I’m whipped. Yesterday was a long day, as I watched dress rehearsal in the afternoon and a full performance in the evening, then hung around for about an hour waiting to talk with the director. I’m used to going to bed about two hours earlier than last night’s bedtime. It’s also cold with a capital C and windy. And my sinuses are reacting to the dry apartment. It ain’t pretty.
But I slept well and I’m slowly waking up with a mug of Peet’s and some half and half. When I was first contacted about working on this play it sounded like I would be able to go in and out of the city, but the artistic director (who hired me) keeps referring to the fact that I’m “here until opening night.”
So. I may not get home.
I brought exactly three sweaters with me. Three pairs of underwear and socks. This apartment has a washer and a dryer, however, so it looks like I’ll be doing a load today. The smallest load of wash ever. One thing this apartment has that I love is a big, deep bathtub, like a soaking tub. Heaven.
But I miss my family. Lots. I don’t know why it seems to be harder this time, but it is.
That photo above highlights one of my many collections. I love collecting.
What do I collect? Miniature pottery, McCoy Pottery, china, books, egg cups, Roseville Pottery, books by Edgar Guest, fabric, vintage fabric, bakelite anything….I’m sure there’s more and that I’ll be adding more to this list as the day goes on.
Today’s question: What do you collect?
Happy Sunday.
Claudia, As much as we love traveling , it good to sleep in one’s own bed. Glad you had some good coffee. I collected art, craft and decorating books. I collected dishes, local art work. But now I do not collect…It is time now to get rid of things. I have given my daughters things that I hope they pass on to their children. Blessings for a safe time away from your family. xoxo,Susie
I admire your willingness to let go of things, Susie. That’s a hard one for me!
Hi Claudia: I hope you are feeling better today. There’s nothing worse than being away from home when you are not well. Sleep is like gold, isn’t it?
Your collection is so cute. Love the little cupboard you display it in. I collect much the same; pottery, china tea-cups, tea-pots and of late, little animal figures for the grands. I have quite a display of them on the window-sill at the mouse-house. Love your little turquoise pitcher. Stay warm….Spring won’t be long comin’. Deb
I love little animal figures, Deb. I have a few of them, but not enough for a collection.
I collect too much – that’s for sure!!! My largest collection is my Schilling … tins, bottles and boxes of spices, extracts, coffee, tea, baking powder and ephemera. I’ve collected Schilling for over 30 years, with items from the 1890’s through the 1940’s. I have a few items from the 1950’s, but I prefer pre-1950’s era. I also collect vintage kitchen utensils, Flow Blue China pieces, wooden spools (large and small), Honey Bunch vintage books, vintage (blue cover) Nancy Drew books, vintage medicinal and make-up bottles, tins, etc., vintage small aspirin tins, vintage cookbooklets, and vintage Aunt Jemima S & P. I also have several vintage S & P sets that I inherited from my grandma … I don’t actively collect them, but I have all displayed in one way or another, so I count them as a collection.
I’m sorry to hear you might not have a chance for getting home any time soon :(
A girl after my own heart! A collector!
You do pack light, I’m like you would rather do a load than drag along everything I own. My hubby has sinus trouble when he stays in hotels. I encourage him to put a big pan of water on the heater or near it to add some moisture to the room. You may want to invest in a travel size humidifier too. I think they operate off a small bottle of water. Sounds like you are keeping busy, try and rest today and catch up on some sleep.
Well, I didn’t intentionally pack light, Dawn. I thought I’d be going home for a few days today. So I’m caught without anything!
That way it doesn’t take long to get ready, with a minimal selection there’s no decisions to make.
If I was really a fashion plate, I’d have all sorts of accessories to change out my look. But….I don’t. Just one pair of earrings!
Good Morning Claudia,
I’m glad you slept well. You’re right, a good sleep is precious. How did the rehearsals go? Did you end up with pages of notes or just a few short scribbles? Have you found any “dead” spots?
Lots of notes – we’ll see what else I discover over the next couple of days.
Hope you feel better soon and you can get home to your family. Always hard to be away.
I collect miniatures for our dollhouses that we are restoring. Fabric to make quilts. Antiques to fill the house. Eclectic items for my art. Art by Trisha Romance, Jill Louise Campbell and Robert Duncan. Pretty writing paper. Books!! China. Frames. Children. And now grandbabies!
I didn’t even mention the dollhouse, Chy! That would be a whole new category of collecting!
Grandbabies are the best collection.
It is too bad Don doesn’t have some business in the city that he could bring you a few things. I suppose you can’t just buy a ticket for a suitcase to come in on the train or bus and pick it up when it arrives. OR, as you said, you can just make do with a few things and use the W&D a lot! How long is it until opening night??
