Solitude in the Country

Driving out of the bright lights, noise, never ending pavement and strip malls and into the country always starts out with a sigh of relief. Once I hit the mountainous terrain I start to smile. My body's senses immediately open up in a wash of freedom.

The tall trees lining the bendy road with their explosive shades of green this time of year makes me smile. My eyes dart to open expansive corn fields rigidly rowed against golden baled fields. The contrast is striking and makes my mind wander off into a Van Gogh painting. In the background my thoughts are lulled into relaxation with the sounds of classical and the occasional soft voice of the announcer explaining a movement or composer. I slow when passing lazy cows flicking their tails by a split rail fence. I am like a wide eyed tourist absorbing their life in the country. I hold a smile as I pass and around the bend is the familiar lake glittering from the cloudless, sunny sky. I look for boats and the water level and continue on. As I get closer to camp an Amish buggy is being pulled by a horse making a steady, slow trot in the heat. The man tips his hat and I wave. Oh, do I love the simple pleasures of the country!
I pull into the dusty, clay road off the paved mountain road and head up the hill to my camping spot. My travel trailer sits amongst trees waiting for me to extend the awning and open the windows. The fire pit is ready with wood. I can't wait to light it and set the grate with tin foil on it. The smoky wood makes the best hamburgers, steaks and hot dogs.
When I finally take a seat on my lounge chair I kick up my legs with a book in hand, a drink in the cup holder and lay back and close my eyes. I listen to the birds chirping, the squirrels zipping by and the chippies rustling the leaves in front of me. The cool air under the canopy of trees feels fresh and I am so glad to be turning the world off in the country.

Should I Use my Antiques and Collectibles?

First, do you know the original purpose for the vessel or furniture? I ask this because I think of a lady who showed me her "old soup tureen," she just loves! She knew I collected English Ironstone. She couldn't wait to show me her garage sale jackpot!
I had to delicately tell her the ribbed bowl with lid was a chamber pot! Again, do you know? What is a chamber pot? It was used for going to the bathroom. Generally slid under the bed if wealthier and emptied by a chamber maid. A chamber maid took care of your bedroom area. I thought this lady was going to faint after my reveal!

I have a family member who inherited a bureau desk from the 1700's. It's luster was carefully restored by a professional who understood true antique restoration. It is still being used for its original purpose and that is office papers and correspondents. This desk is easily worth over 20,000. Adults live in the house. Perhaps if there were children it would go in a spare bedroom until they got older.
Since I grew up in the business most things were always around me like an exotic menagerie. However very expensive glassware was kept in glass cases. My Grandfather really didn't care if I touched the other things. At one time he had a collection of iron toys and banks. They were so unique, you wanted to touch them. One of my favorites was a dentist you cocked back and it pulled out the patient's tooth in a chair! These banks range in price from $100-$1,000. There are many reproductions. In the 90's a perfume company gave away thousands of an Uncle Sam they reproduced.
I think antiques are meant to enjoy. If you have upholstered furniture you love with original fabric then maybe it's meant for a sitting room that is rarely used. Silk can be very delicate. I would seek a professional restoration company for advice. Sometimes covering fabric is tricky too because it needs to breath.
I would not fret over using collectibles like Pyrex, Smith, Westmoreland, Fiesta and Hull. My glass freezer containers are some of my favorite storage containers I take to parties. These are mass produced and hold value because people do like to use them. Still the best! I have a ceramic Hull mixing bowl I use weekly. If it's mass produced I would use it for sure.
What about Grandma's China? Is it hiding in a curio cabinet? I take my own China out for special occasions. If you don't use it, who will? If you're not fancy just treat yourself to a romantic candlelight dinner once in awhile.
Furthermore, unless it is truly an antique (around 1850 or before) or the materials extremely valuable, an important part of a genre's history then have fun and use it! Have you watched the, Then and Now episodes lately from Antiques Roadshow? Collecting is fast becoming a thing of the past for techy generations. So many prices have dipped to half from only 10-15 years ago.