Posted in minimalism

The oldest thing: my bedroom dresser

Yesterday’s WordPress prompt asked the question, “What’s the oldest thing you own that you still use daily?”

That question required some thought. I’ve actually got two answers. The first is my antique dresser in our bedroom. We bought these at an antique shop in Connecticut shortly after we moved there in 1991. It was my first call, and we brought a bed, a crib, and a table with chairs when we moved into the 2,700 sq. ft. church parsonage.

We purchased two antique dressers and still use them today. They have to be at least seventy-five years old. Made of real wood, they have dovetail joints.

A second answer to the question could be the Revere Ware mixing bowls in the kitchen. My mom gave me a set of Revere Ware in 1979 when I graduated from college and headed off to my first job and apartment. I still have one small saucepan and three stainless mixing bowls from that set. They’ve served me well for over forty-five years.

A runner-up answer would be my trumpet. It’s a silver-plated Bach Stradivarius 43 I purchased brand new in 1979 from Red Bank Music in New Jersey for $600. I had to go trumpet shopping when my old one, a lacquered model, was stolen from my car in West Long Branch. I still play it, although not every day.

We decluttered our house when we remodeled it six years ago, so we don’t have a lot of old things around. If we weren’t wearing it or using it, we sold it or gave it away. It’s just about time to do that again. Funny how stuff accumulates on shelves and in drawers.

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