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Our oldest daughter is in her first few weeks of college. She wrote me an e-mail the other day asking me to look over an essay that she needed to turn in for a class. I thought her essay was great -- I gave her a few suggestions, but the subject of her essay really interested me. Her reading assignment was titled "Everyday Use" and the topic of her related essay was how the story shows the contrasting opinions on how we use objects to remember our heritage.
I was fascinated. I've never really tried to analyze why I'm sentimental, and why objects from the past seem valuable to me, even if they aren't. So the debate is.... should objects from your ancestors be used as decorations in your home (and somewhat preserved in the process) or should they be used as intended in your home (and possibly ruined in the process)?? My daughter said I could have permission to post her essay on my blog, and I will do that in a few days, but first, a homework assignment for you, my blog readers. The short story (only eight pages) can be found at the following link. I challenge you to read it and weigh in on the debate in the comment section below. "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker (author of The Color Purple) https://www.deanza.edu/faculty/leonardamy/Everyday%20Use.pdf
5 Comments
Sarag
9/8/2017 08:09:38 pm
Wow! That was an interesting read! Especially since I just got out the quilt my grandmother made to put on Abby's bed. I loved it on my own bed because she handstitched that quilt and that amazed me! So it has been stored for years, but now it's being used again. With the holes, with the wear that comes from loving a quilt. I don't even know how to answer since I cherish and store some thing and use others if they are a "good fit and look right with my decor. Both are valid to me, but storing something you don't like is not worth the effort.
Rachel
9/9/2017 10:30:13 am
Reading your comment reminded me that I have a set of dishtowels that my grandma made me as a wedding present... hand-stitched needlework, and I haven't been able to bring myself to use them. Maybe it's time.... Or I should hold out for my 25th wedding anniversary next year?? HA!! Good for you for USING the quilt and sharing it with the next generation. 7/25/2018 02:14:52 am
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Rachel MastersRachel lives near Arthur, Iowa, where she and her husband try to keep up with life with six kids. Together they operate Singletree Emporium, a place to find vintage and repurposed treasures. Archives
February 2018
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