When did antique malls change for me? What used to be cheerful momentos of past lives are sad collections of things no longer wanted. Like the Island of Misfit Toys, they gather waiting to be loved once again.

A collection of terrier figurines proclaims a love of the breed by an aunt long gone. They were left to a nephew with the Blue Boy print, RC Cola bottles, and a set of Aunt Jemima cookie jars that all sit in booth #34. People get treasures they find useless.

When my sister got Mom’s Shirley Temple Pitcher and Great-Grandma’s cracker set I was a bit miffed. They are never going to be used, but they are beautiful.

I’ve taken the salt and pepper shakers: the iron stoves, the ceramic flower pots, and the laminated Chinese tea pots with a dragon breathing fire on the pepper.

Such high expectations for humble pepper!

I have dibs on the ivory necklace that Uncle Don brought back after fighting in WWII. Unless she finds out that I got rid of the rabbit fur stole in a fit of conscience.