Hootin' Anni's Day Trippin'

Rayne is our hostess this week. She asks from us:

"Almost everyone I know keeps things that others would consider junk. Twist ties, used wrapping paper, etc. What thing or things do you hang on to, and why? Or, if you are one of those super organized and practical people and don't hang on to things like that, do you have a collection that you would like to share with us?"

All I can say is this was mighty difficult. I'm known family wide for being a 'pack-rat'. I save anything that is a possible 'come-in-handy' down the line into the future. Actually we both are...Bud has shelves and shelves of nuts, bolts, nails, screws...etc. etc. etc. But you want something I save that would possibly be considered junk.

First off buttons!

A huge coffee can loaded with buttons. And, if you enlarge the photo, you can see that even the CAN is old! 1976 - A bicentennial coffee can. Ummmmm, over 30 years of storing buttons -which, by the way I rarely use, in this can. You could really consider this 'junk'.
Then....

Look closely in the upper photo, you can see one lone pig button. Well, there are 5 of them in the set. I took them off an old western vest, and saved them for Irene since she collects pigs [you should have seen HER house before getting out of her abusive marrage --filled with pigs --wallpaper with pigs too!] Anyway, I saved them with thoughts of using them for something I'd make her. No dice. Never used them.

Then, this large plastic bag isn't quite as old as the coffee can, but it's seen better days. These buttons are some my mother had in her possession when she passed away. Can I get rid of them? No. [they're probably all considered antique]

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Another 'come-in-handy' are Rx bottles and film canisters. I save them along with stuff stored IN them...nails, thumbtacks, tree lights, paper clips, push pins, even one has a set of jacks!! --those too are old, and they're mine!

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One more before I leave you. I saved three 'church keys'...do you know the expression church key? Or perhaps you're too young. They weren't actually keys to open churches [by the way, when I was a kid churches' doors were open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. No need to have them locked. People a long time ago could be trusted. Sad now that they have to be secured at night for fear of theft and vandalism, and you worship and pray only during sermons that are scheduled or make an appointment; if lucky you can be there when the door is open, but only if the church staff is there also.]

Okay, so here's three pretty rusted church keys...

They're actually the 'old fashioned' bottle or can openers. It's main purpose back in the 50's early 60's was to open beer! At least in our household. There still is nothing like the sound of the 'swish' of opening a cold beer bottle on a hot day. Ahhhhhhh, "Got Beer?" was our slogan...not 'got milk?' Of course one is stamped Coors...that's where I grew up. I can't tell you how many times I took the tour through Coors Brewery in Golden Colorado. Then, before we retired, Budweiser opened a huge brewery way up north near the Wyoming border...they even stabled a lot of Clydesdales too. Whoa....what a treat. Free beer and able to pet those gorgeous animals. All in one afternoon. \_/ "Bottoms Up!" \_/