Thrifty and Grand
About 10 years ago while recovering from the house fire by way of thrifting, I wrote posts about how I’ve shopped thrift stores my whole life, when it was popular and when it wasn’t. It ticks several boxes for me. It is exploring, a treasure hunt, and education. It’s fun to find things you hoped for. It’s even fun to find things you have no clue about, and then find out what they are. Thrifting is environmentally friendly because it keeps things out of the landfill, reduces the pollution of production and keeps things local. It’s also great for the budget. Even though sometimes a thrift store will price things above retail, usually they price them at a bargain, especially if you’re not in a hurry. There is no telling what you will find in a thrift store. I even go to thrift stores on vacation sometimes instead of more expensive entertainment. I know. I can be a little over the top sometimes.
The cup in the photo is a pretty perfect estate sale find from today. I didn’t think it was priced and took it up to ask. The manager said $6. They did have a lot of mugs that were $6, so no surprise, but then I realized my thumb was on the price (actually $3), sooo glad I discovered that while she was still looking. I’d hate to go do the rest of my shopping, only to come back and have her think I had switched prices!
So what makes this perfect? There was nothing this kitsch in the gift shop when I was at the Grand Canyon. I love Saguaro cactus and vintage ceramics. This cup even still has the cold paint on the flowers. That stuff usually washes away decades before you ever see it, and it’s definitely toast if anyone ever put it in the dishwasher.
I don’t even remember if I got a souvenir from my own trip to the Grand Canyon. I went with someone who was trying hard to talk me out of making the side trip. I wonder what the trip was like for the original owner of this cup? Did they go in an old 50s station wagon? Was it more off the beaten path when they went? Did they hike or camp? Was it a geologist or someone who wanted to rock hound nearby? Did someone try to talk them out of their trip? Did they just grab an easy mug in a gas station gift spot and never even see the canyon?
Wonder, of all kinds, is part of thrifting, (at least for me) and now I have a reminder that one day, I said. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get the opportunity to do this again and I really want to see it now, while I do.” and so we went. I held my baby girl in her baby carrier and my son by the hand as I had a slightly panicky, protective moment looking over the edge.
I’d like to go again, spend more time, do more things, but if I never get that chance, I’ve seen the Grand Canyon, and I have a super cool bit of kitsch to help me remember some of the better things about my life.
