Thoughts From A Devonshire Farmhouse

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THOUGHTS FROM A DEVONSHIRE FARMHOUSE

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My theme this month: Stuff

I don’t mean ‘stuff’ as in any old thing, I mean the stuff we collect – nick-nacks, memorabilia, little treasures, mementos ... well, OK – toot! (And I suspect many of us have gathered even more over Thanksgiving and Christmas!)

Two things brought this topic to mind, one, the necessary house clearance after the recent death of my dear friend, Mal, and a conversation I had with another dear friend who was also in the position of having to undertake an enormous clear-out. During a telephone conversation we happened to mention all the things that need to be ‘got rid of’ either because of death, going into a care home or simply moving house. And yes, both of us admitted that we had way too much ‘stuff’ much of which might be important to ourselves but not to anyone else.

So what will happen to most of it when we’re no longer here to want it? Charity shop, auctioned (if worth any value) house clearance or, sadly, just binned or skipped?

The sad thing, what is regarded as treasurer, or ‘liked’ by one individual, is probably a heap of junk to someone else – even someone else in the immediate family. My husband has a habit of seeing 'stuff' in the local charity (thrift) shops, something he likes and buys it as a present for me. Nine times out of ten said gift is horrendous, but I smile and say thank you because I don't want to hurt his feelings, and I guess he was trying to be nice. It's just that he has no sense of what is nice and what isn't. Funny how all the china ornaments he gets manage to have an 'accident' after a suitable period of time. (Innocent whistle...)

Does it all come down to 'taste'? Good Taste? Bad Taste? And who are we, as individuals, to set the standard? Something handcrafted - not necessarily expensive - beats something mass produced in plastic, surely?

Without upsetting my US readers and friends, is all that gaudy Bling now in the Oval Office good taste?

The Archers Cast

For fans of the long running BBC Radio soap series, The Archers, there was a recent storyline where a painting at Lower Loxley Hall (a stately home where a few of the characters live) that depicted a slave transport ship - through which the ancestral family money was made. The painting was removed as it was in 'bad taste'. Was it bad taste? Should history not be shown truthfully? Is 'offensive' the same as 'bad taste'?

There again, ostentatious can be 'bad taste'... huge diamonds? Good? Bad? Maybe it depends on the context? Elizabeth Taylor was a very beautiful woman who possessed beautiful (stunning!) jewelry. On her, it was not gaudy or 'show off' - beauty goes with beauty - but on an ordinary woman? Maybe not a good idea.

Looking round one room, my ‘study’: I like the dragon ornaments I've collected, maybe the pot plants might outlive me if I continue to remember to water them. (Not sure if the palm tree thingy that was put outside for summer, and was then forgotten about when the first frost came will survive. It looks a bit... er... dead.) My books are mostly history text books, but I had a sad clear out a few years ago when it seemed daft to keep most of them as I'd not be able to read or use them (my wonky sight = unable to read print comfortably.) I donated the newer ones to the local library.

Yare dragons
this one was bought for me in
Ambleside, the Lake District
by a very dear, now passed away, friend.

CDs are mostly treasures - although there are a few that I don't really like that much. But who wants CDs now that there's streaming? (Apart from me?)

And the collection of acorn-themed stuff? I don’t mean actual acorns - although I do have a pot of those as well.) I have quite a few ornamental acorns. (No prizes for why I collect acorns!) The wine bottles used as candle holders? They are 'keeps' as we occasionally need candles because we get power cuts. But do I want to keep all ten of them? Not really.

My pictures? Only one is worth anything: an original Chris Collingwood [historical artist). It is the original painting that was used for the very first edition of The Kingmaking.

The dolls' house. This was rescued from a dustbin (read on!) and renovated. I love it. Some of the furniture and stuff was ruined during the move down from London ... well, it was stored in the garage and in true Hunca Munca Beatrix Potter style, the mice moved in... One other reason why it is a treasure: my Dad made me a front door for it, and a gorgeous dining room set of table and chairs. One of my favourite items in the house? On the sitting room settee is the knitting. Two dressmaker pins make the needles which are stabbed into a tiny ball of wool.

Another reason why the dolls' house is now a treasure is that a few years ago we were having a clearout. A lot of 'stuff' went on the bonfire. I took a deep breath and said, 'OK, get rid of the dolls' house.' (And promptly fled indoors for a heartbroken cry.)

Little did I know that daughter Kathy hid it, repaired and renovated it, and gave it to me for my birthday. I was - still am - thrilled.

my room, my desk a few years ago
(much messier now!)

Beside my desk I have several ‘special’ mugs that contain pens pencils, elastic bands etc - all chipped, cracked or handle-less, but all special for various reasons. There's one with a portrait of my pirate, Jesamiah Acorne, another with a mouse on the handle, another with 'H' for Helen. I bought that years ago while on holiday in the Norfolk Broads.

Most of us collect things, holiday or special occasion mementos, treasured presents ... not so treasured gifts that you smile, enthuse over then, when a bit of time has passed, get shoved in a cupboard or drawer before the next stage of being discreetly slipped into the bin. (see above re my husband! LOL) But stuff is stuff - and be honest, what would we do without it?

I was always hurt as a child, saving up pocket money to buy something nice for my mum for birthday or Christmas, only, always (yes always) to be told ‘what do I want this for?’. Every time, she did the same. Never, ever grateful. The most hurtful? I gave her a paperback copy of my novel about Queen Emma when it was hot off the press, just published. Her response?

"What do I want this for? With my sight, I can't read it."

Yes, like me she had Glaucoma and couldn't see print. But I assumed she'd be proud enough to want to show it to friends and visitors.

Obviously not.

I’ve always made sure that I smile and say 'thank you' when I get a present – my only problem now is that I can’t always see what something is, so I have to puzzle first then say thank you!

The 'stuff' even carries over to the Christmas decorations. Chris Mouse (a toy mouse with a red body and white ears) was 48 years old this Christmas. I bought him for my very first Christmas in my own flat back in 1977.

Mab as a kitten December 2010
still with us here in Devon.

husband Ron at his recent
91st birthday pub meal treat
(dessert: apple crumble)

I mentioned items being rescued from a dustbin... my husband used to be a dustman (I think we have to say 'Refuse Collector' now?) He found the dolls' house chucked out to be thrown away and rescued it. He also found a rocking horse. Not one of those big posh expensive ones, but one that was still pretty good, despite it not having a mane or tail and being somewhat scruffy. So what? I made a new mane and tail, cleaned him up, repainted his eyes, nostrils and hooves and made him a lovely red rug - and my Kathy's face on Christmas Morning when she was 7 years old was an absolute picture! We still have Mushroom. He lives on the landing upstairs. And that's why 'stuff' is so important.

not quite the same - but near enough

So yes, a lot of the 'stuff' I have is treasure, and it's going nowhere!

Mind, daughter Kathy is going to have a fine time clearing out when I’ve eventually 'gone'. On the other hand, her flat adjoining the main farmhouse has it's own selection of 'stuff'! Who doesn't?

How much 'stuff' have you got?

Goodbye until next month

lege feliciter (read happily)