Did NYC get much snow? All I heard about on the news this AM was Boston. The cold is just ridiculous here, as well. Hope you have a good day! Stay warm.
Not much snow at all here -probably less than an inch. Not the 3 – 7 inches that was predicted. Though there’s some predicted for Tuesday.
Well…you packed light because you thought you’d be going home? I see lots of washing in your future…sorry, couldn’t resist a little humor! What do I collect? Baskets, books, crystal…(guess I’m going in alphabetical order), and quite the assortment of pottery…especially blue & white porcelain, Sascha Brastoff, and Bitossi blue. Pottery is my weakness! I don’t seek out things anymore, I can only have so many collections before I reach my clutter threshold, but if I happen to see something that pulls at my heart strings…then I might add to my collections. Enjoy your Sunday! ;)
I only add to my collections occasionally – there’s only so much room at the cottage!
At lest you have a washer/dryer it could be worse! I love that we collect a few of the same things, egg cups and mini-pottery. I also collect Pink pottery, egg coddlers, orphan s&p shakers, creamers and milk glass. I love my collections and I’m trying to find some great display shelves like you have for your mini’s!! Stay warm.
hugs,
Linda
Good luck, Linda. I know you’ll find some wonderful shelves!
Oh, you shouldn’t have ask! I collect: Noah’s Ark, vintage linens and lace, coca cola items, s&p shakers. Vintage dishes, Mother’s plaques, old handkerchiefs, but my all time favorite is my McCoy collection. You know how I feel about those!
Stay warm and safe.
Judy
I DO know how you feel about McCoy, Judy. Wouldn’t it be fun to go McCoy hunting together?
I hope you´ll be feeling well in the next days. I collect dolls. I have my own dolls from when I was little, my daughter´s dolls (mostly Barbies), some new dolls (a few), and dolls I found at flea markets. And as I have not money to adquire what I want, I make my own dolls, from any material I can. I like to experiment.
Also cookery books and children´s books I find at our local library.
I like to collect a lot of different things. But nowadays we must begin to think to find them a home for the future when we´ll be too old to take care of them. But that is in the future. I hope a far, far, future.
Yes indeed! A far, far future!
I have some dolls, too, but not really a collection of dolls. I love them, though!
Great question! Interesting to read everyone’s replies. I don’t collect a whole lot myself. I’ve always been more of an organizer and tend to “weed out & pare down” much more than “gather,” which has been a plus since I’ve lived in studios and 1-bedroom apartments forever- LOL. I’ve collected baskets since I was in college, and sometime in my 20s also began collecting pumpkins [mostly small] and cookbooks. I also collect stories of how couples met. Have a box of these in half-filled journals and little notebooks that I’m beginning to put on my computer. Maybe there’s a book there someday, who knows… PS – try putting a bowl of water out in your apartment, Claudia [might help your sinuses]. Hope you feel better soon and enjoy your Sunday.
I kept the door to the bathroom open when I took a shower so that the steam would hit the living room. I have a bowl of water near the heater, so hopefully, that will begin to help.
Love that you collect stories about how couples met!
“Have toothbrush, will travel” was okay by me even a few years ago, but the older I get, the less spontaneous I sometimes feel. Is it feasible for Don to make a day trip into the city?
My wretched cough kept me up most of the night, so I was watching old episodes of “The Honeymooners” on my laptop into the early hours. I hadn’t before realized it was set in Brooklyn (!) – talk about tiny apartment living.
Years ago, I began collecting signed lithographs by artists whose original paintings I love but can’t possibly afford. Some are hand embellished and are really works of art in their own right. I don’t like clutter (visible or hidden), but I must confess to a whole drawer of lovingly restored old Irish linen and pieces of needlework, some at least 100 years old.
Antique maps (but only of places I’ve been to), art books, antique crystal liqueur glasses, beautiful umbrellas (nothing better to brighten up a rainy day) and one-of-a-kind dollhouse miniatures are all on my list. Top of my list are the rare but lovely smiles from the Littlest Gish – she is such a solemn little thing!
Sounds like a perfect group of collections, Barbara!
It’s hard when those you love are back home and you are not. Glad, though, that you could sleep well. But you will be counting down till opening night. I seek out and collect more than I should for my house space: thrifted 1950s and 60s aprons and tablecloths; old maps; embroidered cloths; vintage fabrics; vintage L.M.Montgomery books; and I have two archive boxes of my grandmother’s sheet music that I can’t bear to get rid of.
I have a lot of old sheet music, too. I can’t let it go!
Hi, I started collecting these little mugs with birds that say “whistle for milk”. My mother’s friend brought them for my brother and sister and I one Easter and they were always kept safe and secure in mom’s china cupboard. They are so vintage looking and when there are 6 of them all together on a shelf they look darling.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Whistle-for-milk-cup-mug-1950s-Vintage-Retro-ceramic-childrens-whistle-/121568965374
Ann Marie
Oh my gosh, Ann Marie, these are so adorable. Uh oh, you’ve got me interested in another collection!
