When Our Everyday Life Becomes History
When Our Everyday Life Becomes History
Walking through a thrift store, a raggedy old candy box caught my eye.
Decaying cardboard corners held the story of a woman.
This box held the history of a stranger’s life; recipes and such from newspapers and magazines. The popular dishes of her day.
I was compelled to buy it. But why?
My friends thought I was a bit nuts, being ecstatic over a musty pile of clippings.
Yet, I didn’t see stinky paper…I saw her.
Eyes that scanned every newspaper, the back of each food label, cutting and saving ones that might serve her family.
Digging further I found her writing, details of a person who took a moment to sketch out what the finished product should look like.
On the backs of some clippings were numbers, division problems. Perhaps she was trying to figure out a way to make her money go a bit further.
I felt drawn to the person whose hands created this forgotten box. It was important to her. I could feel it.
And I honor her, those like her.
Our everyday life becomes less ordinary
The uninteresting details of everyday life become fascinating as they become history.
Certainly, she’d never have imagined this cardboard box turning up in a second-hand store.
She never dreamed that another woman, middle-aged, who loved recipes would be over the moon about this connection.
From her hands to mine.
Are you drawn to old stuff like I am? Do you see it as junk? What makes you stop to look at something closer?
Historical homemaker resources you might enjoy:
- Depression Era Frugality: Tips, Tricks & Life Hacks from the Great Depression Era that We Can Use Today
- Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management: The 1861 Classic with Advice on Cooking, Cleaning, Childrearing, Entertaining, and More (Ok, maybe not “practical” in a modern sense, but such fun to read! )
- The Homemaker’s Mentor Treasury of Homekeeping Skills: A Vintage Keepsake Collection
- Disclosure: I only recommend products I do/would use myself. This post may contain affiliate links that at NO additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission to help support this blog. Read full privacy policy here.
Yes! I love vintage, retro, whatever you want to call it stuff. “The uninteresting details of everyday life become fascinating when they shift into history.” You hit the nail on the head, friend. Something so intriguing about lives from the past impacting lives in the right now.
I often feel comfortable walking through 2nd hand shops. Whether it’s because I like to reminisce, or because I see things that remind me of days gone by, it’s familiar. I totally resonate with this post. Thanks, Christa. With each post, I seem to know you a little more.
This story touches me because an ordinary person left behind a written record, and you found it and now you’re sharing their story with the world. Even quiet, unknown people have some kind of legacy to leave.
Christa, I smiled while reading this article. A couple of years ago I bought an old drab olive-green painted wooden recipe box at a second hand store through which I was strolling. It’s one of those kinds that have a rod running down the bottom center that cards with a hole punched in it would be fit on. But stuffed inside in no particular order was an eclectic assortment of recipes including newspaper & magazine clippings as well of scraps of paper & index cards with handwritten recipes & meal plans. I, like you, am fascinated at the thought of the time & effort spent by the previous owner writing down & collecting these recipes from & for family & friends. I have my own small metal recipe box with a goose motif on it that I have had for some thirty years & is stuffed with recipes I have written down, cut out, or collected from & for my own family & friends. My husband & I refer to it often. Makes me wonder what will ever happen to my little box of recipes.As a matter of fact, I originally bought the wooden box as a replacement because it is so much larger, but for some reason I feel I would be somehow dishonoring the efforts of the previous owner by replacing or combining their recipes with my own. So I now own two separate recipe boxes. So much for downsizing! It’s just really nice to know that I am not the only person fascinated by the history of such things. My husband thinks I’m nuts!
What a sweet post. I love vintage but now because of my mold allergies/sensitivities I have to settle for reproduction vintage.
Christa, what beautiful post with great photos!
I love old things and collect then with great love. I have written about this love of mine in my book. I possess most of my maternal grandmother’s hand made lace and linen pieces, many of my mother’s also and others that little old women have given me. My home in Dimitsana is filled with them and when I find more in vintage shops, I still buy them. Testaments of a period that will be no more! I also have my paternal grandmother’s dowry agreement, hand written 120 years ago by a public notary, naming all clothing and household items that her parents were giving her for her wedding. …Everything down to the least important object.
What precious treasures Katina! When I visit you I hope you can share them with me?
I like books that people have written notes in about what they have read. I wish more used books had these notes.