Older Folks and Vaping Back Porch - Part Seven
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David, then it doesn't qualify as a mullet. Those were short on the sides and long in the back. Not sure how that translates to a wick but it must somehow. 
True, but that's the name that's been used for the trim style. (Nope, not by me! I just took to opportunity to alter it 
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My mom really enjoyed going to estate sales, auctions, even garage sales. She had a good eye and would frequently buy unwanted lots that contained hidden gems. She was really good about ridding herself of the unavoidable detritus that came along with these gems. At least until her health declined towards the end. She still went to sales when she felt up to it, but the getting-rid-of got left by the wayside. My father kept all of it (gems and detritus) when she died in 1999.
My father was not quite a hoarder, but he never got rid of anything that might have some future value. He was a big fan of buying war-surplus (back when that meant bombsights or bullet-proof fuel tanks, and not Asian-sweatshop fatigue pants or fantasy knives). He also was the guy who said, "Sure, I'll, take it." when friends died, moved to warmer climes, or into retirement communities (which is why I have a printing press (think: the weekly paper put out by the idealistic greenhorn in every old Western movie you ever saw) and a 12' long reproduction camera that takes 14" by 14" negatives (think: Ansel Adams) - anyone interested?). In the 1970s my folks bought a Civil War farm (land deeded to a Civil War veteran) with a huge dairy barn and several other outbuildings. My father took this as licence to say, "Yes!" to further acquisitions.
Well, along with all that stuff, I evidently inherited my father's tendency to accumulate but not my mother's ability to get rid of junk. When dad died in 2005, I just had it all moved (mostly all; much had badly deteriorated due to poor storage conditions) down to my large, newly-built house (with several large outbuildings). Some of it I didn't even unpack or inspect until we sold the house this summer. At that point, faced with drastically reduced space, I rethought a lot of it and, as noted previously, put it in dumpsters (where it should have gone in 2005). Still, I couldn't avoid the feeling that I was betraying my father (and possibly historians) by doing so (and still can't).
When we move into a new house and get all that stuff out of storage, I expect I will have to do considerably more dumpsterizing, or deacquisitioning of some sort, all the while feeling as though I am further betraying my father, and even betraying my past self (or worse, proving that our lives were in some way worthless or pointless). At least I will be lightening the load that will fall on my children and grandchildren.
My father was not quite a hoarder, but he never got rid of anything that might have some future value. He was a big fan of buying war-surplus (back when that meant bombsights or bullet-proof fuel tanks, and not Asian-sweatshop fatigue pants or fantasy knives). He also was the guy who said, "Sure, I'll, take it." when friends died, moved to warmer climes, or into retirement communities (which is why I have a printing press (think: the weekly paper put out by the idealistic greenhorn in every old Western movie you ever saw) and a 12' long reproduction camera that takes 14" by 14" negatives (think: Ansel Adams) - anyone interested?). In the 1970s my folks bought a Civil War farm (land deeded to a Civil War veteran) with a huge dairy barn and several other outbuildings. My father took this as licence to say, "Yes!" to further acquisitions.
Well, along with all that stuff, I evidently inherited my father's tendency to accumulate but not my mother's ability to get rid of junk. When dad died in 2005, I just had it all moved (mostly all; much had badly deteriorated due to poor storage conditions) down to my large, newly-built house (with several large outbuildings). Some of it I didn't even unpack or inspect until we sold the house this summer. At that point, faced with drastically reduced space, I rethought a lot of it and, as noted previously, put it in dumpsters (where it should have gone in 2005). Still, I couldn't avoid the feeling that I was betraying my father (and possibly historians) by doing so (and still can't).
When we move into a new house and get all that stuff out of storage, I expect I will have to do considerably more dumpsterizing, or deacquisitioning of some sort, all the while feeling as though I am further betraying my father, and even betraying my past self (or worse, proving that our lives were in some way worthless or pointless). At least I will be lightening the load that will fall on my children and grandchildren.
If I maybe so bold to say . . . IMHO - It's not what "We" accumulate or the possessions we have that makes our "Lives" valuable or have meaning (although at times I have the same feelings) that will prove anything . . . It's "My" belief that what "We" chose to both allow ourselves to have and even share with others that has the actual value and meaning . . . Attributes like - Respect/Self-respect - Honesty - Understanding - Thoughtfulness - Caring for others & yourself - Kindness - and more important, is Friendship and/or the love we chose to share and accept - That is what gave "Our" lives purpose, meaning and worth living . . . That's what people will remember about "Us" too . . . At Least - I Hope So . . .
Just a Thought . . .
Although, it can be such a "contradiction" that it is . . .
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Yep, I've never heard a eulogy go on about how many toys the departed left behind. Generally not what folk are "remembered" for.
AND - On That Note . . .
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Those are awesome pics! Thank you so for sharing them. The atmosphere they conve is so blissful!
I really miss Dave's drone videos. The really helped expand my world a bit. Think I'll go back & watch them again. Lol! That dance & wave at the end!
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I didn't intend to suggest that either my father or myself were validated by the amount of stuff we had accumulated. It was more the reasoning behind why we had (have) accumulated so much stuff. I think we both believe(d) that preserving potentially useful items was virtuous in itself. I now have some doubts.
I don't think any of us thought that, PW. Heck, I think we're all in the same boat. Living in the same house for 25+ years does that.
That, and not being able to find the right tool, part, material for a task until you get home with the replacement.
I don't think any of us thought that, PW. Heck, I think we're all in the same boat. Living in the same house for 25+ years does that.
That, and not being able to find the right tool, part, material for a task until you get home with the replacement.
I just fixed a broken toy John Deere tractor and trailer for Miles. The small screws washers and nuts came from a selection of 'stuff' collected by Janet's father, that I 'inherited' when he passed away. So yes, a stash of stuff can be clutter, but when it comes in handy it sure saves time going to the h/w store and searching for the right 'thing'.
That didn't even occur to me. I have a few of my Father & Grandfather's tools. Not many, but I do use them. Most of my accumulated stuff is from family & still gets used. I even use my depression glass & some of it is a century old. I had to cut myself off from getting more nm just because it"s do pretty & colorful, & I enjoy just looking at it. Very little of it is mint. But none is damaged beyond use. I guess I'm a more practical collector. I collect things with memoies attached.
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THIS!I just fixed a broken toy John Deere tractor and trailer for Miles. The small screws washers and nuts came from a selection of 'stuff' collected by Janet's father, that I 'inherited' when he passed away. So yes, a stash of stuff can be clutter, but when it comes in handy it sure saves time going to the h/w store and searching for the right 'thing'.
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I don't think any of us thought that, PW. Heck, I think we're all in the same boat. Living in the same house for 25+ years does that.
That, and not being able to find the right tool, part, material for a task until you get home with the replacement.
WHAT - He Said ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
AND - Even after WWII when almost everything was rationed . . . Or - Being from a working class / poor family since then too, especially not having the money or means to get "Stuff" Ya' NEED to survive and/or maintain the basics of life . . . So - BEEN THERE DONE THAT . . . Just Sayin' . . .
Hey - A single household of 8 people living in an apartment/house with only 2-3 bedrooms 1 bathroom . . . Or - Spending anytime homeless . . . will do that to Ya' too . . .
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