MISCELLANEOUS INSPIRATION

There is a photographic project on ‘the ANTHROPOLOGist” blog by Foster Huntington called The Burning House. In it he asks people what ten or so possessions people would save from their burning homes? and why? He artfully photographs the items. He then categorizes the essays by generation, from the iGeneration thru Baby Boomers to The Greatest Generation. As Huntington discovered, the definition of the word “irreplaceable” is quite subjective, and is considerably different with age.

The participants in The Burning House project imagined saving items such as a Grateful Dead album, seashell and rock collections, handkerchiefs, a plastic bottle cap collection, a basketball, an espresso pot, artwork and favorite books, as well as more practical things including pets, laptop computers, car keys and passports.

When I came across the project a few weeks ago I was fascinated by the notion of the project and wondered what of my possessions I would want to save – large pieces of inherited furniture, photo albums, my portfolio, my bicycle… This was before Hurricane Irene hit Vermont with her fury last week.

When I think about the families who were caught off guard by the rapidly rising water and quickly needed to evacuate their homes and head to higher ground as the flood lapped at their doorsteps, I wonder what they grabbed in those minutes of panic? Their purse, raincoat, medication, cell phone? Surely they didn’t rummage through their drawers to find that favorite old shirt or their children’s christening gowns.

This isn’t to say that The Burning House isn’t an interesting look at the personal possessions that are meaningful to the people interviewed and which they would mourn the loss of. But perhaps the project should be called something a bit less dramatic like “The 10 Things That I would Hate To Lose In A Fire”.

I am fortunate not to have lost a thing in the flood. If you are able, please give to any number of Irene flood relief funds to help those people who have lost so much. Every little bit counts. For a list of Vermont relief funds click here or to donate manpower click here. Thank you for helping re-build Vermont.

Irreplaceable personal items of one participant in The Burning House project.

Here’s an easy way to help support the relief effort in Vermont in the wake of this week’s flood devastation – especially if you’re out-of-state and can’t wield a shovel. Two Vermont companies are making and selling benefit tee shirts. (Great looking with muck boots and a face mask!)

Order an “I’m With Vermont” tee shirt from Independent Vermont Clothing for $25 and the profits (about $15) will go to the Red Cross’ efforts to get Vermonters back on their feet. Shirts will be printed September 15^th.

Awesome Graphics in Rutland, VT is screening “I Am Vermont Strong” tees and selling them for $25 and donating the profit to The Vermont Food Bank.

For more ways to help Vermont flood relief operations click here.