Thrift Find and Pen Pals

Have you watched the Pier One commercial where items in the shop talk to shoppers? They ask shoppers to come to the store and 'find what speaks to you.'

That is exactly what happens to me at thrift stores, items talk to me, calling me over for a closer look seeking a home where they will be loved and cherished.

I am a digger, I like to see what is at the bottom of the bin, or hidden way back on the bottom shelf at the thrift shops.

I am drawn to less than perfect items, tattered, stained, and chipped treasures are a delight to me. Don't get me wrong, I get very excited when I find a well preserved, perfect conditioned treasure to bring home, but I often times see the beauty in less than perfect items.

I like to dig in the isle where they throw have the school supplies, I like the old three ring binders with the pebble finish. I have many different sizes and colors, and when I find them with a rounded corner paper still inside, I'm thrilled.

Anyway while I was digging around that area I came across this correspondence secretary.

The spine is tattered, but I was drawn to the blood red of the embossed faux leather with gold lettering.

The inside has three different sections, and to my surprise and delight it still contained some stationary!

Center section has a green blotter with 8x10 linen paper, on the right some business size and standard envelopes. 

On the left, the paper was folded with note sized envelopes. When watching old black and white movies and someone gets a letter often times the stationary used is folded as the piece above. 

Also on the left side of this trifold is a small area where stamps can be stored, and an area where the previous owner had slipped in a few items.

It appears that whom ever this belonged to had visited the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin, had cut out television listings, and brought along prayer card.

This prayer card was a parent's prayer for a family vocation, whom ever this secretary belonged to wanted their son/sons to become a priest. I wonder if those prayers were answered.

Remember pen pals, getting lovely cards for your birthday as a child, letters from aunts, or grandmas in the mail?  I sure do and I treasure each one that has been saved, I like reading the  messages and seeing how my aunts signed their names, and the sweet little x o x o that were scattered about a card.

Linda who writes the blog Wetcreek had a fabulous post titled 'Are We Making History Anymore?'  pop over and read her thoughts on correspondence.

Any other snail mail fans out in blog land that would like to exchanges notes via snail mail?

Sir-Thrift-A Lot:  Thriftasaurus

A Living Space: The Nifty Thrifty

Costal Charm:  Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Me and My Shadow: Magpie Monday

We Call It Junkin: We Call It Olde Link Up

ColoradoLady: Vintage Thing Thursday

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson: Share Your Cup Thursday