My neighbor's gnome collection made me rethink my whole approach

I was out walking my dog last Tuesday and stopped to chat with old Mr. Henderson who lives three houses down. He's got like 40 gnomes in his front yard all arranged in little scenes. I always thought it was kinda goofy honestly. But he told me he's been collecting them since 1985 and each one has a story about where he found it or who gave it to him. That kinda hit me different because I've been just buying gnomes online and sticking them anywhere without any meaning behind them. Has anyone else had a conversation that made you change how you collect or spot gnomes?

2 comments

2 Comments

colemartinez24d ago

Dude that reminds me of my uncle who had a whole collection of those glass fishing floats. He could tell you where each one washed up and what storm brought it in. Meanwhile I've been buying them at craft stores like a fool. Never really thought about the stories behind stuff until someone points it out.

paige_martin22d ago

Next time you're at a flea market or garage sale, look for the old ones with the deep sea growth on them. The new ones are smooth and perfect, but the real ones have barnacle scars and wear marks from the ropes. Your uncle had it right, those beat up ones always have the best stories behind them.

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