By Staff
I'm writing this installment from our cottage at Little Point Sable on Lake Michigan.
Just so you know, in case that you really do want to know, there are two porches at the cottage.
We seldom use the front porch, but we live on the side porch that is screened on three sides.
From here we have a panoramic view of lush vegetation and a variety of critters.
Scores of bird species visit the feeders along with the ever-pesky squirrels and chipmunks that raid the feeders.
Raccoons and deer frequent our yard, and even bobcats (and reportedly a black bear) occasionally sneak around.
In addition to the abundance of flora and fauna, a plethora of treasures was left by the former owners 24 summer ago.
Some of these "treasures" were trash to us, so they were "kicked to the curb."
Included in the cache of treasures kept was an ugly-I mean UGLY - orange glass pedestal vase.
I couldn't, for the life of me, understand what possible beauty anyone saw in it and actually thought about donating it for curbside shopping.
One fall we decided that the vase might be worth a penny or two after all and brought it home. For many years it occupied a space on a top shelf in a kitchen cupboard, unnoticed and collecting dust.
For some obscure reason, I thought about that vase while I writing about curbside shopping.
When my wife, Naomi, said that she was going to the antique show during the Dogwood Festival and was taking a small enamel bowl for appraisal, I suggested she take the ugly vase along.
Surprise, surprise! That was the first item appraised. The antique pro said it was orange peel glass from Czechoslovakia and worth about $200.
Although the vase grew in stature proportionately to its value, it is still ugly.
The trash-to-treasure concept hasn't changed my opinion of it.
I discussed this trash-to-treasure event with my friend, Shirley Laylin, a paragon of taste - she can make almost anything look great.
She suggested we put bittersweet berries in it this fall.
I think she was serious; however, I just stared at her over my glasses. She got the message-the vase is going back on a shelf (if my wife doesn't see me) and will remain behind a closed cupboard door. Or, I might take it to Shirley's house and let her use it for a season or two.
Before I leave here this weekend, I think I will scout around the cottage to see if there is something else that catches my eye. Oh yes, there is an interesting picture, under glass, hanging above the fireplace mantel - we think it might be worth something.
My neighbor up the hill rescued an enamel chamber pot I set out by the road-it now holds geraniums by his front door. He said anytime I want it back I can come get it. If it's worth something, I might. But then …
As a matter of interest, the enamel bowl Naomi took along wasn't valued. And although I'm still not convinced that the orange peel vase is lovely, I won't set it on the curb! It will stay in the cupboard, unless Shirley wants to borrow it. Now, if I could plant geraniums in it…