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Stones and Twigs

I had chance to visit a beautiful country just for a few days recently and added a tiny bit to my collection of rocks, shells and driftwood - things I collect everywhere I go. When possible I try to find locally made perfumes or essential oils. Local jams, preserves and wines  tend to be on my list too. The act of returning to tactile and sensory things from places I have been revives my memories the best. J commented that she is glad these things "spark joy" for me. Indeed they do. 

The first memory I have of a beach was visiting Pondicherry as a child. It was also the first time I collected a large number of shells and smooth pebbles. I remember arguing with my parents that they were all beautiful and very special and so I needed to bring them all home - after some resistance they gave in. There were soaps, cologne, candle and incense sticks my parents brought home from that trip. We used all of that very sparingly so we would have them to remember the trip by. That was the the beginning, 

 Over the years, my collection has waxed and waned - life has made me part ways with the past and much of its memorabilia. So I have started over a few times. Maybe its for a reason that I feel kinship with birds who lose their nests to acts of nature. 
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