Monday, April 18, 2005

CRAB ORCHARD MAGNET

  Flea Markets, Old Houses, Realtors

What do these three things have in common. Oh, nothing really. Just that the realtor told me another realtor was going to show the house between 6pm and 7pm. I left around 515pm and drove around town looking at comparable old houses. The Realtor wants me to think about lowering the listed price!!! Already! I know she is the Doctor here, but I think I could persuade someone to purchase my home at my asking price! It is just a matter of anticipating the objections and then offering solutions. She may be the Doctor, but I know this town and I know the true value of this home. It just is going to take someone who loves old homes...like I do.

An old home has so much personality and charm. I don't see something antiquated. I see a place where many lives were formed, lived and perhaps concluded. I sense the hope, love, and disappointment that has been drifting in and out of these rooms for 60 some odd years.

So, to kill time I drove around. I ended up at the Flea Market. Ironic. I am trying to get rid of stuff but I can not resist bring in more great old stuff into my old home! I found, what I think could be, a first edition of "A" is for Alibi, by Sue Grafton. A pristine 1967 copy of "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band", a cool post card of a miniature circus, circa 1950's...and the above picture with an inscription penciled on the back, "Isabella Johnson Crab Orchard, KY".

I had to have this picture for several reasons. First, I collect old obscure pictures that have been tossed away. I adopt these pictures in a way that is rapidly becoming eccentric. This picture really speaks volumes, doesn't it? Look how cocky some of the men are? Young and vibrant, cool and handsome. The way the cigarettes are held, the hand thrown over the woman's shoulder, the coke bottle empty on the table. The women are beautiful. So captivating in its simplicity. Unposed. Natural. WWII? I think so.

Secondly, Crab Orchard. I continue to find little bits and pieces of discarded Crab Orchard sentimentality. I am a Crab Orchard Magnet

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

what a cool thing to collect! I think your house is great
marti

Anonymous said...

Hmmm ... obscure, Crab Orchard, cockiness :-)
                   *** Coy ***

Anonymous said...

Cool magnet.  Good luck with showing and selling the house.  It just takes one person.  I hope yours goes as well as ours.

Anonymous said...

Ahhh...those of us with old homes know it's just trading one set of problems and solutions for another.  Your buyer will turn up.

Anonymous said...

Yeah I would hold off nice weather just got here and homes are just starting to move. Then the texes come in too. Those who get them. I went to craborchard. years and years ago we had friends down there.

Anonymous said...

What a cool old photo! I love looking at old photos like that. I have very few old family photos. My Mother holds on to stuff like that with an iron fist.

Anonymous said...

I hope the house sells soon or you will just fill it up with "stuff" again!  LOL!  Lisa  :-]  

Anonymous said...

I love old stuff! Have plenty of it too. Years ago (before prices skyrocketed) I began collecting Roseville pottery and depression glass. I could no longer afford to buy it unless it was from someone who doesn't know what it is, at a flea market. I live near one of the largest flea markets here. I have many things that were my grandmother's including pictures of both my great grandmothers. If you ever find yourself in the NorthEast you must come by! My most recent find was that of my great aunt taken in a Manhattan nightclub in the 20s. That is a great picture. Nelle

Anonymous said...

I love the photograph.... hang in there. judi

Anonymous said...

Oh boy, more stuff to pack!
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Great picture! I love studying pictures like that...and I always wonder what happens to make things like that be tossed out instead of kept.

Anonymous said...

It's a great picture. I see what appealed to you.

Anonymous said...

I love old and vintage stuff. I know what you mean by trying to declutter and ending up buying more stuff. I love your house. It looks like a craftsman from the porch details.

Anonymous said...

I think the picture is great, but I could NEVER collect things like that. I'd spend weeks trying to identify everyone in the picture, when and where it was taken, etc.

LOL it would drive me crazy(er)

Dan

Anonymous said...

Just stopped by to say, "hi." We have something in common.  I have photos in my attic that were here when I moved in over 30 years ago. I love old photos. I don't care who they are. I love wondering about their lives and imagining what they were like.
Angela

Anonymous said...

Now that is a great photo!  I'm thinking WWII as well.  Uniforms are similar to that era.

So, how was Tempest tonight?

~Dona

Anonymous said...

I've rescued a few old photographs myself - they make you think about the people, the time, and life in general.  I like the one above - I was thinking ww2 myself. I also like older homes with personality.  I'm tired of the cookie cutter homes, give me PERSONALITY! :-)

Monica

Anonymous said...

"An old home has so much personality and charm. I don't see something antiquated." Is this how you feel about men, too?

Anonymous said...

We really are soul mates. I love the picture. I cannot pass up an interesting photo or a journal that someone wrote long ago. My house is bulging with items that used to be a part of someone elses life. I wrote a story about Paring Down & I still intend to do it someday. I will release these treasures to someone who may love and appreciate them as I have. Good luck with selling your house. I have been there & it is an emotional rollercoaster. Endings are sometimes sad, but new beginnings are wonderful. As always, I love your journal.

Jean