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forest_choir ([personal profile] forest_choir) wrote2011-05-19 09:39 am
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Writer's Block: Collect 'em all

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Oh, I've collected all sorts of things.

As a child, I collected stamps and seashells.
They were small, free, and could be put away in boxes to keep my room tidy.

As a young twenty-something with a job, I collected antique printings of my favourite poetry books.  A high school literature teacher had turned me on to some of the writers and I discovered others on my own.  I also collected art prints - Thomas Canty, Michael Whelan, and Robert Gould, mostly.  Gorgeous fantastical images.

In my thirties, I collected music CDs and television series on DVD.

Now, in my early forties, I've realised how damned much STUFF I own and am cutting back.  I'm giving outdated things to Goodwill or chucking them in the bin.  I still have a sizeable book collection.  I've begun acquiring copies of books I read and loved as a child.  (My family couldn't afford to buy books, so everything came from the library.  I always wished I could go back and read those books again...)  I still have the prints, music, and DVDs.  But I have become much more selective about what I buy.
I have binned the stamp collection and put the seashells in a safe place.
I still enjoy them.

Recently, I have begun collecting heart-shaped objects - rocks, wood, shells - worn into the familar shapes by wind and water.  I love their colours and textures.  And I treasure the quiet days spent finding them - out in nature - walking along the ocean or swimming in mountain streams.

hearts galore

[identity profile] earthspirits.livejournal.com 2011-05-19 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
That's great that you're re-homing / donating stuff that no longer interests you, that's what we do. That way there's always room for your current interests and others will benefit from the items you sell or give away.

I love shells, stones and found objects too, I keep a small collection of these in my art cabinet. : )

[identity profile] forest-choir.livejournal.com 2011-05-20 02:57 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll never throw away a book. I sell them back to the used bookstore or donate them to the library or Goodwill. With the other stuff, we're trying to send it somewhere it will be re-used.

I've begun putting my stones and shells into lidded jars on my bookshelf. Otherwise my kitten knocks them off the shelf and bats them around the room. :D

[identity profile] gingervere.livejournal.com 2011-05-20 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
Your heart collection is beautiful. :)

[identity profile] forest-choir.livejournal.com 2011-05-20 02:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks very much. ♥