pink Hippo Party @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2011/07/pink-hippo-party-37.html
So pretty. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.
I love this- sooo darling!! What a great idea! Thanks for linking up at FNF! :)
Love your vignette, love the story and the memories. My eyes glistened. As you, I also love all things old, rusted, weathered, chipped, you name it. I feel the essence of those that owned them before abides in them and is transported to all of us. That's all we leave after all, our essence. I have created my own, hoping they stay on with my children.
Thanks for sharing,
Diddie