Writing assignment: choose an "ology"...
Although archeology is the study of the culture of ancient humans, it seems to also be akin to a vintage antique shop. I have considered myself an archeologist when I visit my sister, Paula, in Napa, CA. She is the quintessential archeologist of the family. Beginning at a very early age she took interest in family heirlooms and their history. She began collecting “collections” and for every birthday and Christmas she was given a book on some vintage item . . . clothing, glassware, jewelry, furniture; she scoured them like any archeologist at an ancient dig.
She has always been the “go-to”
gal with questions from her family and friends on garage sale finds, estate
sales, junk shops. When I’ve been with her on a “dig,” my first
gravitational pull is toward the books. If I find something interesting and
decide to buy it, she might say, “That’s too much; it’s not worth it.” In my
estimation, if I want this book, I’ll pay the $2! She looks for the bargain to
resell, having established zones in many antique shop corners. She even found a
silver ring in a cigar box full of buttons, screws, nuts/bolts, etc. for only
$3 at a yard sale.
On one of my visits, I took the liberty of
snapping several pictures of her vast collections and she told me that wasn’t
all of them. I decided I wouldn’t “dig” around in her 5,000-square foot
home, her seven double-car garages, or her two attics to uncover any more. Here’s
what I found:
Strawberry
glassware Crocheted hot pads Music boxes Dice
Rolling
pins Monkeys Lenox China Ivy
Roosters Milk glass Jewelry boxes Marbles
Measuring
cups Perfume bottles Cowboy boots Cows
Weeping
gold Buttons Clothing
labels etc.
Besides these generic collections, she has
taken into custody many of our family heirlooms for safekeeping, not that they
would ever wind up in a yard sale or junk shop. These are special to all of us
because they were hand-made by our parents and grandparents:
Trench
art from WWII Carvings Model-A restoration Smoking stand
Hand-made quilts etc.
And personal items such as eye glasses, an early 20th
century shaving brush and strap, old letters, cameras, a 1940s radio, a family
Bible, a 1940s fur coat, sun bonnet, apron, late 1800s stereoscope, desk, a mule
harness made into a mirror, etc.
Paula also buys sale items she doesn’t
need . . . just in case she or a friend might need it. I wanted a new box of
colored markers one day and told her I was going to Wal-Mart. She asked what I
needed and sent me upstairs to her attic. OMG, she had shelves full of school
supplies; pencils, tablets, crayons, binders, etc. After that I learned to go
shopping at Paula’s Attic and Antique Collectibles (her business card). I also
go shopping at Paula’s Boutique for many of my blouses. I am her “go-to”
hand-me-down gal as well. I don’t think I’ve bought any clothes in years!
Yes, I can go to my sisters on an
archaeology dig and find just about anything I want. Thank you, Paula, sweet sister of mine!
P.S.
My sister's house burned to the ground in October 2017 from a fire that swept down into the Napa Valley. She saved a few of the family heirlooms but nothing else. It was a like a death in the family for all of us! 😒
P.S.
My sister's house burned to the ground in October 2017 from a fire that swept down into the Napa Valley. She saved a few of the family heirlooms but nothing else. It was a like a death in the family for all of us! 😒
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