My 2000th post! Notes on Why to, (and Not To) Collect, and Happy 4th!

   Happy 4th of July!

   Yes. This is my 2000th post! I can't believe I've done that many, but then, it has been a little over 11 years since I started this blog. The original reason I started it was to have contact with other people who might share my excitement over a particularly good find, because nobody around here did. I found that it was fun because I got to write, which I've always done, do some photography, which I've also done for ages, and generally be creative. I keep getting suggestions that I should start a YouTube channel for the blog too, but my answer to that is always the same: I don't want to be looked at! Of course, there's always the method that people like My Froggy Stuff use, where just the hands are shown. I bite my fingernails, so that is pretty much off the table too.

  In any case, let's talk about collecting.

  Why collect? 

1. "I need it." 

  Are we talking about dolls here, or something else? Because if you 'need' it or not almost depends on what you're collecting. If you're collecting dolls, no you don't. Get over it. You don't 'need' them. If there's a disaster, you can't eat them, use them for shelter, or wear them. Then why collect them? We'll get to that. Most things that are 'collected', as in, rounded up and kept, aren't collected because you need them. I do have to say that when people 'collect' various bits and pieces for some future use, that's more of a 'need'. If I find a particular piece of discount art supply, found item, or interesting thrown away item, and I think I can use that later, and save myself having to buy something then, I 'needed' that. It will be useful, and save me money later. That's not collecting though. That's stocking.

2. I am a completist.

  You start by buying something you love. But then, there are other editions of that thing, or other things that go with it. You don't really care for them, but you have to have everything connected with the original thing. Well don't. That is sort of connected with the Number 1 listed below. Also, it can lead to number two under the second heading. Only buy what you love, and leave it at that. I was that way as a kid. If I bought one thing in a series, I had to get it all, because I am obsessive compulsive. Not having everything bothered me. It went together, so I should get all the things. I try to be better about that now. Again, see below.

3. "I want it."

  Well why do you want it?  Is it because everybody is buying it? Is it because it's a status symbol? Is it because it's fashionable, but not really your thing? Or is it because you really love it? That last answer is the only reason to have anything. I have watched things on YouTube recently where somebody is decorating their house or room, or, as it's referred to these days, their 'space'. (I swear, if I hear one more person talk about their 'space', and not their house, or their 'window treatments', and not their curtains, my head is going to explode.) They just go out and buy a bunch of random things because they are fashionable 'decor', or because they fit their 'colour palette'. The worst thing they do this with, is BOOKS. They have no intention of ever reading the books. They may not even know what books they bought. They just buy them to decorate with! They buy them for the colour, because it matches the rest of the random crap they're decorating with, or the general look of the spine. Try reading the books for a change. I may have a lot of unrelated stuff on shelves throughout my house, but it all means something to me. Fuzz made that clay monster mug in art class. Those are my and Ken's baby cups. Ken bought me those Smiskis. Ivy made that ceramic box. Emma bought me that planter. I've had that glow in the dark lion, a gift from my cousin,  most of my life.  I got that ceramic pig lady on my first trip to England. My grandma gave me that antique picture in the metal frame when I was a kid. Mom bought me that carousel music box. Unsentimental Niece bought me that water globe. My sister painted that picture. They may not all match a colour scheme, but when I look at them, they bring back happy memories, or make me think of people I love. My books are ones I love, on subjects I'm interested in. And I read the books.

  4. I love it.

  Okay. Now we're talking. This is the only good reason for people to 'collect'. If you love something, and you want it around, that's a reason. Things that make you happy, or, as Marie Kondo would say, 'bring you joy', are things worth having around, or collecting. That's a short, simple explanation, but it doesn't need to be any longer. This goes with what I was saying in number 1. If it makes you happy, gives you pleasure to have around, it's worth it.

Why not collect?

