I should have been an archeologist or geologist. I may have missed my calling.
I took several geology classes at Baylor—as many as I could and still graduate on time with a business degree. Daddy wouldn’t hear of any major other than business even though history and rocks and things buried beneath the earth’s crust always held a special interest for me. Who knows why certain people are drawn to certain things, but as I think back, there is a common thread in many of my memories.
I grew up living on the New Madrid Fault where earthquakes were a way of life. My best summer days were spent exploring the streams and trails in the Ozark Mountains and jumping from the rocky cliffs around Lake Norfork. Our delta fields often presented treasures such as arrowheads and other Indian artifacts.
And there are related snippets too, like buying a jar of rocks in Hot Springs and digging up pearly shells and pieces of rusty tin on the banks of Little River.
Obviously the Earth was filled with mystery. Literally.
Today as we install a sprinkler system and churn up dirt in our new backyard, I’ve been finding shards of creamware and pottery and chunks of heavy glass. Much like the sugary Florida beaches where a fresh batch of seashells wash up each morning, pieces of old stoneware and glass work themselves up from the ground daily. Okay, I’m sure most people prefer seashells to broken glass, but this sort of thing fascinates me.
I found this collection (below) during a five minute stroll through the backyard.
To most, this may only look like trash, and back in the early 1900s, it probably was. Without city trash pickup, garbage was often tossed out the back yard to the pigs or dumped in low spots near streams. Paper and food items disintegrated but glass and pottery waits to be discovered.
To me, these broken pieces are treasures. Bits of history left behind. I enjoy these shards not only because of the unique craftsmanship represented, but I like to imagine the family who used the dinner plates etched with faint blue flowers. What were the people like who lived in these hills at the turn of the century?
This next piece was completely covered in mud. I didn’t realize there was a design until I rinsed it off.
And what a thrill to find a piece with preserved words. A few keystrokes later, I discovered this stamp was the mark of china manufacturer Edwin M. Knowles China Company. The three numbers indicate the date of this piece as 1918.
If you are still reading (thank you), I have one more piece—a heavy piece of glass with scalloped edges. This one reminds me of quartz.
I can’t imagine all the treasures buried beneath the surface of the Earth. Real treasures, never to be discovered.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring?
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
“You can either be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It all depends on how you view your life.”
― Paulo Coelho
Musical Pairing:
Whole Wide World – Mindy Gledhill
Great perspective, thanks! I could see you with a metal detector checking places out
I’ve never done that, but it would be interesting, Renee.
Not sure if you have followed all of my blogs, but we certainly do share the interest in rescuing pieces of the past from the earth. Our construction has unearthed pottery, China, glass, bottles, jars, tools, and probably my favorite, a W.W. I toy “tin” soldier. Haven’t found a sack of gold coins yet but I’ll keep looking!!
I haven’t seen this post, but I’ll look for it. Yes, we do share similar interests. I’m looking for gold too:)
Going thru someone else’s burn pile with a cousin was the starting point of my love for old things. I also like stones and rocks from other places (think Eureka Springs). Great post.
I remember looking through an old junk pile behind the chicken coop at my aunt’s house. Lots of old snuff cans and glass bottles. Maybe that was my beginning.
Loved this post. “A little girl with great big plans.” That is you, Talya Tate!
I was thinking the same thing as Barbara…”a little girl with great big plans”. We enjoy digging around and finding treasures here too.
Thanks Colene!
Refreshes old memories growing up on the farm exploring pastures & finding old animal skeletons & rock fossils. Thanks for the memories..
Thanks Barbara!
Awesome post, Talya! We have so much in common…sorry, if that scares you…haha…anyhow, knowing that you spent time in Piggot, AR at the Pfeiffer home, I’m sure you thoroughly enjoyed the “rock” collection displayed there. My Geology class from ANC went there for a class tour. It was Incredible, to say the least.=)
Yes, I love the Pfeiffer mineral and gem collection. Very cool!
We both missed our callings. You should have those shards made into pendants or maybe a wind-chime.
Jeanetta – I’d like to use them in a mosaic piece. Maybe a bowl.
I love your treasures. Especially the blue china. I also think the idea of a mosiac
Lola took over the keyboard while I was on the phone and posted my comment before I was finished! I think the idea of a mosaic is wonderful.
Maybe we could teach our pets to do all our blogging:))
There’s something about girls who prefer digging in the dirt over ballet. This is partially why we garden, don’t you think?