Special Aside...

One of the huge fringe benefits of the work that I've done downsizing, organizing, sorting and "re-homing" such a huge array of stuff is my level of appreciation for special things.

Special being a completely relative term. It is special to me... because, just because I said so. The lovely part is I don't have to explain or say why. But I can... because I've actually thought it through and actually carefully consider each purchase. (It's a good habit to get into. All I have to do is think about whether or not I will use it or just have to agonize over getting rid of it later on.) Case in point, there was a neighborhood tag sale down the road today. I did stop and walked to each sale and chatted with the proprietors... I bought two things: a hand made bowl that Snickers can use, a beautifully crafted colorful short shallow dish, the owner was the artist, Carol. I passed by quite a few treasures and interesting things... Nope, no thanks, no, no, no... 

The second item a set of mixing, baking bowls the perfect shade of light turquoise... ribbed on the outside, two chips only on one of the four bowls. I have a fancy bowl for my salad eating but it's HUGE... so these are more practical and as it turns out very special. The owner said they belonged to her grandmother, Mary, born in 1904 an immigrant at 17 from Czechoslovakia. The bowls have a Weller pottery mark and were made in the 1920's. SCORE - Photo above... 

My acquisitions have practically stopped and I'm happy when I think of something that I have a valid excuse to go out and buy. Like groceries... even there I'm so careful now to be sure that I will actually USE all the food that I purchase. The quick point I guess is I'm grateful that I have the awareness to distinguish and appreciate things... all around me. 

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