I've given lots of copies of that Richard Scarry book (that and BUSY, BUSY WORLD) to children of friends, and it *astonishes* me how many have been unfamiliar with them.
American automakers would have forever dominated the world market if they'd hired Richard Scarry as lead designer. Banana cars, donut cars, pickle-ski-doos, apple-mobiles, alligator cars--as you say, who WOULDN'T want one?
I don't mind how reliable cars have become, but most of them look boring. That's why I bought the Family Truckster (green Subaru Outback Wilderness)... at least I can find it in the parking lot!
OMG, I have the bidet too & love it way more than I thought I would. There should probably be a substack just to talk about bidets. Or maybe not. But there’s a definite obsession there in the offing.
I love this list. I also think it’s brave because our obsessions do tend to come from deep places.
I also love the story about you just dashing off the essay on antlers. And that’s so smart about keeping a pocket knife on you. I used to have one, though they’re not a particular obsession of mine, until I started working at the Library & went through a metal detector each day. I buried it by the bushes outside & never went back to retrieve it ... tbh I think there’s probably a small artillery of pocket knives buried in those bushes. Some very well-armed squirrels too.
BTW, this is super confusing but I think the cataloging obsessions idea actually came from WanderFinder -- my substack -- but via Chris’ love of Jim Harrison’s poetry. Because of Chris’ recommendation, I got the complete works of Jim Harrison (I think you did too?), then wrote about the introduction to the book that talks about Harrison’s obsessions, which are such a great list: the road, stripping, nature, etc. (https://open.substack.com/pub/wanderfinder/p/the-road-stripping-nature-and-natives). I think that’s what you’re referring to?
Thank you for reminding me of where I got the Obsessions idea from: you!
And yes, it was due to Jim Harrison as well. But you followed him first.
As for knives, I buried one (and retrieved it) from a planter outside the Empire State Building when I took friends there after they installed metal detectors. I bet digging around in planters outside government buildings and landmarks might be as lucrative as mudlarking!
The bidet needs to remain a sort of secret club. Maybe we need a signal, perhaps a wink and an exaggerated "okay" hand gesture to signify the squeaky-clean orifice... But damn, I wish American hotels had them.
I'm considering a bike myself. I don't live so far out of town that riding a bike would be a challenge, it's just that the narrow country road is a fucking deathtrap. But leaving one in my space in Missoula, and doing my errands around town with it ... it's something to consider.
As they say, you never forget. It can be a little hard on old knees, so go easy if you get one. And I don't use one on streets around here. It's too congested. A narrow country road would be scary as well.
Ha! That’s what first came to mind when I was honest with myself because sometimes I obsessively count calories or weigh my portions... then the rest of the time, I’m like. Where the donuts at?? Hahahaha
I've given lots of copies of that Richard Scarry book (that and BUSY, BUSY WORLD) to children of friends, and it *astonishes* me how many have been unfamiliar with them.
Well, he can be a little dated, but I love those iconic books.
American automakers would have forever dominated the world market if they'd hired Richard Scarry as lead designer. Banana cars, donut cars, pickle-ski-doos, apple-mobiles, alligator cars--as you say, who WOULDN'T want one?
I don't mind how reliable cars have become, but most of them look boring. That's why I bought the Family Truckster (green Subaru Outback Wilderness)... at least I can find it in the parking lot!
OMG, I have the bidet too & love it way more than I thought I would. There should probably be a substack just to talk about bidets. Or maybe not. But there’s a definite obsession there in the offing.
I love this list. I also think it’s brave because our obsessions do tend to come from deep places.
I also love the story about you just dashing off the essay on antlers. And that’s so smart about keeping a pocket knife on you. I used to have one, though they’re not a particular obsession of mine, until I started working at the Library & went through a metal detector each day. I buried it by the bushes outside & never went back to retrieve it ... tbh I think there’s probably a small artillery of pocket knives buried in those bushes. Some very well-armed squirrels too.
BTW, this is super confusing but I think the cataloging obsessions idea actually came from WanderFinder -- my substack -- but via Chris’ love of Jim Harrison’s poetry. Because of Chris’ recommendation, I got the complete works of Jim Harrison (I think you did too?), then wrote about the introduction to the book that talks about Harrison’s obsessions, which are such a great list: the road, stripping, nature, etc. (https://open.substack.com/pub/wanderfinder/p/the-road-stripping-nature-and-natives). I think that’s what you’re referring to?
Thank you for reminding me of where I got the Obsessions idea from: you!
And yes, it was due to Jim Harrison as well. But you followed him first.
As for knives, I buried one (and retrieved it) from a planter outside the Empire State Building when I took friends there after they installed metal detectors. I bet digging around in planters outside government buildings and landmarks might be as lucrative as mudlarking!
The bidet needs to remain a sort of secret club. Maybe we need a signal, perhaps a wink and an exaggerated "okay" hand gesture to signify the squeaky-clean orifice... But damn, I wish American hotels had them.
Ha! The filth of that hand gesture would be outdone only by the cleanliness of the orifices. ;)
I think performing this gesture will be the first thing I do with my GoPro.
Did you know there is a bookbindery up by me? I've passed by it thousands of times. Always wanted to check it out. https://thebookbindery.com/
I had no idea! They look to be a hand bookbindery, who fix books. Very cool, though.
I'm considering a bike myself. I don't live so far out of town that riding a bike would be a challenge, it's just that the narrow country road is a fucking deathtrap. But leaving one in my space in Missoula, and doing my errands around town with it ... it's something to consider.
As they say, you never forget. It can be a little hard on old knees, so go easy if you get one. And I don't use one on streets around here. It's too congested. A narrow country road would be scary as well.
The bidet is a godsend.
Cataloguing obsessions! Yes. 👏 Love this concept. Though if I sat down and made a list, I might be disturbed by some of my unhealthy ones... 😬
I notably left out food😂
Also you just totally inspired me to write about this concept and linked to this post in mine. Thanks for the inspiration!
Ha! That’s what first came to mind when I was honest with myself because sometimes I obsessively count calories or weigh my portions... then the rest of the time, I’m like. Where the donuts at?? Hahahaha
I've been using Weight Watchers, and you calculate everything, wink I'm beginning to think uh, feeds into that obsession...
Yep. Yep. Yep. I use My Fitness Pal, but I think the concept is the exact same... def designed for people who like to track obsessively. Lol