Good morning Claudia!
One reason I think this time away from home is more difficult is because you are not in your tip top form, and neither is Don. When we aren’t feeling well the only place we really want to be is with those that love us.
As for my collecting…where to start? Haeger pottery, Roseville pottery, old purple glass, anything smaller than 1 inch in height, and ET collectibles. I used to collect cat figurines but other interests have taken over. I also have cartons upon cartons of rocks…polished and not. Mostly agates. My son was really into rock collecting when he was young. We did our own polishing. I have kept them. Too many god memories of the two if us hunting different places for the beauties.
I used to collect rocks and had a lot of agates and some geodes. I wonder where those ended up? I love agates – they’re beautiful.
Too bad the temps are so low while you are being held captive in the city! I love your NYC travel logs. The nearby thrift store has ‘experienced shopper’ 30% off day each Thursday for those over 55. I’ve started collecting brown drip Hull dishware, certain Fire King lines, and a discontinued Psaltzcraft pattern prompted by my weekly visits to this thrift store. I must force myself to take a bag of drop-offs equal to the volume of my purchases each visit.
Yes, we have to make sure we’re not bringing in too much stuff!
What do I collect? I have a collection of dog figurines that I collected when I was a girl and haven’t added to in years. I remember where each little dog came from! I have small collections of thimbles, flower frogs, and postcards. Hope you feel better and keep warm!
I love dog figurines, Debbie.
OH, collecting! I am a collector by nature, but have recently let many things go. Life is simpler without so many things to dust and care for, and I guess I was just ready for a change. I still have a few collections, or parts of the old ones left. My favorite cookbooks, old small pitchers that are animal shapes (plenty of McCoy), some vintage salt and peppers, Beatrix Potter figurines, wooden boxes and antique Christmas ornaments. Gone are my cookie jars (just two left), cobalt blue glass, santas, coca cola items, bunnies and some other things. I fondly remember them, but am happy they have all moved to new loving homes!
Good for you, Susan!
I have a collection of over 100 antique cookbooks, most from the 1930s and before. I also have a huge collection of red handled kitchen utensils, I rarely find one I don’t have now. And I love wooden bowls, wooden utensils and handmade pottery. Most of these things I find at thrift & resale shops and yard sales, I couldn’t do it otherwise on a budget.
I love anything with age and a story.
Yes, it all has to be done on a budget, that’s for sure!
I don’t collect too much anymore…I’m trying to cut back and get rid of stuff, though I’ll never stop buying books. ;-) I also have a nice collection of cookbooks (though I’ve gotten rid of the ones I truly didn’t use), milk glass pieces, small white pitchers…have small collections of cat, bird and owl figurines, teapots. Hmm…I think that’s about it.
I can understand you missing your family…I wouldn’t want to be away either. Hang in there and try to get some sleep.
I’ve been sleeping pretty well, considering that I’m in a noisy city, Melanie. Thank goodness!
I think I collect memories. Things from days past. Some McCoy, teddy bears, dolls, and lots of photos. Since we are trying to downsize I have started collecting minis. They don’t take up much room, do they. I bought a doll house but it will be staying in the box unassembled while our house is on the market.
Stay warm. Sometimes moisturizing nose drops can help. I do the same when I take a bath. I don’t turn on the vent but open the door. Our humidifier was causing problems on the furnace so we had to disconnect it.
I hope you can make the best of the time while you are there.
HUGS
I am trying to get out when I can and walk around the area. I like doing that in a city. Today, I walked around the area, even though wind chills were close to zero.
Like so many have already said, not exactly “collecting” as in the past. You come to realize you really don’t need it all and then there is the reality of having to tighten the purse strings. For now there remain collections of smaller Santa Clause figures, framed silhouettes, varying blue dishware, small flower pots of all types , vintage table clothes to name a few. Today, I will on occasion splurge for another vintage sewing notion or a piece of coin silver but that is about it. At some point I too will need to downsize and let go.
Hope you get a break in the weather as well as a little free time to go exploring. Your work always sounds so interesting to me and you obviously have honed your craft. Doing what you enjoy so can only help with how much you are missing Don and Scout.
It does help. If I’m busy working, I feel happy and it helps to ease my homesickness.
I collect teapots, teacups, recipe books on teas, fabric, yarns, (I have no idea when I started this, or even added to it, but, there you go.) some angels, books, and I could go on, but won’t. If you ever get to my house Claudia, we will have tea and shortbread.
It’s a deal, Tana!
