#164 Lost and Found

In writing class about a year ago, the instructor asked us to go around the room and suggest words for two columns of information--what you might toss in the trash (junk mail, beer can, expired coupons, etc.) , and what you would place in a shoe box used for small treasures (postcard, baby teeth, dog tag license, were some suggestions). A third list was words describing a snow storm (log smoke, deep drifts, dead battery, etc.) I think we developed a female character from the first two lists and incorporated her into a winter story using words from the third list. Or maybe we did two stories. It’s been awhile, but that’s my recollection. Nancy Zafris was her name http://www.nancyzafris.com/pages/reviews.html

While waiting for the children to descend on the nativity scene at church this morning, I looked at the next cubicle (there are four, gated like store fronts in a mall, two used for the library, and two to grow), and noticed the “lost and found” items were stacked on the shelves.

Adults (I presume)
3 umbrellas
2 casseroles dishes
1 glass pie dish
1 glass deviled egg dish
4 Bibles, NIV, Amplified
dark forest green knit head band
3 insulated metal coffee mugs for cars
Dr. Scholl’s moleskin package
Casio handheld calculator
Glasses case
Albuterol Sulfate Solution
1 red glove
1 pair of black leather gloves
Man’s white dress shirt, size 17 neck
Book, “The treasure principle”
Book, “Understanding the last days”
Book, “Pride and prejudice”
Book, “Bad girls of the Bible”
Book-of-the-month-club canvas bag
Ceramic white cherub
small notebook

Children
plastic hippo
Spiderman activity book
Snowman sequined purse
Barbie purse
plastic baby bottle with nipple
toy plastic pliers
plastic turtle
“Very hungry caterpillar” video
Black plastic hair band
right athletic shoe, about size 8--really used
right black patent Mary Jane, size 3--brand new
Timex athlete style watch, Velcro band, working with correct date
Plush puppy, Dalmatian
Book, “Fall secrets”
Book, “Meet Kirsten”
3 jackets, various sizes and colors
White hair ribbon
Plastic purse
Hello Kitty music box
pink underpants size 8, Hanes
plastic turtle
clothe diaper, ca. 1963 style (pre-disposable)
four Bibles, children’s style, bright covers

I wonder what family stories, arguments, and upsets go along with these lost items? I’m not sure I could get a story out of this--real lists aren’t nearly as interesting as make believe lists. This is probably representative of most Protestant churches’ lost and found collections.