NESTING WITH THE SQUIRRELS

Whether we call them souvenirs, tokens, keepsakes, doo-dads, collectibles, dust collectors, hobbies or totems

there is something satisfying, very special about an object that cradles and nourishes a personal memory for us.

 We all collect these fascinating objects. Likewise we have to dust, rearrange and make space for "show and tell," displaying, sharing our sweet gentle remembrances of times past. We all have memories of where we acquired these personal objects. AND we all share that really big decision looming like a threatening black thunder cloud: WHERE IN THE WORLD WILL I PUT ALL OF THIS MEMORABLIA?

STORES, SHOPS, SOUVENIR KIOSKS, MUSEUMS, PEDDLERS ALL TEMPT US WITH THAT ONE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO REMEMBER SOMETHING, SOMEONE, OR SOMEPLACE THAT IS SPECIAL TO US. 

  A Memory Sifter

NO ONE, absolutely NO ONE is more guilty than I when it comes to picking up trinkets here and there, a pebble from a meandering creek, a half broken sand dollar from a seaside stroll.

Tiny travel books, Asian brushes,old watches long past their usefulness.

Miniature pottery vessels gifts from friends, petite silk embroidered slippers from Bali, embossed enamel boxes from Bavaria.

Swedish horses to cherished fallen BIRD NESTS

Batik stamps from Indonesia that were handled and used by artisans for decades.

Hand made pottery from distant villages.  Fascinating seashell fragments in worn putty gray hues.

A fallen feather or two will do.

And where will those fallen feathers, those purchases and "finds" of delight offer visual memories clouded by TIME. In our home we finally found the answer. A beautiful printer's display table full of wonderful little wooden cubbyholes to fill, rearrange, re-refill, add to, move about, tuck into...the perfect curio-table.  Yes there is something special about an object that holds a memory for us.