Life’s Too Short For Antiquing

May 29, 2012

Stopped off at an antique store on the way home from taking Renee to work at Taylorville Terrace. There is something eerily fascinating yet strangely sad about antique stores. They have a way of making the world feel as if time is standing still, while at the same time urging – pleading – you to get on with your life. 

“Life’s too short for antiquing.” 

Even as a child of the late-80’s in my mid-20’s, I have always had a deep appreciation for anything generations before my time. I have also consistently been of the opinion that there is something ironically fraudulent about keeping an elementary music textbook, printed circa-1909, in a plastic milk crate on the floor next to an electronic drum set. Or playing a popping pre-war shellac record on a post-9/11 plastic turntable fashioned after a mid-’60’s car radio.  But now, taking residence in a home that is at least as old as my grandmother, if not older, and one which lends itself to such treasures, I can purchase these second- or third-hand items and feel like their rightful, original owner. Even if I’m not. Which, I guess, is also somewhat fraudulent. 

Today’s acquisitions include an old and slightly wobbly but classic looking wooden frame for my portrait of “Tin-Ear.” Now he looks dignified, hanging above my equally classic looking but much more modern (fraudulent?) oak record player.

I also purchased three novels, all of which pre-date 1932 (I think.) Not quite sure what they are about, but a quick glance through their pages indicate the classic prose I enjoy in novels. Who knows if I will actually get around to enjoying them but, in the least, they will complement Renee’s teapot collection behind the glass cabinet of our hutch (fraud.)

Rounding out today’s ticket: three skeleton keys. I have always wanted a home with skeleton key doors. Now I have one; however, none of the doors have the original keys to accompany the locks. So I purchased some (old) new keys (fraud.) The lady who owns the store said that if the keys don’t work, I could keep exchanging them until I come across some that do. I thought that was nice. I have no intention of using the keys though. I think I’ll just hang them next to the doors for looks. Fraudulent, I know.

d.s.