Back in December of 2005, at Street Prophets, Deborah Brown placed a post called "Stuff" before her readers:
It's very PC at the holidays to bemoan the commercialism: the blatant, greedy, toddler-like grab for stuff.
The truth is, I love my stuff.
....
But there is no denying that some material things really do give us pleasure. As much as love and peace and togetherness are all anyone ever needs, there is much joy, beauty and fun to be found in many worldly, material, straight-from-the-mall items.
....
So today for a little low-key Friday fun, I invite you to tell us about some of your favorite things--and I do mean "things." No messages of time spent reading peacefully, but tell us about the book. You can talk about the joy of family dinners, but please describe your favorite serving platter. And you can mention love and romance and friendship, but also dish about that special piece of jewelry.
Over at SP, you get to give your comment a title. Here was my response:
Bed, Bath, and Beyond
I love my bed with the pillowtop mattress; it's so hard to get up out of it, especially on cold mornings.
I love my hot bath, although I'm told I'm too old to be taking hot baths. Warm maybe, but not hot; but I do it anyway.
Sometime I luxuriate in my bed and bath to such an extent that I am ashamed of myself. I am tempted to pray, "O God, if I make it through the pearly gates, please give me my pillowtop mattress and my hot bath".
Today I'd say the same about those two pleasures. I look forward to them and luxuriate in them every single day.
For those of you not familiar with the names of American chain stores, there's a little insider play on words here.
Oh, Mimi, I pray that you and I get to take our pillowtop mattresses into the Beyond! I love mine, too, and also my hot baths (bubble baths, sometimes) in which I sit and read luscious essays and books. Meanwhile, do not get me started on my china, my silverware, my washer and dryer, my Indian silks, my books, my shoes --
ReplyDelete[swoons on floor just thinking about those sexy little black sandals]
I love all my books, in six different bookcases around the house, and in piles and stacks in the bedroom and office. I like the new frivolous mailbox with leaves cascading down it that I bought to replace the one that came with this house that was built 50 years ago. I love the pictures of my family around the house and paintings (three of Mt. Baker in Washington) on the walls. I like all my shoes, even the ones I can't wear because I now prefer comfortable ones.
ReplyDeleteThis was fun--hope it was ok to participate, as I'm new here!
Mary Clara, I just know we'd get along famously if we met. We'd hit it off right away. I love other stuff, too, but I do hope that heaven has pillowtop mattresses and hot baths.
ReplyDeleteYour grandchild will be one of the joys of your life. I promise.
But as one of my friends pointed out, each new grandchild widens the circle of people to worry about. I'm afraid that's true also.
Jan, welcome. Anyone is free to visit and comment.
ReplyDeleteMy house is crowded with books, too. There's no more room on the shelves, and books are piled lying down on top of the standing books. I'm close to running out of that space, too.
I've got family pictures all around and too many shoes. Sometimes I look in my closet and think, "Emelda Marcos!"
I'm past the uncomfortable shoes stage, too.
Come visit again.
That you for visiting me and for the welcome, too! I live in south Texas, so we may be somewhat close to each other geographically.
ReplyDeleteI love my books. And my notebooks. And pens. And my LAPTOP, and wireless connection. I love those damn things, and I'd be seriously heartbroken without them. I might actually die from not having them.
ReplyDeleteI mean I love my family and all, but they are all so themselves and so unpredictable. My books and notebooks and pens and my laptop do WHAT I TELL THEM, WHEN I TELL THEM.
I love that.
I also love pajamas, of the cotton jersey variety. And socks. I have a sock thing.
The rest is window dressing.
Eileen, the question is: will you be able to take them with you when you die? Sometimes I think we will, or else we will find a better set of our stuff when/if we get passed the pearly gates.
ReplyDeleteYeah, our stuff don't talk back. I like that.
we love BB&B. and their twin/ competitor, Linens & Things.
ReplyDeleteBut you know, all of the good stuff at BB&B can usually be found at Costco, and much cheaper, too.
Okay, so assuming we're just talking "stuff" here:
ReplyDeleteOur range and convection oven, though my partner complains he can't figure the buttons out. That really is probably for the best.
Books: Too many to name. Last night I started "Evensong" and can tell I'm going to enjoy that read. I take great delight in the escapism of Harry Potter.
My VW Bug -- 5-speed, it's a hoot to drive. I know I'm a dweeb, but one can't help that. Vroomm! Beep, beep! Out of my way old lady!