1. You are only doing it because it's the in thing.

  I remember when Beanie Babies were the thing. I knew people who didn't really like them, but bought them for an 'investment'. I knew people whose kids weren't really into them, but bought them for their kids because they were the toy of the moment. Here's the thing: Don't buy things for investment unless you like them too, because you might just get stuck with them. At the height of Beanie Baby mania, Ken and I, as doll and toy dealers at the time, couldn't understand why anybody thought they would hold their value. To hold value, a thing must stay, or become scarce. Examples include toys that break, or have small parts or accessories that can get lost or broken, and toys that are produced in small numbers. Beanie Babies had no breakable parts. They had no accessories, which due to their size are often easily lost or broken, and often, worth more than the toys they went to. And lastly, Beanies were produced in the skadrillions. I guess there were a few that were produced in small quantities, but not many. I've been to yard sales where people have tubs and tubs full of Beanie Babies they are trying to get rid of. Some people still think they are going to get big money for them, even at yard sales. Some people put a dollar each on them and still can't get rid of them. Thrift stores have the same problem.  So if you're buying something, make sure you love it.

2. Because you have enough now.

  Collecting is fine, as long as you know when to stop. I probably don't. I need to get rid of things, but I'm starting with things I didn't want in the first place. The sales page is getting a makeover. Please stop by when I get it back up, and buy something. Make it something you love! Remember the rules! But buy something, will you? Help me unload. I have too much stuff.

3. Because you have no one to leave it to.

  Sorry. Not a good enough reason. Especially if you are all alone. I have talked to people who are stopping collecting the things they love, or are getting rid of them, because they are getting old, and  their family has no interest in what they collect, or because they have no one to leave the stuff to. Some people say they are getting rid of their things before they die, because their family will just throw the stuff away. Not good reasons. Keep it. Enjoy it while you are here. Just make sure that you have made provisions in your will for what will happen to your things when you are gone. Leave them to a museum that houses that type of thing, but make sure you specify which things are to go to the museum. Leave instructions for your things to be auctioned, specifying which things are to be auctioned, and who or what gets the profits, (your kids, a charity you have chosen, etc.), and provide information as to who is to auction them. Some people say they are getting rid of the things now so the things aren't a burden on their family when they are gone. That's a better reason. But if you specify in your will for an auction company to come in and take care of that for them, then you should still be able to enjoy your things as long as you can. Once again, specify which things are to be auctioned, and which things you are leaving to specific people.

  Nobody can say why some people collect one thing and some people collect another. Everybody has their thing, as I always say, that thing that for some unknown reason hit them just right, and makes .them happy. And when that thing hits you, whatever it is, you might start collecting it.  

Happy Father's Day!

   Happy Father's Day! I'm getting really bad at remembering to actually shoot some new pictures in time for things! I worked all day on the junk store post yesterday, and forgot to do anything for Father's Day. (I did get Ken a couple of presents!) But Tammy wanted to make sure her dad, Wally got the appreciation he deserves. So she wants me to post some pictures of her with her dad, from previous Father's Day posts. If you haven't seen those, you can always click 'Father's Day' in the side bar.

  And for the record, one of my favourite dads, Ken, here with Emma and Ivy in 2015.

And my other favourite dad, mine.

I'm the little one.

Happy Mother's Day!

   Happy Mother's Day to all kid and pet moms!

  Tammy World is still reuniting all her family members after a year away, so here are some pictures from previous Mother's Days.

 

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

   Happy St. Patrick's Day. 

I was going to take a new St. Patrick's Day picture this year, but I misplaced Tammy World's hat. So this picture is from 10 years ago. I figured that's a long time, and you won't remember it. I'm not one of those people who make a big fuss over St. Patrick's Day, but I like to take part!  There will be a new post about my doll show purchases soon, as well as another doll-centric post on somewhere else I went recently. 

The Twelve Days of Tammy World, Day Twelve: A Merry Christmas

   Tammy World was feeling a little down on Christmas eve. She was here, and her family were far away. She wished she could see them for Christmas.

 Suddenly she heard someone call her name.

She turned to see who was calling her.

"Dad!" shouted Tammy, running to Wally as he came in the door. She jumped up and Wally caught her in his arms. "Merry Christmas squirt!" said Wally, giving her a big hug. 