It all sounds a little lonely. Maybe if the weather were better, but it’s not…
I collect a lot of stuff and should cut down ‘my passions’ so I’m not so cluttered but my eye caught your mention of Roseville pottery.
A little story: My husband’s beloved granny amassed loads of Roseville pottery, probably anywhere from 1930s through 1950s, does that sound about right? When she died in the 90s, her daughter sent us a large box of Granny’s pottery, every single piece broken or chipped and we never exactly knew how all that happened because my husband’s memory from youth about it was that the pottery was in good shape. Anyway, he was just as crushed as the pottery.
I know that once you alter/repair something, it loses monetary value…but this was deeply sentimental, and my husband was already grieving his granny enough as it was, so I..fortunately…had a lead on some world-class ‘restorers’ of pottery and glass who just happened to be in my neck ‘o the woods and I turned it all over to them and said, “Do what you can to save any of it.” This couple, both of whom are now deceased, actually unintentionally passed something off, thru a customer, with a well-known TV show about antiques as ‘original’ (condition) and didn’t get detected…they were THAT good with restoration.
I confess to say this was a huge expenditure for me/us and not what smart people do but, what can I say, I’m ruled by my heart, so I spent the couple of thousand,..yes, thousand-plus dollars I didn’t have…to patch up this array of pottery and, to this day, the repair work is seamless and I learned to love Roseville pottery. We have one good-sized piece of the most glorious turquoise-green you can probably imagine. It’s packed while we endlessly remodel, but I have a small, free-standing cabinet dedicated just to the Roseville and the pottery is worth its weight in gold for the happy memories it evokes for my husband and the warmth in my heart when I see him smile over it.
Roseville Pottery, in my humble opinion, is always worth repairing. It was wonderful of you to do that for your husband and look what happened? You love it too! I’d love to get lots more.
I used to collect Colour Box Miniatures, which I discovered on trips to England to visit friends. I’m not sure what they are made of, some sort of clay? The miniatures are usually furniture, like a bookcase or four-poster bed, or small animals. There is a cat or two on every piece of furniture. Unfortunately, these are not made anymore, but I have just enough pieces to fill a display cabinet I constructed years ago. I also collect soapstone animal carvings and cast aluminum animals whenever I’m in Canada, where I have relatives. And, does amassing supplies for one’s crafting called collecting?
I’m going to have to research Colour Box Miniatures, Wendy. They sound fascinating!
I’m not sure about supplies…if it’s called collecting, then I have a lot of other collections!
It’s hard being away from home. I wouldn’t really call myself a collector though I like to buy jugs and especially pottery from Uig on the Isle of Skye.
I’m going to have to google that pottery, Gillian. I’m finding all of these answers very interesting, indeed!
Claudia, I loved your question yesterday asking what we collect…..refreshing to read each answer on such a cold stay inside day! What a breath of “warm air”! I was a big collector of blue willow, use it everyday – my sister collected the pink willow. Now I collect books and such about decorating “pysanky” – the art of Ukrainian egg decorating. I’ve been making these eggs my whole life , yes, I am 100% ukrainian, and love to read everything I can about them!
Stay warm….it will be spring soon.
Ukrainian egg decorating is so beautiful and I admire the skill it takes. Good for you, Nancy!
I am sorry to hear that you can’t go home to visit but at least it is only two weeks this time..imagine if it were two months and you had only 3 sets of clothes with you..I collect vintage linens..Mexican pottery cat figures-they are so colorful..60’s/70’s Hippie flower power bed sheets..vintage Lucite napkin holders, trivets & whatever..and vintage Christmas items..Most come from thrift shops as that is the only way I can afford..also I only buy what I like the most because we have limited space here too..
Actually, less than two weeks, which is even better. And, hey, I get paid more, which isn’t bad at all!
Although I have a few pieces of a number of things (like Pyrex and Jadeite), I am focusing on collecting small things that could go with me on a downsize some day. I love my ironstone butter pats, my little restaurant creamers (that look good with my butter pats), and little Wade figurines (the kind that come in tea boxes, but I get them mostly at antique co-ops for $1). I display my Wades in a printer’s tray. The openings are the perfect size. My kitchen has quite a number of 1960s and 70s items in it, but most of them I’ll give up when we go smaller. I also have quite a few books which I am slowly culling and donating.
I think that’s why I love egg cups and the mini pottery, Laura. They don’t take up much space. I love Wade figurines – I think I have one somewhere!
I’m sure it’s the cold that makes you homesick. I’m homesick even at home these days. Arrrrrg! I collect post cards, anything with chickens, fabric, yarn and mugs. Keep your ears stiff! ;-) Regula
I never sleep well unless it is my own bed at home!
What do I collect?…(Bordallo Pinheiro) cabbage leaf dishes, napkin rings, and colored cruets to name a few things.
Have a wonderful week, Claudia.