I’m an admitted collectiholic, but there is no 12 step program for one such as me. It may be from having depression era parents who were savers and never threw anything out that had a hint of future usefulness. It is a philosophy that suits me, and spills over into everything I do.
If I have two of something, it begins to look like a collection and I end up with 15 t-pots, or 5,000 magazines. (You think I’m kidding.)
The problem comes when you run out of room. I have a wall of shelves in by office. Every picture album, every vacation scrapbook, albums of the features I had published, souvenirs, nick-knacks. Then over the albums, I place wall hangings because there is no room left on the walls to hang anything. I have 15 pieces, paintings and artifacts of some type hanging on the wall of my office.

No matter how narrow a wall might be, it has something on it, like these beaded rings from my trip to Africa.

If there is a wall, it is filled from floor to ceiling. And, I love and enjoy my treasures. And for many years, with growing children, I resorted to easier to store items made of paper. Just yesterday, while assembling  several different stamp collections to go to the thrift store, I found  notes that made me laugh:
HANZOFF!  Or I’ll sic my dirty P.E. clothes on you-they walk under their own power.

and:  Mary kenny hitted me   sally and kris wont play with me.
Silly stuff.

And, I’ve kept my mother’s name collection. She would sit with her cup of coffee in the morning and read the paper. Her rule was to only collect names of people whose last name was an adjective, verb or noun. Like Earl Silver, Rita House, Cathleen Clinker, Susanne Doubled. It had to be spelled correctly.  Then she expanded it to humorous name juxtapositions like: Mrs. Rum divorced her husband and assumed her maiden name, of Selma Sober. Warren Nipple married Carla Breast. Jean Sucker married Roscoe Candybar.  Dr. Michael Fox is an animal psychologist. I put it out for the thrift store, but took it back. Who would want something like that? She has a couple thousand names in her book. I finally decided nobody would want it and I loved her beautiful writing and took it back. See?  Downsizing is tough for some of us.

My entire brick wall has pictures of birds on it.

My son, Doug, built me five floor to ceiling cases to hold my magazine collection. I had to take a pick-up load of magazines to the dump. I’ve had guests who remove and examine every magazine.

I have plenty offers of help. People who say, I’ll help you. If you haven’t used it in a year, its time to get rid of it. OMIGOD. I shudder and quake at the thought. But, I know it is freeing and that my kids have warned me, “we are just gonna toss this stuff.”

It is painful and conversely freeing to get rid of  “stuff”. Jim estimates 5 years. I’m hoping for two.
It is something I have to do and can enjoy my stuff one last time before it gets tossed

ALL AROUND TOWN

Yesterday, we visited the National Hispanic Cultural Center Art Museum and the fantastic Torreon Fresco, painted by Frederico Vigil. The work has taken him ten years to complete. The silo type building with light from the ceiling opened to the public in 2010.  Unfortunately, neither place allows pictures. When visiting ABQ, don’t miss the Fresco. We headed for Oldtown, the preserved adobes and quaint shops of the one time business center of an older Albuquerque.

In front of this old adobe hotel from 1706 craftspeople ply their goods.

Inside  a tiled adobe fireplace once heated the  lobby.

Only historical buildings have a  fancy newel post like this one leading up the stairs. The building is now a restaurant and gallery; the stairway was blocked off.

San Felipe Church dates from the 1700s as well.

It doesn’t matter what religion you are or aren’t, the rich wooden door leading to the confessional is something anyone can appreciate. Lighter natural wooden pews contrast with the darkened tile and door.

The church is simple and appears to have had loving care.

Old time buildings have charm, and most of them sell light weight tourist souvenirs and t-shirts and decorator items. I didn’t expect to find anything I’d want to buy. Most of the choices are made for vacationers who want a memory of their trip, or a quick treat or toy while they enjoy the atmosphere.  The covered wagon had a display of hot sauces and our very favorite, hard-to-find,  Marie Sharps sauces were on sale and we grabbed two bottles of Belizian Heat. Jim visited Marie Sharps factory when he was in Central America in 2004.

People get funny about their hot sauces as in XXX rated. I liked the Screw The Republicans and Screw the Democrats best. Both deserve the jab.

And, they get serious about their hot sauces as in Venomous Hot Sauce, only available at the counter, if you dare. I’ll pass. I’ve smelled and tasted ghost pepper once before.

As you wander, cozy courtyards are available to relax and take in the scene. Several have gardens with flowers and herbs. It is a nice way to spend an afternoon. If you get off the main street, the smaller shops have distinctive south-western items, authentically crafted Indian jewelry, costume, baskets and pottery; fair trade items from around the world.  And some good art.

By the time we arrived, we were hungry and we peeked into several restaurants but I wanted to see the buildings on the old El Camino Real and the South side of Route 66. We didn’t find much to see but we ran into a our favorite kind of restaurant. Independent, family owned with many cars in the parking lot. Las Comolear. (Don’t depend on my spelling.)  And two days ago, Los Compadres. We can’t seem to get enough Mexican food, as in everyday.









We didn’t get to all of  Oldtown  and may have a chance to see the rest another day.