Anything Ragged or Rotten or Rusty

Many years ago, when Papa and I were redecorating our bedroom, we got into a conversation about what the interiors of our dream houses would look like.  He went on to describe a modern beach house with floor to ceiling windows and skylights all around.  It would have pops of vibrant color and eclectic pieces of art on the walls.  It sounded beautiful, and a place I would love to vacation, but it certainly wasn’t “me”.  No, I went on to describe a dream home made of garbage.

I walked over to my dresser, my antique white dresser, my most cherished piece of furniture.  I touched it, I may have even hugged it as I went off on another long tangent about why I loved it so.  Then I explained my infatuation with old things, things that look like they have a tale to tell, things that come with a mysterious history.

I ran my fingers over the peeling paint that revealed many layers of color underneath.  I traced the hardware with my pointer and said something cliche like “they don’t make ‘em like they used to”.  I’m sure my eyes took on that off-in-the-distance look as I imagined all the possible stories that went with each layer.  I’m sure I must have gotten lost in my own fantasy as I described my dream home being filled with discarded and salvaged treasures.

When I was done with my “I love trash” monologue, and snapped back to the present, I noticed a curious look on Papa’s face.  After a pregnant pause, he asked “Why does everything you like have to be detrimental to our children’s health?”  We just laughed, because it certainly does seem that way, by the looks of it all.  I can’t help it.  I love trash.

I love trash.  I love driving by a giant heap of garbage on the side of the road, pulling over, and finding an absolute gem in the rubble.  Like the weathered wooden bench that I thought was perfect for our patio.

I love trash.  I love going to a garage or estate sale and finding the rustiest hunk of metal there.  That thing off to the side that wasnt even meant to be sold.  I love the odd look the hosts give me when I inquire about it, and I love it even more when they say “That?  Oh, thats just garbage, I’ll pay you to haul it out of here!”  Like my toolbox or window.

I love trash.  I love discovering things that have authentic patina.  Those truly genuine “I’ve been loved and used” or “I’ve been forgotten and left to wither” works of art.  Like my lamps or my washboards.

And I love inheriting things that my friends and family are ready to replace with something shiny & new.  The things that are banged up, beat up, rusted out, and unfixable.  I love the stories and the memories and the sentiments attached to them.  I love being able to retell those stories to guests who inquire about my junk art.

And I love a bargain, I love the thrill of the hunt, I love saying “Can you imagine?! I found this in the garbage!” or “I got this for a dollar, can you believe my luck?”

And its not just the stuff that I love that surrounds me.  No, even my floors are this way.  I love the fact that after Papa was done with our floors, friends & family would say “Is it done?” when they thought they were coming to see the finished product.  And I’d say “Yes!  Isnt it beautiful?  Doesn’t it just remind you of a New York City back alley?!”  And they’d nod and say “yes” in dishonest agreement and then say “Well, as long as you like it.”  or “It’s different.”  It is different, and I do love it so.

Like Oscar the Grouch, I love Anything Dirty or Dingy or Dusty,  Anything Ragged or Rotten or Rusty.  And I love them because they’re trash!

Oh, I love trash!
Anything dirty or dingy or dusty
Anything ragged or rotten or rusty
Yes, I love trash

I’ve a clock that won’t work
And an old telephone
A broken umbrella, a rusty trombone
And I am delighted to call them my own!
I love them because they’re trash

Oh, I love trash!
Anything dirty or dingy or dusty
Anything ragged or rotten or rusty
Yes, I love, I love, I love trash!

And of course, loving trash, loving Anything Dirty or Dingy or Dusty,  Anything Ragged or Rotten or Rusty undeniably fits into Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

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