Thrifted stories of the heart
I step into Emporium 31. Florescent lights light up the interior, a slight smell of old things lingers. Different booths with different themes, most not even having a theme actually. Just a jumbled mess of items waiting to be sifted through. Pieces that the booth owners probably got from actions or estate sells in pallets or collections then setting it up on shelves and bins, waiting for each item to be found by the right person at the right time. Some of the things are vintage and antiques, others are movies from the early 2000s, still, others are toys, clothing, or decor that were once loved but are now out of sight and out of style.
I love going thrifting. When I stroll through a thrift shop, it’s not always aesthetically pleasing, but there is something about it that I want more of. I want to hunt for that item that has been on my list for a while, or maybe stumble across something that I was not expecting. I mainly look for vintage, eclectic items. I know I could just go pick up something similar or a replica of a vintage item at the local Home Goods or Target, but it’s much too satisfying to find the original when you’re hunting through a plethora of things. Finding the item that has already been used and loved at one point in time, and you want to give love back to it. As much as it compliments your story, you are continuing its story.
A lot of the vintage items I find aren’t perfect, but not all things have to be new or perfect to be beautiful. Sometimes things with little scratches, worn spots, or imperfections are the most beautiful because they hold life. They have human stories behind their worn spots and love edges.
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I love giving pieces new life, reinventing them to be beautiful within themselves. The other day I was talking through a thrift shop and found a piano — two pianos actually, one black upright piano and one brown spinet. If I had my own space, I would’ve bought one of them then and there. They were both out of tune. The sheet music stand was off of the spinet. They needed to see the light again, given a but of love.
I would’ve loved to know who had these pianos in their houses. What fingers trilled the keys and what songs they played during hot summer days or on Christmas Eve. The wood wasn’t perfect, it has collected a few bruises, but it was once loved. Ending up in a thrift shop might have not been its plan, maybe it thought it would be a family heirloom forever, but this happens to the best of things, sometimes the best of people too.
I wanted to take these pianos home and make them mine, give them a new place where they would’ve been played on the days I find myself longing for a song on the soft keys. Or teach my Love how to play the duet, “Heart and Soul”, with me. But those pianos weren’t meant for me, not right now. Somebody will come along soon and see their bruises, scares, and potential then show them some love. And one day I’ll find the right piano at the right time to do that myself.
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I love discovering the stories behind the pieces I thrift. I recently acquired a set of baskets from an auction in Indy that I’m going to resell in a vintage shop I’ve recently started. After picking up the collection and taking it back home for further examination, I found a name printed on a piece of masking tape on the bottom of one of the baskets. Out of curiously and my slight sleuthing tendencies, I Googled the name. What came up was an obituary for a woman who passed away last year that lived in the area where the auction took place. She worked with children who had disabilities. She was an artist who loved pottery and baskets. She was once apart of a band where she played the dulcimer that she built herself. I looked up from my phone and to the baskets that sat on the floor. With a slight chance that they weren’t, I was holding this woman’s baskets. Her collection of beloved things she left behind. One of the baskets even looked handmade, and I wonder if she was the one who made it with her own two hands. Some people might find this odd but I’m enthralled. And I’m determined to continue these piece’s lives and add on to their rich stories.
A lot of people that I’ve sold things to tell me that they already had an attachment to the item they’re buying or they’re excited to use it because of a significant reason. A set of glasses are ones like their grandma used to have. The salt and pepper shakers match a tea set they thrifted last week. A set of bowls to go with a big set of plates of the same design that their mom gave them. The sugar and cream set will be their friend’s birthday present and they know she’ll love it. I love being apart of these stories. I love being apart of the reinvention process, continuing life to vintage pieces that will bring even a little bit of joy to someone’s life. And also being connected to the lives that these objects once belonged to. Objects and things aren’t our saviors or of absolute need, but they collect unique histories. Histories of the humans who once held them cherished them, or loathed them, humans with names and stories of their own. To me, being connected to the stories behind the pieces is more valuable than the piece itself. They are thrifted stories of the heart.
