Bookshelves

Dawn mentioned in comments that bookshelves are for books, not knick-knacks. I obviously agree. Bookshelf real estate is a precious commodity in my house, and I don’t see the sense in wasting it on trinkets. On the other hand, knick-knacks have a way of insinuating themselves into my life (“Ooooh! Shiny!”), and once in my house, they breed in the corners like Tribbles. It won’t be long before my nice, new bookshelves are riddled with tchotchkes. It is inevitable.

Which brings me to today’s crankypants observation. I’ve mentioned my addiction to house porn? I’d watch TLC and HGTV all day, if I could. One thing I’ve noticed is that redecorating shows invariably waste a chunk of their budget on purchasing tchotchkes. What on earth is wrong with people, that they don’t have boxes and bins and bags and closets full of crap, so that they have to actually go out and purchase decorative junk? I just don’t get it. I collect junk because I like it and want to look at it, not because I need something to match the sofa.

Photo: Speaking of junk accumulating. My mom had her chimney replaced years ago (it had separated from the house and was leaning out into thin air), and the pile of bricks from the old chimney is still lying right where it landed.