Most of the things I bought in Mexico, Utah and Nevada though are on the walls or on cupboards. I do love Native American and Mexican artwork. Anyway, I thought I'd show you some of the things my family has brought home over the years.
The watch is a Mickey Mouse watch I got in Disney World when I went with my sister Liz. I wore it for years and then cracked the glass and it quit working. I can't throw it away because it reminds me of a wonderful day we spent together. The flower necklace is from Florida too. I bought the other two necklaces from the Navaho people who sell beautiful jewelry by the side of the roads.
I collected bells for awhile. This is an antique bell from a saloon in Shasta, California. They rang the bell at closing and used the top to open beer. Don't ask me why I liked it. Probably because it had something to do with beer. No, I just like old things. I'm not sure if it is an antique yet.
The arrow is made by James Shorty, a Navaho man. It is an artifact reproduction of the arrows used many years ago. The tip is very sharp. I made the rock thingy below it.
I collect some rocks. The one on the left I picked up from the desert in Nevada. The one on the right is from Northern California from a store near the Redwoods Park.
This is obsidian, which I bought from a rock store in Montana. It was originally used for weapons such as arrow heads and knife blades. It is extremely sharp; I have cut paper with it. It is used even now in surgical scalpel blades. It comes from lava. The more I think about it, I think I'd be at home in a cave. I love rocks.
I know this is a cheesy painting, but it reminds me of the city of Pureta Vallarta in Mexico. You walk uphill through the small streets up to the beautiful church.
I bought this dolphin in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It is made from sea glass. I looked up sea glass on the internet and found it comes from old pop and beer bottles or window panes that found their way into the oceans. Now that littering is discouraged, it is becoming harder to find. When I bought it, I just thought it was some kind of stone from the sea!
Hats are one of the most popular tourist souvenirs. My granddaughters have kept their Mickey Mouse hats from when they were little girls.
I have lots more cheap stuff that I love, but I'll spare you! What I love about souvenirs is they bring back memories of wonderful vacations. I'll leave you with this old picture of hubby and me in Mexico. The soldier was at the pier guarding the tourists or watching for terrorists, I'm not sure which.
We didn't intend to dress alike that day. It was kind of embarrassing when we noticed. We aren't that old yet!
