Antiquing

“I meandered through each stall, and once again realized that antique shops engage all your senses. You know the smell. Its the smell of grandma’s house or grandpa’s toolshed. It’s the smell of the memory of that old outbuilding you explored as a child even when you were told not to. Most potent, however, is the smell of precious time lost. It’s the aroma of mortality chasing us all into the same inescapable corner.”

“I let myself linger on the Porch of Indecision for months before I happened upon a closing antique store on Antique Row (RIP, Churchill Galleries‘ The Annex). Sensory overload ensued – a spate of furniture so beautiful, unique, and charming, at prices that made me squeal. Ideas and inspiration swarmed where I had been unable to visualize anything at all. I felt jocund. Instead of being bombarded by ads, I was free to take everything in.”

“I recently got into antiquing after agreeing to go with my mom and Aunt and going to a huge antique store. The experience of that store was like no other. Even though I didn’t buy anything first time out I told my mom a few days ago I have a weird desire to continue. I love old things and thinking about the entire lives they experienced prior. [...] But I do get a bit overwhelmed. First by thinking about all of the things that exist on this earth. Second I’m afraid that I’m gonna start buying every cool thing I see and not be able to stop.”