#54

He can’t refuse an estate auction.  As a result, he has way too many tools.  It’s probably not the same shovel, but I’m going to say it’s the one I watched him and Grandpa use to build my playhouse with.  That makes it more special. 

#53

The resurfacing made this corner impossible to mow, so I don’t. 

#52

It was the only room that we didn’t paint.  Not perfect, but good enough.  

#51

We got used to leaving his door open a crack.  It’s probably unnecessary now, but I can’t see stopping.

#50

The tree should be too short to cast a shadow on her shed.

#49

The cows are gone, but the fence remains.  It needed to stay.   

#48

I’ve seen identical sets in antique malls.  She keeps hers on the hutch.

#47

He let her keep the board books when he moved downstairs. 

#46

She said she hadn’t lost it.  I doubted; got mad.  I found it 5 years later in storage.  Sorry. 

#45

I don’t know why, but I wanted a floating clock.  Fishing line and screw eyes in hand, I drilled the first hole…directly into my finger.  After a good cry, I tried again. 

#44

I accidentally bought two Silver Surfers 14 years ago.  He’s still my copilot.

#43

They used to buy one every vacation, at least that’s what I’ve been told.  By the time I came around, the tiny racks were full and just a fixture of the décor.  

#42

It was tedious, but a color can really make it feel like home.  

#41

She loves working with them and, believe it or not, we happened upon a going-out-of-business gourd farm auction.  Awesome. 

#40

It came from Arizona, complete with cactus skeletons and an antler.  It was just always there in the kitchen, so I never really considered how ugly it is until I saw it out of context, hanging in dad’s garage. 

#39

Every summer she grows the same variety of tomato plant.  The tiny yellow globes look so good.  They eat them like candy.  I hate tomatoes. 

#38

I always wanted one.  She gave it to me our first Christmas.  I never dreamed how much fun our friends would have when they visit, secretly leaving it in inappropriate poses.  Every time. 

#37

He preceded her years ago.  She still puts out both lawn chairs in their favorite place.  I’ve never seen her sit there.  

#36

He requested it be painted Spiderman red.

#35

The little tree produces every other year.  She’s still around as long as we use her recipe for pear honey.