I am obsessed with bottles. Not because I like bottles all that much, it’s because I like to put things in them. I collect do-dads, trinkets, little bits of shiny things, mostly broken, mostly discarded and I put them in bottles. Lots of bottles. Maybe 20. So that’s probably not too crazy.
Like bits of broken glass battered by the ocean, shells of all sizes and shapes, broken pocket watches with the innards scattered about, buttons, beads, metal bits of broken jewelry, rocks and acorns, whatever catches my eye and I deem collectible. Whatever I think still has some use. I like to collect all of these things because who else will? Who else will see the beauty in the old rusty hinge at the Goodwill. No one. Except me.
Over the years, I have made things out of these discarded gems. A necklace. A pendant. I’ve hung things on my walls. I like the way it feels to surround myself with old, battered, useful, worn things. I take comfort in it. These things were once lost in the world. Discarded. And I found them. What beauty they hold!
It feels like redemption. Like the unlikely kid that makes the winning touchdown. Like the battered woman who gets away. Like the old man who sees the ocean for the first time. Like being made new again. Like second chances. Like one last shot to make it right.
Maybe I’m like those old little trinkets. A little battered, a little worn, a little lost. Not always, but sometimes. I’ve been rescued more than a few times, sometimes by my own devices, sometimes by another person, and sometimes by powers I can’t even fully imagine. I like second chances. I like redemption. I like when all seems lost, but then its found again. I like old bits of broken things in bottles scattered about my home, surrounding me. Reminding me that there’s always one more chance.
deconstructingdoctor.com 
I collect stuff like this too, but I haven’t been as creative as you with it. Some sit in bowls or jars or on my altar. But I agree, there’s something soothing in them. It’s why I wear preowned jewelry. I wonder at who had it before? Who were they? It’s a connection…. Lovely post.
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There’s just something special about bits and pieces that have travelled through time and ended up in our hands to be treasured all over again.
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Totally agree
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“One man’s junk is another man’s treasure”. My grandfather made his living as a Junkman back in the early 1900’s. He and my grandmother raised six children on that junk.
Now it is called collecting. Keep collecting it’s never junk, just discarded items. :o)
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Maybe a second career for me….
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This is a great post and I loved reading about your collections. I’m a collector too so I know the joy these scraps of time can bring.
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Funny how what some may consider junk can bring us joy!
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I really enjoyed reading about your treasures. I collect rocks. Not too big but those that are almost perfectly round or oval in shape. I have a stack of them on the fireplace hearth. I also look for the small rocks that have been shaped to near perfection by erosion and time.
And I have a huge collection of cat, dog and, bird figurines. Those are displayed in a lighted cabinet. I am fascinated by all that I’ve collected for at least 50 years.
I don’t think that we are a odd bunch of collectors. After all, our enjoyment of “our things” is much better than other vices that I can think of.
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Yes good point! I love smooth rocks, too. I have always marveled at certain artists that can stack and balance them. Such metaphors for life!
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I wrote stack but the rocks are not actually stacked. I should have written pile of rocks. I don’t know how folks mange to balance rocks. I really admire people that possess the ability to balance rocks. It must take incredible concentration and diligence.
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I tried it once and it was hard but in some ways I found the focus kind of relaxing not frustrating like it would seem. I mean it’s only balancing rocks not rocket science so it was easy to get lost in it. Try it😊❤
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I will but it seems it would take for ever to “build up” a stack that would actually balance. I will give it a shot one day-maybe soon.
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You and I really are two peas and a pod. My husband calls me a pack rack lol! I always say these little things I save have meaning to me maybe only me but they mean something to me and that’s what maters. You and I would have a blast together in a Good will and the ocean among othe places looking for treasures. You are not alone in this I am right there with you soul sister! I love you.
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I agree! This little treasures have value to us and that matters! Love ya Bonnie!
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