By Lois E. Wilson
I recently discovered I am a scavenger. You could say I am on a perpetual scavenger hunt. I was a recycler before it became political correct to be one.
The more I thought about it, that characteristic of mine probably grew from my being a child born during the Great Depression years. In an earlier column of mine “Life Lesson: Play in the 30’s” I wrote about how at that time we used items from around the house to create games and make toys to amuse ourselves. We could not afford new ones. Hand-me-downs were a necessary and important way of being frugal.
I am thankful as I became older, my creativity didn’t disappear. I pursued it into a career as an art teacher. My other interests such as writing also have a creative side to them.
With my art students I often had them do designs where they reused common things: buttons, spools, paper clips, anything they could find to meet the requirements of the project. They not only had to think outside the box, they often used boxes as a medium.
In the classroom, we had a container full of scrap paper of many colors. Every now and then I would give them an assignment to pick out 5 or more pieces from it and create a picture or design. They were not allowed to alter the scrap’s shape by cutting; however, it could be changed by overlapping.
Last year I moved into an assistant living facility. Much of the art equipment and materials I might have a use for did not move with me. After a month or so I had a burst of creative energy. I wanted to make a sign to put on the hall side of my door. What could I use?
The backing for my first door sign was the lid from a box of candy my son and daughter-in-law had sent me. It was brown with a swirl design; it looked a little like wood. I cut its corners so it would lie flat and covered the printing on it with my design. With some computer lettering and snowmen cut from a Christmas card—a sign with a message appeared,
The backing for a couple of signs was a manila file folder cut in two; also the cardboard which once held tablet paper became a sign. Flowers cut from greeting cards and colored envelopes were repurposed. Bows from discarded gift boxes had uses too. Now I feel rich in supplies with a new pack of construction paper, glue sticks, and some discarded cardboard given to me by the maintenance man. My signs from now through June are finished and ready to be put on the door. I am working on one for July. Yes, I am an optimist. My motto is “Hang in and hang on!”
I continue to be a scavenger—it is a challenging endeavor. I may yell as you start to throw something away, “Wait! I can use that.” And to all those who contributed by helping me fulfill my scavenger hunt requirements, smile as you pass by my door sign—you generosity is probably a part of it.