Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 12
MILL CREEK STORIES
Secret Stash
Ah, the things we save . . .
Text by MOLLY DUGGER BRENNAN | Illustration by JOSEPH MACKERETH
e all have possessions we hold dear.
Sometimes, it's something that clearly
has value to the world, like jewels, cash,
investment certificates, expensive heirlooms.
Sometimes they are things that
don't always look valuable to others but
hold a special place in our lives. It could
be an old piece of clothing, a sports trophy or a Depression
glass cake plate that has graced every one of your
birthdays since birthday number one.
W
Yep, I have my cake plate. I also have photos showing
me with my first birthday cake on that cake plate,
so in my world it's a precious artifact. In anybody else's
world, it is yard sale inventory at best. That's how it
goes. One man's trash is another man's treasure. That
sort of thing.
If you have something that's special to you, you know
where it is. It's in a safe place. My cake plate is front and
center in my walnut corner china cabinet that Daddy
made for me. It's just a corner chock-full of memories.
12 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
If you hold something dear, you know exactly what
spot it's stored in, even if you haven't touched it in 20
years. My left-handers' glove and softball have not been
touched in almost 30 years, but they're on a shelf in my
closet, ready to go if anyone is up for a 10-second game
of softball. I'm in, but physically 10 seconds is all I've
got for the sport right now before the " ouchies " set in.
That shelf in my closet is filled with " valuables " that
anyone else would sweep into a trash bag and not think
twice about it. All my dog collars from furry friends now
gone are there. My great-grandmother's budgeting system,
which is comprised of 25 very small, handmade
drawstring pouches, the amount that needed to be put
into them each month and the purpose ever so neatly
printed on each. Hair cuts, 25 cents. Books, $1. It surprises
no one that a woman in my family budgeted far
more for books than personal care. Family priorities.
I have seen this behavior in my animals, too. Currently,
I am babysitting a friend's rat. Her name is Shivani
but somehow I've been calling her Bert and she answers
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Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - Cover1
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - Cover2
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 3
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 4
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 5
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 6
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 7
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 8
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 9
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 10
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 11
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 12
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 13
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 14
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 15
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 16
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 17
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 18
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 19
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 20
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 21
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 22
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 23
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 24
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 25
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 26
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 27
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 28
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 29
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 30
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 31
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 32
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 33
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 34
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 35
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 36
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 37
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 38
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Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 40
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 41
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Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 50
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Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 53
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 54
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 55
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 56
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 57
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Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 60
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Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - 66
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - Cover3
Blue Ridge Country March/April 2022 - Cover4
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