Many years ago my sister made the mistake of telling a couple of people that she liked owls. It wasn't long before she was overwhelmed with them. Every item in her house had an owl motif. She then admitted to me that she had never really liked them all that much, but people assumed that she collected them and kept contributing to the collection. After a few years she quietly got rid of all of them, save a couple of her favourites.

I had an interesting blow-up cow for years. It was kind of cute and sat up on a top shelf. A couple of years ago someone gave me a cow ornament. Well then it began for me, people assumed that I was a collector. I guess that happens if you have more than one. I got rid of them all.

Anyway, last week I was smugly telling a friend that I don't collect things, that I don't want "stuff" around. She then asked "What about all your musical instruments?" This made me a little defensive, I mean we do have a lot and some get used more than others (except for the smashed to smithereens cello). I didn't really see this as collecting, but maybe she's right.

So what I'm wondering is what do some of you collect and why. What pleasure or use do you get out of what you collect?

Uh ... does anybody else see a connection between obesity and amassing these collections?

There is tremendous spiritual and psychological value to cleansing our lives of so much stuff.

I see your point. I have 3 shelves of atomizers.

But the bigger issue is I DO have too much stuff.. I'm guessing lots of us do. And I need to continue to purge extra stuff.

I haven't moved in 32 years. And I will in the next year... So thanks for the reminder... We don't need so much "stuff"

( also. kids can get their art projects etc. Or move them on !)

I collect salt & pepper shakers. I have about a hundred sets. I also collect cake stands, but don't think you can consider that collecting - as I own a cake company.

@@Dub I was just talking to my husband about a new glock for when he retires from the PD. That'll be my retirement gift to him.