2011 Baltimore Orioles Schedule

Printed from the internet and posted on the refrigerator.

Perhaps the O's will do better next year?

You think?

Treasure or Junk?

Photograph of Two Geeks--Atlantic City (NJ), 1996

This photograph of my uncle Lyle (white sweatshirt) and husband Jerry (in black hat) has been posted on my refrigerator since 1996.

A few months before this photo was shot, the Unabomber (Ted Kaczynski) who had been terrorizing America, had finally been caught.

At the time, we thought these two bozos looked like the famous unabomber sketch that had been commissioned by the FBI in 1987.


Sketch by Jeanne Boylan, 1987 (Public Domain)
____________________________________________________

You know, pre-9/11.

Treasure or Junk?

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)--Notice of Baggage Inspection (English and Spanish)

As a regular overseas traveler, I find a lot of these inspection cards in my luggage.

I try not to get too paranoid about it.

The raciest thing I have ever packed is a large yellow rock that looks like a loaf of bread.

Honest.

Treasure or Junk?

OfficeMax Paper Clip--Magnet

Isn't it amazing how many companies vie for your attention through giveaway refrigerator magnets? Corporate America seems to understand that once a doodad ends up on your refrigerator, IT WILL NEVER LEAVE!!!

Treasure or Junk?

Handcrafted Eastern European Ladybug Magnet (unsigned)

I spent 10 months (2009-2010) in Eastern Europe, where refrigerator magnets are starting to make their debut. This hand painted Ladybug Magnet came from a kiosk in Ramstore Mall (Skopje, Macedonia). It cost 100 denars, which is about $2.25.

This small item, albeit cute, is an alarming sign, for refrigerator magnets are one of the first indicators of an emerging consumerist society.

On the other hand, European refrigerators are small, so, perhaps, all is not lost.

Treasure or Junk?

Madeleine L'Engle--The Other Dog Magnet

Treasure or Junk?

Preservation Hall Jazz Band--Summer Tour Schedule, 1998

This card just kind of hangs around on my refrigerator. Why? Who knows?

Treasure or Junk?

Democratic Party Postcard: What if Democrats Stay Home This Year?

And What if Democrats Turn Out Again?


If this face doesn't scare you, nothing will...
Arrived in Thursday's Mail (October 21, 2010)

Now you know where I stand politically...

Okay, okay, I admit it: this campaign strategy is a bit over the top, and, basically, sings to the choir.

So, oh, boy, here we go...

Treasure or Junk?

Baltimore Orioles 1995 Schedule

Treasure or Junk?

Pyrex Accessories--Timer

Several of these timers are on the refrig; most of them still work.

The one pictured still works and was purchased at the dollar store.

Treasure or Junk?

Catch Us--Community Transit

Treasure or Junk?

Postcard--Welkommen, Elk Horn, Iowa

There is an unhappy story connected with this postcard.

In the early 1990's, we were driving back from visiting family in Iowa. I saw the sign for the windmill and wanted to stop. While my husband griped the entire time, we spent about an hour or so in Elk Horn.

Our plan was to take a southern route so that we could stay overnight in Wheeling, West Virginia, and go to the dog track and look at some glass blowing companies.

Because of this side trip, we missed the first few races, where I missed placing a bet (superfecta), using my favorite numbers.

The numbers came in and paid $10,000.

Okay, perhaps I shouldn't be betting on the dogs, and this was my just punishment. Or, perhaps, by our delay, we missed being in a car crash. There are a lot of ways to look at this missed "opportunity."

Life goes on, and, all these years, I have saved this card.

Treasure or Junk?

Gecko Fan--Distributed by Geico.com

Front

Back
Speaking of fans...

Acquired at The York Fair, year unknown.

Portrait of The Gecko, that cute little creature with the British accent that advertises insurance for Geico.

I also have a figurine and a tire pressure gauge in the shape of The Gecko.

Treasure or Junk?

Baltimore Orioles Fan--The Baltimore Sun

Front

Back

This fan was acquired at some unknown time from Orioles Park at Camden Yards, probably two years ago, again a freebie from The Baltimore Sun.

Treasure or Junk?

Baltimore Orioles Fan--Baltimore Sun Giveaway

Front

Back

This fan was given out on October 3, 2010, at Orioles Park at Camden Yards by The Baltimore Sun. This was the last game of the season, and The Orioles lost.

:=(

Treasure or Junk?

Baltimore Orioles 1995 Schedule

Treasure or Junk?

"My Buddy" Doll

This "My Buddy" Doll was found in a pile of junk, in an abandoned house that my aunt was cleaning out. He was quite dirty, and his hair snarled and in every which way direction.

I cleaned him up, combed his hair, and washed his clothes, a striped shirt and bib pants.

I went to the Goodwill and bought the jacket, baseball hat, and shoes.

The hat has "Jakie" written in the rim, so Rhia, my granddaughter, named him Jakie.

For the past four years, he has sat on my sofa.

Treasure or Junk?

Scholastic Star Magnet: "Teacher Book Wizard"

Treasure or Junk?

Art Work by Granddaughter Rhia, Posted on the Refrigerator

"Daddy, Grandma, and Rhia," by Rhia, Age 5

Treasure or Junk?

Of course, to those who love Rhia, it's a treasure.

Also, anything that makes me look skinny is highly prized.

LOL

Baltimore Orioles 1993 Schedule

Welcome to Treasure or Junk?

This is my first post, so I will consider this my home page.

I am in the process of cleaning off my refrigerator, so in the next few weeks you will be seeing a lot of refrigerator magnets and other items that one would expect to find on the refrigerator, where stuff seems to live on forever.

Why clean off the fridge now? Who in the world ever cleans off their refrig?

Well, I have a good reason: yesterday, I was sure that the fridge had died--it made a funny clunking sound and then went silent. In anticipation of having to replace the old girl, I grabbed everything off the surface. Of course, once everything had been removed, she roared back to life.

I was left with a surprising amount of stuff, some of it important, some frivolous, some funny, but most of it outdated: old doctor and hair appointments--even a reminder for a mammogram, long since accomplished. Date: 2002. I don't even go to that doctor anymore.

I believe that this old Baltimore Orioles schedule is the oldest item found on my refrigerator, although certainly not the oldest item in my house. I still have stuff from my first marriage, which ended over 30 years ago.

The Oriole schedules will go back up because they pass the useful test--the ability to stick new stuff on the refrigerator. Besides, my hubby would take great umbrage if I threw away anything having to do with The Orioles.

I'll discuss the "inside" fridge graveyard at some other time--I have been known to grow some interesting specimens, but I'm getting better at keeping the ugly stuff at bay.

There will not be much text on this blog--the images will be able, for the most part, speak for themselves.

So, then, is this item treasure or junk?