"I 've missed you Dad!" Said Tammy. Wally squeezed her tightly. "You don't know how much we've missed you Tam.

"Yeah!" Tammy looked to see her little brother, Gareth, dropping his coat in the floor. Gareth joined the hug. 

This is going to be a great Christmas!" exclaimed  Tammy.

  Tammy wanted to show you her favourite Christmas present, a book, of course.

 

Tammy hopes you all had as good a Christmas, (or whatever you celebrate),  as she did.

  Thanks for joining us for The Twelve Days of Tammy World. She was getting bored sitting around here! Please check out today's regular post too.

The Twelve Days of Tammy World, Day Eleven: Tammy Goes to the Cheese Barn

  Tammy World has taken you to the cheese barn before. You might have seen her trip in 2018. It's a trip we make at least every December. Ivy must have her cheese. Actually, we all love cheese. Grampa's Cheesebarn has loads, and other stuff besides. But it was Ivy who became the reason for visits to the Cheesebarn. She had to have her cayanne cheddar. It became a tradition. She has a little gift box she gets her cheese in every year, so when she sees it, she knows she's getting cheese. Kind of ruins the surprise. Especially because it has a gift tag that says, 'To Ivy from Cheesy Claus". The first year Emma's husband saw that he said, "Who's 'Cheesy Claus'?", and Emma simply replied, "That's the Santa Claus who brings Ivy cheese." Well duh! I have to say, Cheesy Claus outdid himself this year!

  It's also a pretty place, with this pond on the property.

  There's also a candy store . That's it on the left. As you can see, we parked a distance from the store. That was as close as we could get. My feet and one leg were having a thing, so I wasn't looking forward to walking all the way to the store, and upstairs to the room where the cheese is. But I made it, even if I was moving pretty slowly.

  They sell ice cream too.

  Tammy wishes you a merry Christmas!

  That's it for Day 11. See you tomorrow night. Merry Christmas!

The Twelve Days of Tammy World, Day Ten: Tammy and a Christmas House

   Today, on Day Ten of the Twelve Days of Tammy World, Tammy is showing you this cute Christmas house.

 I found a whole box of these at the bin store. Obviously they go on a light string, but I thought they'd make cute 1/6 scale Christmas decorations.

  I need one of those little balloon lights to go inside it. Until then, Tammy is showing you how cute it looks lit up, by sitting it on a battery operated tea light.

It's hard to photograph it with the lights low enough to see the glow. 

  Tomorrow Tammy will be on the road. See you then.

The Twelve Days of Tammy World, Day Nine: Tammy Shows Off Some Vintage Christmas Stuff

   Tammy finally got out of that Christmas sweater! She wanted something else Christmassy, but she doesn't have all her clothes here. She settled for a cozy sweater that is non-Christmassy. At least it's warm. 

  Today Tammy wanted to show you some vintage Christmas decorations she likes to have up at Christmas.

 The little house just arrived this summer, in a bag of vintage Christmas minis at a yard sale. I think it might be a cake decoration.

It's hollow, but the opening isn't big enough to get a light inside.  At the moment it's lighted by sitting on top of a battery operated tea light.

The other things she wanted to show you are super tiny and old, and not in the best of shape any more. But they are really nice.

The one with the antlers is a reindeer. But is the other one a female reindeer, without antlers, or a sheep? It looks more like a sheep, but if it is, its a sheep as big as a reindeer!

 

They're celluloid, so they are very delicate...and also flammable! Both reindeer have lost one antler, although I have one of the missing ones somewhere.

I love them because they are just like the full size vintage celluloid reindeer I have. Full size, as in, for table decorations that is! Not full size reindeer!

  It looks very cozy with everything lighted. Tammy is sitting in front of an advent calendar sent to us by our friends in Germany. We stayed with them on our trip last year. One of these days I need to get to that part of the trip and actually finish those posts. I'm forgetting things. And I'm so close to finishing! It was the last 4 or 5 days of the trip. I never finished the posts on the last trip, so I swore I was going to finish this time.

