Tuesday Treasures - June 24, 2025

 It had been quite a few weeks since I'd been to the other end of town grocery shopping.  That means it had been as long since I'd been to the Goodwill near there.  I popped in for a few minutes (groceries were already in the car) and found this.

Weeping Buddha carved in Bali from suar wood.  With my old lady discount and the balance on my loyalty card I paid only $2.25 for him.  I did round it up to $5 though, the extra that week was going to an animal rescue group. 

The information about Weeping Buddhas from Copilot (Microsoft's AI powered assistant, which I actually use quite often):

The Weeping Buddha is a carved wooden figure depicting Buddha in a fetal position, covering his face with his hands. This statue carries deep symbolism and is often associated with sorrow, introspection, and healing.

One legend tells of two masked warriors who fought countless battles, neither able to defeat the other—until the older warrior finally killed his opponent. Upon removing the mask, he was devastated to discover he had slain his own son. Overcome with grief, he buried his face in his hands, symbolizing the suffering of the world and the weight of human sorrow.

Some believe that rubbing the back of the Weeping Buddha brings peace and strength, helping to absorb one's pain and provide comfort. Others see it as a representation of deep meditation, with the posture believed to awaken the third eye, enhancing spiritual awareness.

I'm not sure I like the idea of rubbing his back so he absorbs my pain, after all, he's mourning the death of his son at his own hand! He has enough sorrow without my adding to it. 

It had been weeks since I'd been to the Goodwill Bins as well.  The Bottle Drop (where we can take our bottles and cans for redemption.  In Oregon we pay a 10¢ deposit on soda, water, etc.) was crowded, so my son and I changed plans and went to the Bins where is was surprisingly not crowded.  It's on the way home from the Bottle Drop.

He got a typewriter.  Yes, in spite of the fact he said "No more, I don't have room" not that long ago!  They don't weigh these heavy items, just give a price.  This was $2.00.  The employee explained they base the prices on what they estimate they'd get from the metal recyclers if they didn't sell it as salvage in the bins. 

He also found a lot of his kind of treasure!   He was particularly pleased with the purple coffin.  It's a Goosebumps fast food toy from the '90s.  One man's trash... 

I found mostly books.  

Other stuff... 

Not the first Mexican folk art nodders (or "loose necks") I've found in the Bins.  A turtle and a ladybug. 

In action!

A Japanese "Haniwa" style terra-cotta head/bust/mask.  It's marked, vintage, and most likely a tourist item.  I removed it from the board.

Speaking of Japan, here's a Good Luck Shiba Inu!

I have two Japanese Good Luck bells (Dorei bells) from the Bins, in clay, with the same matte finish.

Mostly I was glad to find a lot of books.  That week was hot (up to 101°) so reading was all I felt like doing!  This past weekend?  So cold I had to get out my warm clothes and put an extra blanket on the bed!  Now it's back to summer, but only the 80s so far.