Private Lives: Curiosity Table.

True fact: I have a rather vapid nostalgia streak running through me. Anyone who knows me will nod and agree. It’s part of my genetic makeup. I have a deeply innate respect for the history of people and places. Perhaps that is one of the reasons behind my emotional disconnect with California, which seems to have little regard for either. Who knows.

In any case, this respect for the history of things is a tad bit disharmonious with my disdain for clutter. I like things that mean things, yet don’t like having these things laying around. See how that works? Suffice it to say, I have lived with quite a bit of my history stored away. Until now. The recent acquisition of a wonderful drafting desk left me with a good space to fill up with some of these items of meaning.

Allow me to share them with you….

(A)A collection of prayer beads on such from family and friends. (A current revision of this.)

(B) A miniature hope chest that once belonged to Hal’s mother.

(C) A “Travel Box” containing items and memories from Hal’s and my trip to New York in 2003. It was a game changing visit for us (to say the least!)

 

 

 

 

To one side of the desk sits a stack of books which is crowned with a set of hand blown Yin/Yang hearts given to us by our friend Elsie at the beginning of our relationship. Having witnessed other relationships of mine that were less than stellar, she saw the peace Hal brought to my chaos.

Directly across said table sits a new addition: a glass box containing Hal’s fathers pocket watches. What makes this truly special is the tags attached to each reviewing the life of the watch!

Now, in the event of an emergency (knock wood!), all of these items get left behind in favor of one item: the portrait of Hal and I. Well known for his reclusiveness, this is one of very few images of Hal and I together. (That and, really, when there are only two of you, who takes the photo?) So while beads and watches can be bought and repaired, getting Hal in front of a camera might very will be a once in a life time happening.