Things I’m reading RN
Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin —This book has been influencing me a lot lately. There is a chapter called “Alone with an Eggplant” and after reading it, I went out and bought myself an eggplant and cooked it for dinner (and it turned out mighty fine too). Food writing has been a niche of mine for the past year or two. I just love the way Colwin writes with reverence for food but while still being down to earth. It reminds me that I can still make delicious dishes while cooking at home.
Happy All The Time by Laurie Colwin — Another book by Colwin, although instead of essays, this book is a fictional rom-com. Right up my ally. After reading some of her non-fiction I had to give this book a go. Plus the cover, I’m always a sucker for good covers and this one does not disappoint. I had to special order it through my local bookshop, Wild Geese, because I couldn’t find it anywhere else.
This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens — Another rom-com. Next to food writing, I would say this genre is one of my favorites, at least in the fictional department. (Mysteries are right up there too.) And again, THIS COVER. So pretty and so intriguing. I can’t wait to dive into this one.
Home cooking
Say hello, a new little section here inspired by the book I mentioned above (I told you it inspired me a lot). I thought I’d add this little section every now and then to share a few cooking hacks I’ve learned or a few recipes that I’ve tried or created. I’m always experimenting in the kitchen so I thought why not share it with you lovely readers? This week I’ll be sharing with you a recipe I’ve made several times within the last few days: breaded chicken. It can be made traditionally or gluten-free (GF) depending on your preference. It will taste delicious either way.
Breaded chicken
Ingredients
6-7 tbls of olive oil
Chicken thighs (or breast if you prefer, tastes good either way)
3/4 cup flour (I use Namaste GF flour but you can use any flour of your choosing)
2 eggs, whisked
7 ounce bag of Panko Bread Crumbs (again, GF or full-on gluten)
2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
2 tsp kosher salt (optional)
2 tsp garlic (optional)
1 tsp pepper (optional)
freshly grated Parmesan (optional)
Recipe
Pour the olive oil into a medium frying pan and turn on the heat to medium-high. Use three bowls, one for the flour, one for the eggs, and the other for the Panko. If you’re using the option seasoning and spices, add them into the flour and mix.
One at a time, take a chicken thigh and dunk it into the flour, getting them fully coated but then dusting off the access. Then sequentially dunk it into the eggs, then into the Panko, completely coating it. Repeat until all chicken is coated. (Your figures are going to get really sticky.)
Gently place one or two chicken thighs at a time into the skillet. The oil should already be hot. You might want to use a lid or mesh shield on top of the pan so the oil won’t pop and splatter everywhere. Cook each side of the chicken for about 6 minutes, or until Panko browns and the chicken is firm but not rock hard. Once you have cooked each side for about 6 minutes, and the chicken is still not quite cooked, continue to flip the chicken until it has time to fully cook in the center.
Remove and drain each piece of cooked chicken onto a paper towel-lined plate tented with foil. Add more oil to the pan if needed when frying additional pieces.
Once all the chicken is cooked, enjoy! You can top it with optional parmesan. An easy salad with tomatoes, green beans, or eggplant grilled goes great as a side dish. Or anything else that sounds good to you!
The Mixtape
Forgive me, but I haven’t finished March’s mixtape yet. If I’m honest, there is only one album I’ve been listening to on repeat for the last several weeks and that is Good Women from The Staves. This album is golden. I must have a thing for women trio bands with an alternative/rock sound because along with the band Joseph and HAIM, The Staves are now among my top favorite music artists. Go give them golden record a listen.
I want to hear from you…
This newsletter is ten weeks old. Isn’t it crazy how time flies by so fast? Now that I’m five issues in, I would love to start included my reader's voices in this newsletter. The word narratives is plural — a term defined as “the art and practice of telling stories” — not just one single story, not just my own. I want to share other’s stories, experiences, and life from the Midwest and other regions. If you have a story you want to share with the Narratives community, email me at hello.meganelaine@gmail.com. Let’s talk!