My Mac laptop -- I echo Eileen's sentiments. My practice (and blogging) would be impossible without it.
Our townhome/condo -- Events of the past few years required that we simplify our lives, and downsizing into a townhome, and getting rid of "stuff" was part of that process. That turned out to be a very good thing.
Thus ends the litany of the stuff.
I love my hovel even in its present disastrously disheveled condition.
ReplyDeleteI love my MacBook and internet connections and all my friends with whom I share these blogs and discussions and life.
I'm jealous that I can't take a hot bath at home. By the time the tub is full, the water is too cold for a bath. Maybe while I'm doing remodeling I can take care of that problem.
My, my, what lovely comments.
ReplyDeleteThis was my counter-meme to MadPriest's meme with all his rules about platitudes and uncool comments. Plus, he got to pontificate (act like a pope) about what was platitudinous and uncool. There are no wrong answers here and no judgments.
P.S. I must admit that MP got more responses than I did, and some of them were quite good, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteWell, shoot, let's add another 'un here then.
ReplyDeleteCookware, especially good knives, a cutting board, and the stainless bowl that is exactly the right size for EVERYTHING.
Certain items of clothing, including a Cashmere sweater and one pair (!!) of shoes that are truly comfortable. even on my wrecked feet.
And the Bible my mama gave me when I was seven: a (brand new)
RSV; here, she said, figure it out for yourself.
Lots more, but that'll do fer now.
Well, shoot, let's add another 'un here then.
ReplyDeleteCookware, especially good knives, a cutting board, and the stainless bowl that is exactly the right size for EVERYTHING.
Certain items of clothing, including a Cashmere sweater and one pair (!!) of shoes that are truly comfortable. even on my wrecked feet.
And the Bible my mama gave me when I was seven: a (brand new)
RSV; here, she said, figure it out for yourself.
Lots more, but that'll do fer now.
How'd that happen?
ReplyDeleteI beg your pardon nonetheless.
Johnieb, that's OK. I'm catching up with the mad one.
ReplyDeleteWell, we already know I love shoes, especially my new red Crocs (and the yellow ones I had to order). But, I was just telling a friend that the only thing in life I ever wanted was "more".
ReplyDeleteI love my computer and books (read and pass along), photographs, outrageous things like my new red paper roses that are 10" in diameter and stand about 40 inches high.
I couldn't live without my cream for my legs - from another B&B store.
And, lest we forget, my jet ski - not back in the water with the hat removed from its impeller and running sooooo good and turning such tight curves so fast. I think I got whiplash this afternoon.
Nothing materialistic about this crew, is there? We're a decadent lot, and I put myself at the head of the line.
ReplyDeleteOops! I said no judgment. OK, I take the words above back. Everyone is cool.
KJ's reading "Evensong!" Yay! One of my all-time favorite books. God, there are some interesting characters in that book. Another gorgeous clergy-oriented book is "Gilead," by Marilynne Robinson. Different denomination, however. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for non-book stuff: my buttery-soft leather jacket, black Mia clogs, PowerBook G4 (circa 2001 and still going strong), cotton bikini underwear by Nautica (surprisingly comfortable.) And my house! It's a saltbox colonial built in 1927. Tiny, but attractive. I lived in semi-bohemian squalor for quite a while. I love having a house.
I enjoyed Evensong, too. I gave my copy to the church library after I read it, even with the one use of "fuck" by the author and hoped that the church ladies who are not wicked like me wouldn't object.
ReplyDeletePJ, I absolutely adored Gilead. It's one of the best novels I have read in the last few years.
Ah, GM, you strike close to home, even the bedroom, here, as the pillowtop is indeed a wondrous thing. Especially if one has had a restless night and only managed to drop off in the wee hours.
ReplyDeleteThe old legend said that the food of the Grail was whatever best pleased the one who ate from it. I think we can reasonably extrapolate that hope to include pillowtops and hot tubs, fine books and woodwork, and good kitchen knives. All so much more enjoyable than streets of gold as clear as glass.
Good grief, Tobias! I did not mean to stray into your bedroom. I won't tell anyone, if you won't.
ReplyDeleteI love books, books and more books which have a tendency to take over every available space in the house and some that aren't really available. I love my little laptop and the unprotected wireless connection (not mine) that comes to me from out of the thin air through my dining room window or from my back deck and keeps me in touch with friends and family. I love the new roof that went up on my house this past week courtesy of the every flowing grace of God and the generosity of a neighbor who knew that I did not have the funds to get it done myself. When I returned from Mass this morning and it was not sagging and the mansard was not dropping shingles on the front lawn my heart puffed up with pride of ownership.
