I was participating in an outdoor art show at a friend’s house this weekend and her neighbors had put several items on the curb for giveaway. There was a box of dishes, quite nice, an old table top, also very nice, and some other miscellaneous items. There was also an old wooden child’s desk.
Yesterday I took all of the bowls that had no chips. They had a nice color and a very nice shape. I checked out the desk rather thoroughly. All the legs were perfectly sound. The veneer on top was not perfect. But the little drawer moved smoothly in and out; and that, to me, was a bit of a miracle. And what little person had made those sweet marks inside of it? I pointed it out to two others, as it seemed too good to pass up. However, they did not take it and I did not take it.
This morning the sweet little desk was still there. I commented on it to the gal who was hosting the show. “Look!” I said. “The drawer works perfectly!” She was duly impressed. She encouraged me again and again to take it, saying her husband would be very unhappy if she brought it in. I have no space for it, no use for it at all. She tried to say I could use it as a display piece for shows. Hardly! Or in some way for my little piano students. No. No room. Again, however, I pointed out the drawer. Irresistible. At the same time, I said no, I have no use for it and no place for it.
She helped me carry it to my car, even though it was so small and light I did not need help. I told her it would just be further evidence to my son that I am, as he likes to say, crazy.
Now what?
At the moment it’s on the front porch.
I still have all of my childhood stuffed animals, some of my boys’ stuffed animals, plus additional ones that I acquired as an adult. I have lots of children’s books. Other little plastic or wooden toys and whistles dot my desks. So? What of it? I am just young at heart! Anyone can try and make anything they want of it.
I would like to paint the tiny desk in some whimsical way and find a place for it. I am very happy to have it!
I am fairly certain that I will never paint it. It will remain a charming tiny desk with a remarkably good working drawer that adds to the clutter of my studio space. And then one day I will most likely put it on the curb.
“It is good to collect things, but it is better to go on walks.”― Anatole France
“This is true of all collecting. It extinguishes the moral instinct. The object finally possesses the possessor.” ― John Fowles
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Thanks for listening,
Kay
P.S. MerryThoughts is the name of my first book, out of print at the moment. The word is a British one, referring both to a wishbone and to the ritual of breaking the wishbone with the intention of either having a wish granted or being the one who marries first, thus the “merry thoughts.”