I'm back in Connecticut this week, clearing out Papa Callan's house and getting it ready for sale. In fact, it's officially on the market as of today!
It seems I arrived just in time for Bulk Trash Pick Up Day. Don't laugh. You'd be surprised at some of the treasures I found during my walk around the neighborhood. Look at these red lace up booties. In practically perfect condition. I was almost tempted to take them, except for the obvious fact that I am here to throw stuff out and not collect new stuff!!!!
Still, I love Bulk Trash Pick Up Day. I took lots of inspiring photographs as I walked around the loop, trying to imagine who the people who had thrown these things out actually were. I mean, red booties, gingham open toe high heels. I have so many questions!
Perhaps I am just trying to distract myself from the sad task of saying goodbye to Papa Callan. Well, I guess I've been saying goodbye to him since he left this earthy plane in December. However, his house--his "Bachelor Pad" has been with me since then. And it's filled with all the reminders of him. It's my responsibility to go through his belongings--and he had a lot of belongings--97 years worth of collecting. So, yes, it's been really, really hard, but it's also been very cathartic. Honestly, I'm glad I signed on for this last gift I could give my father.
Creative Friends, your assignment for this week is to go looking for a neighborhood with a Bulk Trash Pick Up Day and get yourself a pair of red booties.
No! I'm kidding. But rather, take a look at someone else's trash. By this, I mean, notice the things in life that people discard. You can find these objects at the Good Will, or in a thrift store or yes, perhaps on the side of the road. Next, ask yourself what is the story here? You'll never know the real story, and that's a good thing. Use your imagination and make a story or a poem or a song or create a sculpture, a painting, a dance. Be as fantastical as you wish. The point is to bring new life to this old object by giving it your attention and gifting it with a new point of view. Your point of view.
Oh, and have fun.
Love,
Jamie
P.S. For extra inspiration, listen to The Handsome Family's "Moving Furniture Around."
I wrote a story about the small cabinet I had to give away because it literally fell apart and I couldn't find anyone to fix it. It had belonged to my great-aunt, and ended up in Connecticut, so I simply told its history - a kind of memoir of a cabinet. It helped fix it in my memory, and the various stages of my life as I hauled it around with me too...
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