  So that's it for today. Poor Tammy is missing her family, but I daren't drag a load more dolls into the house, especially since Emma and AJ are moving next month, and, hopefully, so are we. (Into our house, I mean!) They have bought their first house.

  Maybe Tammy can see some of her family for Christmas. We'll see.

  Tomorrow we'll check in with Tammy World again.

The Twelve Days of Tammy World, Day Eight: Tammy Takes a Rest with a New Christmas Lantern

   Tammy decided she had done a lot of  tour guiding this week, and deserved a rest. So she thought today she would slow down, and show you the new Christmas lantern she got recently.

The lantern came from Walmart in a set of three for $2.48.

It's a fairly convincing fake wood, with plastic greenery and a real tiny pine cone inside.

  If you wanted to you could remove the stuff inside, use some paper, or even coloured plastic, inside for glass, and put one of those button lights in there. It would make a pretty lit up lantern. 

  It's a good size for 1/6 scale. I almost didn't grab these, but I'm glad I did.

  Tomorrow Tammy will be up to something else, and yes, she's getting sick of that sweater too.

The Twelve Days of Tammy World, Day Seven: More Presidential Sites Around Marion, Ohio

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  Tammy World has been showing you the sights around Marion, Ohio. Today she  continues with some other sites relating to President Harding. 

Tammy showed you the Harding home yesterday. Directly behind it is the Harding Presidential Library and Museum.

By the way, I got my camera working again. The battery I had just charged had already pooped out. The other two I was brought from the house after the fire, (One in my camera, which was n the landing, near the fire, and the other, which was on the landing too.),have stopped working entirely. I think the het from the fire killed them.

  And pretty much across the street from the Harding home is the family home of Mrs. Harding, the former Florence Kling. If you knew what you were looking for you might have spotted it in the picture of the Harding Home front yard I showed you yesterday.

See that tiny blue and white sign in the distance, to the right of the 'Warren G. Harding' sign? That's it.

And here it is behind Tammy World.

It's the big, cream coloured building on the left. But keep in mind the white house with the picket fence, between the flag and the traffic cone. We'll get to that.

The Kling home is now the Central Christian Church.

  It was a huge house, with a carport thingy so people could go straight into the house if it was raining, without getting wet.

The left side of the house. Carport on the right, covered walkway/arbour from the door, on the left.

The right side of the house. There's that carport again on the left, and another arbour walkway from another door, on the right.

These days it has an addition almost as big, built onto the back of it, for the church.

The addition, from the parking lot behind the house/church. Note the trees on the right. I'll get to those.

  I went to an awesome church sale there once. They also held some sort of old time days thing, where I remember watching a lady making apple butter over an open fire. It was a super hot summer day, and she was stirring the apples over that hot fire, wearing an old timey pioneer dress. I don't know how she stood it.

  The Klings planted this beautiful alley or 'allée' of trees on the street next to their house. 

  It runs along the street to the left of the house. The trees are on both sides of the street, so I suppose that at one time that whole piece of land belonged to the Klings.

This is from the direction of the Harding home end of the street.

The view of the street from the end opposite the Harding home. The Kling home is way in the distance on the left. There's a pretty little bridge with a stone wall too.

Better view of the bridge.

  A few years ago the city was going to cut down the trees to fix the sidewalks that were buckling from the tree roots. Complaints from the citizens, including me, changed the city's mind. They fixed the sidewalks without removing the trees. If they could do that in the first place, why didn't they just do it?

And just across the street from the former Kling home is the little house that served as the Hardings  guest cottage.

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It's  a private home.

You can see the corner of the Kling property on the left.

  The consequence of living in a town where Harding lived is, every yard sale claims to have something that came from the Hardings, the Harding home, or has some relation to the Hardings. I myself own a pair of vintage sugar tongs that supposedly belonged to the Hardings. I got them, where else, at a local garage sale. They also had a supposed Harding rocking chair.

  That's it for Tammy World's tour of the Harding sites around Marion. I'm sure there are more. After all, he lived there, worked there, owned the newspaper, campaigned for president there. He was all over the place, I'm sure.

  Tomorrow we'll see what else Tammy has up her sleeve.