ReplyDeleteBoocat, thanks for visiting. Your new roof sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor gets wireless out of the air, too. Not mine, because I have only a desktop.
I see that you are new to the blogscape. Welcome.
PJ, I added "Evensong" to my "to be read" list given your recommendation. Part of my "dweebiness" is to always plan at least two books ahead. :-)
ReplyDeletePart the Deux:
ReplyDeleteMy Prius, books and CDs which are kept under control only by continuous and ruthless paring, several paintings, all by friends, and family pictures, a number of which are from the Nineteenth c.
It's a material world, and I'm a material boy. Are we at thirty yet? Look out, Mad One!
KJ, your "dweebiness" knows no bounds. Do you never plan three, or one ahead? Would lightning strike if you did that? Would you not be able to breathe?
ReplyDeleteJohnieb, we're moving right along.
Allow me to jump into the fray and add another...
ReplyDeleteOur 2006 Honda Civic hybrid: just lovin' that 45-55 mpg.
I love clothes and silver jewelry, there it is. Whenever I buy a new piece of clothing, I make an effort to give away something else in my closet.
Yes, books, books, books! So many, so little time, and my local library that keeps me well-supplied with them and movies on DVD which I also love.
My father's black pulpit gown, heavy poplin and velvet trim, which I wear in the winter months when I preach. And all my lovely stoles--clergy fashion.
Photo albums of my daughters' births.
A hefty art book on Thomas Eakins.
And I wish I had a tub deep enough to soak in. My grandmother in Hattiesburg had a deep cast iron, clawed foot tub that was heaven to soak in.
Cynthia, you like your Honda hybrid. That's good to know.
ReplyDeleteWe have one of those deep bathtubs on feet in the small farmhouse where my husband grew up. It's nice, better than mine here at home.
I forgot my Prius - probably because it is in the hospital.
ReplyDeleteAnd my critters, birds and semi-feral cats.
OK, better late than never to this materialistic tea party.
ReplyDeleteBooks, books and more books.
My 2003 G4 Mac, my iBook (even though it has caused me trouble)
my CATS (But they don't really count as possessions. They are people.)
my featherbed (is that what you mean by pillowtop mattress?) on my 1986 WorkBench platform bed with my fun mola pillows
the rectory which isn't mine (too bad)
the clawfoot tub with HOT water at my own house
my Concept2 rowing machine
That's for starters. I may be like some out there with three wardrobes: overweight, normal weight and underweight. That demands a lot of closet space in an 1856 house that only has two tiny closets.
Caminante, the pillowtop is a fairly new thing, I believe. It has a pillow-like overlay on top of the regular mattress. It's not a featherbed.
ReplyDeleteWe like out stuff, don't we?
Grandmère? What are you asking of me? Reading anarchy?
ReplyDeleteJohnieb reminds me of a very important omission. Music! We have over 500 CDs ranging from early music to soundtracks, from renaissance to pop and country. It's all good and all on my iPod which is soothing me with flute concertos by CPE Bach even as I type.
Hmmm...let's see.
ReplyDeleteMy books (of course).
My A2 goatskin leather jacket.
My iPod.
Our Honda Odyssey minivan (roadtrip!)
Any highspeed (preferably wireless) connection to the inter-webs.
My Leatherman Wave pocket tool.
Ubuntu Linux.
A Digital Video Recorder (e.g. Tivo) with a decent cable or satellite service so I can watch the History Chan., A&E, Discovery, SciFi Chan., etc...
Give me a minute, David. I'm trying to picture an armadillo in a goatskin leather jacket.
ReplyDeleteI'm not getting it.
::says in his best Elephant Man impersonation::
ReplyDeleteI'm a human beeeeing!
Oh, sorry, David. My mistake.
ReplyDeleteThis is great Mimi! I will name my favs right now:
ReplyDeleteMy pillow top, no flip full sized mattress set on my oak Victorian antique bed...yeah.
My 1990 BMW 325i 4 door sedan...the first car I ever had and will have til it dies or me.
My books, and mean ALL of them.
Pictures of people I love.
Yeah, Catherine. No-flip. That seems strange, but there is a head and a foot and a top and a bottom, and no moving it around. One less heavy-lifting chore.
ReplyDelete