"Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing, ever a child can do."

 I'm not usually an antique mall shopper.  Costco, WalMart, and Aldi are my favorite stores. But, I like to look at old stuff and it certainly brings back fond memories, of the past. However, I rarely see anything that I think that I cannot do without. I don't go looking for old stuff to buy. I have a house full of stuff and there are very few antiques in my home...... of course, I am not counting the two 78 year olds, who reside here.

Well, a girlfriend and I had an urban adventure, yesterday. We went for a fun and tasty lunch at a place called "The Ship". It was definitely a dive!!!! Lots of ocean, and sea-faring decor.....a rarity in our land-locked town. After our meal, we perused an antique store or two. She, very quickly spotted a cute bright red cat shaped pin. It was a keeper!

I went "'round the corner" (quote from pg. 94), saying to myself, the only thing that I would ever want in a place like this would be......and there it was! BTW, in perfect condition, not a page missing or crayon scribble to be seen. A 1950 edition of the Better Homes and Garden Storybook. I hesitated almost 60 seconds, before snatching it.

What do I need with another copy of a really old, childhood book? The absolute truth is that my beloved original version, of this tome, has always been near me. I've moved in many times. However, because I have referred to it at least once a week, and quoted it almost daily, since receiving it for Christmas, in 1950, it is a bit "tattered and torn". (That's a quote from page 42.) The lime green binding, on my new treasure, is all in one piece, not duck-taped together. This gem contains almost all of my favorite, memorized poems. I now possess pristine copies of "The Owl and the Pussy Cat", "The Goops", and "The King's Breakfast". It has a copy of The Pledge of Allegiance, without the "under God". All of the pages of "The Little Red Hen" are intact. I'm in heaven.

So, dear readers, "Whenever I walk in a London street", "sail away for a year and a day" or "Spill broth on the tablecloth" or "go up in a swing",  I'll be remembering and quoting from my newly-found antique...my brand new old book                          .

.........................................................................................................................................................................

Dear Lord. Every day we receive Your blessings. Sometimes they are small and sometimes they are great. We are thankful for all of them.