Tiny Piggies Once upon a time, there was a woman who collected pigs.
She did not want to collect pigs, but someone's joke gift morphed into an avalanche of porcine acquisitions. They ran the gamut: silly, classy, expensive, cheap, practical, useless, big, tiny, clever, hideous. Many were presents from friends, family, and students, but some were self-gifts, justified by their originality or the place they came from. Special shelves were made to house the mid-sized, shadow boxes provided homes to the tiny, and the rest evolved into an unplanned decorating theme throughout her home.
She did not want to collect pigs, but someone's joke gift morphed into an avalanche of porcine acquisitions. They ran the gamut: silly, classy, expensive, cheap, practical, useless, big, tiny, clever, hideous. Many were presents from friends, family, and students, but some were self-gifts, justified by their originality or the place they came from. Special shelves were made to house the mid-sized, shadow boxes provided homes to the tiny, and the rest evolved into an unplanned decorating theme throughout her home.
Then the woman moved. To a (much) smaller home.
At first she tried to find spaces for all the piggies; after all, they were gifts. However, she eventually conceded that many of them needed new homes. She took pictures of those that would be leaving - to ease her vague feelings of guilt. Then the furry and fuzzy porkers were given to children or sold in a yard sale. Statuettes, plaques, pillows, candles, dishware, books, and other miscellaneous pig items that didn't sell in tag sales were donated to resale shops. And, after many months, the collection was scaled down to those that fit into designated display areas in (mostly) one room of her (much) smaller home.
At first she tried to find spaces for all the piggies; after all, they were gifts. However, she eventually conceded that many of them needed new homes. She took pictures of those that would be leaving - to ease her vague feelings of guilt. Then the furry and fuzzy porkers were given to children or sold in a yard sale. Statuettes, plaques, pillows, candles, dishware, books, and other miscellaneous pig items that didn't sell in tag sales were donated to resale shops. And, after many months, the collection was scaled down to those that fit into designated display areas in (mostly) one room of her (much) smaller home.
Years passed, and although the woman appreciates her piggy survivors, she really doesn't notice them much. She does pay attention when preparing for company, and she sees...DUST. Then she takes some time to reflect on the memories of each porcine treasure while she gently cleans it up.
There are, however, a few she notices often: the tiny glass flying pig sharing space with some inspirational mementos, the wooden pig bank that collects change for vacations, and the mug.
There are, however, a few she notices often: the tiny glass flying pig sharing space with some inspirational mementos, the wooden pig bank that collects change for vacations, and the mug.
 |  |
As anyone can see, the mug is ... hideous. The close friend who gifted it felt its uniqueness and potential to be practical made it a perfect gift for her pig-collecting pal. And it was. Because two decades later, that pig still lives on the cup rack - when it's not sitting on the counter. Its insides are stained from countless cups of tea, but it still does its job nearly every morning, holding 16 ounces of steaming liquid while being easy to spot on any surface she unconsciously sets it on. She has never had to share the mug with anyone because it's, well ... hideous.
The woman's pigsty is much smaller these days, but she appreciates the people and experiences represented by pigs-past and pigs-present. And when she occasionally feels an urge to invest in a crafty pig thingy she sees in a market or shop, she satisfies the craving by taking a photo for her designated pig-collection room. No space or dusting required.
The woman's pigsty is much smaller these days, but she appreciates the people and experiences represented by pigs-past and pigs-present. And when she occasionally feels an urge to invest in a crafty pig thingy she sees in a market or shop, she satisfies the craving by taking a photo for her designated pig-collection room. No space or dusting required.