Tuesday 8 September 2009

One man's meat.........

It always amazes me at flea markets what odd things there are for sale! Of course, there are plenty of items for the colletors to pore over - World War II memorabilia, horse brasses, jewellery, old tools, whatever takes your fancy.





But there are some really odd bits and bobns around! Who would want an old galvanised bath with a bottom so rusty it would fall straight out? Though I suppose you could plant flowers in it. Or old oil cans? Plant pots and a whole lot of slatted boxes? Or a big box full of old, rusty mincers? And that is just for starters!

I suspect most of this sort of thing comes from house clearances. When you have to clear a house out completely, especially if it was the home of an elderly relative, it is just amazing what people will keep in case it comes in useful! Having done this three times I now try to clear out my "odds and ends" drawers and not leave a whole lot of stuff for my daughjter to have to get rid of!

But even so, there are some things that I feel sure WILL come in useful. One day.




I think the saddest thing for sale there was the "Little Pony" rocking horse. Surely much loved once, but discarded when the girls (it must have been two or more girls, no boy would be seen dead on a pink ponly!) reached the age of clothes, boys and more clothes!

Like the Bible says "And it came to pass....": all things change, or end. We think they never will and perhaps don't pay as much attention as we might do. And then it comes to pass that they simply aren't there any more.

11 comments:

Connie said...

You are so right! I have been cleaning through my house realizing that the things I saved to give the children will mean nothing to them. They have their own clutter and they do not seem as nostalgic as I.

Even books we have treasure I know they will not read. Then there are the vinyl records, old cameras, slides .. you know the list!

Diane said...

We often cant wait for things to move on - ie, the kids getting older etc - we all should learn to live more in the here and now. Lovely post Gilly.

KathyA said...

Flea markets and yard sales are so very popular over here. I've always thought them sad.

Cloudhands said...

I agree with you. What looks like treasured memories to me probably would make you laugh and wonder at my strange tastes. I married a pack rat and I pity whoever has to clear out his "stuff". I keep trying to stay simple and uncluttered, but my stars I've been around a long time and the wonder of it all just overflows.
I also grew sentimental on seeing the pink pony.

Rainbow dreams said...

It is always fascinating what is thrown away - and what my husband will rescue...and turn into something new.. or not!! I could never get rid of something like that pony...some things are to be treasured.

Hollace said...

I am such a collector and hanger-on to stuff! I use a lot of things for decorating for dinners and banquets and events, so it always proves to me, "Where would I be if I didn't have a basement full of raw materials?" But I need to learn to love things without having to own them, and to enjoy my memories without having to keep the stuff.
I thought your mosaic was beautiful.

kenju said...

I used to love to go to flea markets and yard sales, but since I am trying to pare down my belongings, I don't do them anymore. Maybe I should go and leave my money (what little there is) at home!

theMuddledMarketPlace said...

oh yes, house moves we have done in the last ten years (gulp!

that old addage about nothing lasting forever and that being both good and bad is helpful
in good times i now treasure the moments far more
and in bad times....well all things do indeed come to an end.

awareness said...

My basement is a flutter with clutter right now, and have had every good intention to organize a yard sale....since MAY! I just don't know where the time went!

It always amazes me what sells and what doesn't..... what someone thinks is a treasure, and what another person thinks is just trash. I have a tough time getting rid of books, especially the kid's books. but, I was looking at the pile of them the other day wondering if I keep them and pass them on when they are adults with kids and I think I've decided to pass them onto a daycare centre or something. maybe..... :)

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

Some people are so talented that they can make something really pretty and useful out of things I consider pure junk. I desparately nned to get in my attic and clean out junk.

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

I love old things. The sad part is my mother saved NOTHING. I don't even have a rattle or a simple dress from when I was a baby. There is not even a single paper from school. No family china. No old books. No pottery, knick-knacks or watering cans with rusty bottoms. Nothing from my grandmother either. Not even my grandfather's prized banjo or any of his instruments. (And his family was Bradbury piano so he had instruments.) My mother got rid of all their stuff too when they died. It breaks my heart and so I take tender loving care of old things I get from other people. And perhaps save too much of my own stuff for my daughters.

www.GreenerPastures--ACityGirlGoesCountry.blogspot.com