Cabinet of Curiosities – A New Take on an Old Tradition

By K. Coats

For centuries members of the upper class would have something called a Cabinet of Curiosities on display in their homes. It could range from an entire room all the way down to a smaller display case. In these “cabinets” would be items from far and wide – mostly artifacts that were hard-to-find in the natural world. Remember those old bug collections kids used to make in elementary school? The curiosities would be like that, but much more encompassing. One could see unique shells, skulls, stuffed birds, rocks, feathers, and anything else deemed “curious.”

I learned about these through a podcast by Aaron Mahnke that

was appropriately titled Cabinet of Curiosities. The idea of a cabinet filled with neat items fascinated me, especially as my children began exploring the world around them. We already had a small collection of neat “things,” but it was mostly limited to a cardboard box stuffed in a corner.

So I did something decidedly unpopular, especially here in the South. I sold my China set that had no emotional value to me or my mother, and I kept the China cabinet my father-in-law had given us. He had long replaced the glass with plexiglass because of his children, and I’ll always consider him one of the smartest people in the room for that move. But I digress. I purchased bottles and jars of varying shapes and sizes, as well as some vintage-looking labels, and the kids and I got to work. We put robin egg shells in a short, squat bottle, our collection of blue jay feathers in a wide, flat bottle, and our prized bird’s nest in a large jar with a wide mouth. We looked up and identified as best we could with our Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southeastern States and made the labels as accurately as possible. The result has been one of the best hobbies my kids and I could have asked for.

The cabinet collection has grown to include both common and unique bugs, a nest made from horse hair, animal skulls, shells, unique stones, snake skins, and even a random bird leg. And before you clutch your pearls at the idea of bringing home random “specimens,” rest assured this mama has two very firm, unbreakable rules. Rule 1: Whatever it is must already have gone on to its Reward; no

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Ryan’s Remarks Continued from page 7

We all need to become better communicators (the key to all parts of life) and thus must have the unconsciously competent (fourth) stage as our goal. With that said, we should never stop learning (growth mindset) something new each day. In this stage, individuals have mastered the proper balance of highly efficient and effective communications.

What level of communications competence are you in? How far are you from reaching the final stage? Are you an effective and efficient communicator (top right/ green quadrant of the “E” model) who communicates (through all mediums) the best way? If not, what quadrant are you in? Do you want to grow? If you do, then you are reading the right column. I am here to help you if I can.

There is no better time than right now to strengthen your skills to become a better communicator. This growth will make you more successful in every aspect of your life. And it goes without saying (as we are in the second half of 2022) that we need such skilled communicators in our community now more than ever.

Thank you for reading, and as always, thank you for continuing with us on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!

the following might help: “No. I’m taking time to think it through and answer you. Please give me a little while and I’ll answer you.”

When you approach the situation in this way, you give the other person information to manage their own emotions and you have balanced the seesaw to a possible collaborative outcome. No one likes to feel ignored. Being ignored often stirs up intense feelings. When you decide to avoid and communicate your next step with the other person, you take the focus back to an outcome and not the person. Powerful stuff.

Let me be clear. I am not talking about a threatening situation, a stranger’s advance, or anything along those lines. A stranger reaching out through Facebook, Instagram, a text, or a phone call might require ignoring and blocking and avoiding the communication, all to stop it. Certainly, you want to take the wise and prudent steps to protect yourself.

However, if the outcome that you desire is to maintain a relationship, choosing avoidance with a brief communication gives both parties a chance to be “in the conversation.”

Proactive conflict management. Let it be a way of life.

Barbara Bailey is the co-founder and CEO of The Healing Bridge Foundation.

“The work of helping people with food insecurity shouldn’t be done alone,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who does it as long as it gets done. If I can help them, help others, that’s my purpose.”

In her presentation at the State of the County Address, Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson said the recipients of the Standard Bearer Awards “are examples of the Gwinnett Standard – and always strive to do better for those around them.”

And perhaps that’s what makes Chef Hank so deserving of the recognition.

“They put me on stage and gave me an award,” Chef Hank said. “I was so incredibly grateful and thankful to God. I pray about what I do every day. It was awesome to be in that environment and to receive that honor. It was humbling – a good surprise.”

More information at https://lettumeat.com/.

Conflict Corner Continued from page 9

Chef Hank Reid Continued from page 8