Opportunities

April 22nd 2014

OP SHOPPING (Thrift Stores)

Okay, so I got all excited just before March and told myself I would not go op shopping for one month. Then when Tieneke and I discussed it, we made all these exceptions to the rule, like 'you can go in, but you're only allowed to get something if it's EXCEPTIONAL'.  I succeeded in not op shopping for nearly two weeks, but then this little voice would whisper "go on, there's something for you today". 

Well. It was usually right.

Take this beautifully spooky doll for example! I was trying to drive past an Op shop and only had 10 minutes to spare. I strode in quickly, promising myself I would not exceed my 10 minutes. Within five I had spotted her, dressed horrendously in a stiff green polyester dress patterned with small orange flowers. She was depressed about this, perhaps fearing she would be mistaken for a fire starter, remembering the days when she was dressed in silk or cotton. I scooped her up lovingly and was told she'd been named Sue after the lady in the shop who had dressed her that morning. 

"Didn't Sue do a beautiful job?"

Sue grinned, her back curved, glasses sliding forward on her long nose.

"Oh yes," I lied politely, "lovely".

"How much is she?"

"Oh, five dollars."

I got the hit right then. A small emanation of joy and adrenalin in my belly that rises up to my chest and spreads. An antique doll for five dollars. My hunting instinct has been rewarded. She costs slightly more than a coffee and far less than a magazine. I imagine that the owner was an elderly woman, someone who had stored things away and forgot where they were. She dies leaving a hardened son to deal with her burden. He's in a hurry to get the house empty and renovated, shocked at how many boxes fill the garage and spare rooms.

 "Just take all this shit to the charity shop". 

I will not be calling her Sue. As yet she is unnamed, though no longer naked. Perhaps the owner was named Ava or Pearl. Something elegant. We shall see.

Yes, I'm spooky, but that's part of my charm.