Stylishly late to the party, I realize but let me just say this about that. I don't fit into any of these pigeon holes.
What's more, anyone that forks over the cash can do pretty much anything they want with the goods. They own it.
I've been fortunate to acquire some pretty cool stuff over the years. I've always spent within my means and remained responsible. And I can see that at some point it will be prudent to part with my stuff so as to not burden my family with that chore. I also heard that the tolls on the highway to hell are quite high and there is no easy pass.
I envision the last piece I will have will be the duplicate of a used red 1961 26" JC Higgins my dad got me for xmas about 1968 or so when all the kids were rockin Schwinn sting rays, or those who could afford them. To his credit it was in very good condition but I was otherwise horrified. It was the base model, a 50's throwback, tank bike wanna-be, given to a kid who just wanted a sting ray and Chuck Taylor's instead of PF Flyers.
I stripped the bike, painted it black and yellow, the colors of my future brother in laws racing Triumph and turned it into my sting ray. I never mastered the wheelie. The frame was too gangly for my undersized physique but it was no longer the embarrassment that I originally received.... or percieved.
A few years after I caught the collecting bug, I stumbled upon the very Higgins from my childhood on ebay. It was a bit overpriced and a pick up only in Indiana so I passed it by. It kept popping up on my feed as if to haunt me. I looked up the town and it was only a few miles from my sis in Merrillville. Done deal.
This time around, the bicycle will remain intact. It has been a life lesson for me in humility, appreciation and gratitude. None of which I can show towards my dad at this point.
All of our stuff has some kind of meaning to us and to do what we want with. We collect to the delight of ourselves and unfortunately at times to the disdain of others. If it's played out right, the Higgins will be the last in the stable. It's not worth a lot but it's value to me is treasurable. And if it goes to the curb after they are done cleaning up after me I'm pretty certain one of you CABERS will snatch it up.
There will come the day when we and our treasures must part. I think the chances of these treasures going to waste are very slim. And the cycle continues.