Having moved several times in the past couple of years, I've had occasion to ponder my stuff. Like all stuff, it all has a history; some boring and commonplace, some a little bit intriguing, fascinating, poignant.Today's item is an example of Mexican folk art. I was walking with my parrot around my neighborhood, and attracted a gaggle of Latino girls who ordinarily would have ignored me if not for Senor Mordida, my Yellownaped Amazon.
These were girls fully engrossed in American consumer culture. Their clothing and accessories advertised Disney princesses and Barbie. Yet, one of them was carrying around this cute handcrafted structure made of tree trimmings and broomstraw.
"Where'd you get that?" I asked. She shrugged, and said some old man had given it to her. She didn't want it, so she gave it to me. A nice pink plastic Barbie house was more her speed.
In Mexico, where American consumerism is unaffordable, the ability to make a doll house out of sticks and straw is valued. Thought and care went into the crafting of this little house. It's really cleverly done. It's sad that the little girls don't appreciate handmade, thoughtful gifts over brightly colored plastic trinkets. If they lived in Zihuatenejo, they might have a different attitude.
It's a great little piece of folk art. I put it in my garden, where I caught this scrub jay beating a tomato worm to death on it.
