Unnecessary Objects

I did it again.  This is what happens when I go through an entire day unsupervised.  I buy things.  Sometimes I trade for things. But mostly I buy them.  I can't stop.  It's just too much fun browsing all of those antique stores, second hand shops and flea markets.  I always find something I need.  Maybe "need" is not the right word.  "Want" might be more like it.  But, at least everything I find has some meaning or value to me.  Well, almost everything.  I'm still not sure what the motivation was to buy those miniature fat cat bobbleheads.  I guess you could say they're small works of art.  Art.  Yeah, that's it.  You know how I feel about any kind of art.

So there is a reason to my many and varied purchases.  As evidence I will submit this next photo featuring some of my important finds that I happened to have close at hand, and offer some explanation as to their significance.

The long out of print Richard Brautigan book was discovered in a used book store.  I like it because it reminds me of when I was seventeen.  It was a very good year.  The other book came from a general consignment store.  It's one of the most exquisitely written books I've ever read.  And I've read it several times.  The tiny painting on canvas was one of several being offered at a yard sale just outside Spearfish City Park during the summer festival.  The artist is Lisa Howard.  Similar works by this artist were being sold at one time in the store at the Dahl Fine Arts Center in Rapid City.  They may still be available there.  The campaign button has a very special meaning to me.  I found it in a display case at an antique consignment store.  Even though I was still in high school,  I worked very hard for Senator McGovern during that campaign but for some reason I didn't save any souvenirs.  I still believe him to be the most decent and sincere man ever involved in politics in this country.  The camera is my latest acquisition.  It was buried on a bottom shelf in a cluttered corner of another consignment antique gallery.  Didn't even see it at first.  I noticed it after picking up an old radio that was sitting in front of it blocking the view.  It's a Kodak Instamatic from 1976.  Still in the original box, complete with flash bar attachment and user guide.  The original price sticker from Sturgis Drug is still on the box!  $23.50.  That was a lot in 1976.  I paid $4.50 for it.  I know!  Right?  Can't wait to find some film and see if it works.  So, that's it for...oh wait...the camel.  I don't know why I bought that stupid camel.  It was just sitting there on the shelf, away from anything else.  It's very unusual.  And it was only two bucks.  Other than that I can't come up with any reason.  So I really don't know why I bought it.  I just did. 
I truly do enjoy these little treasure hunts that have become a part of my usual activities, especially during the doldrums of winter.  And these things collected along the way are really not unnecessary objects.  They are all important and meaningful in their own unique way.  Except that camel. I still can't explain the camel.

      Roger O'Dea      1/22/2014