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Style & Sanctuary

While Pulling Weeds Near the Fence Line I Dug Up a Jar Wrapped in Plastic, and My Husband Told Me to “Put It Back and Forget It”

It was one of those sunny Saturday afternoons when I thought, “What better way to spend my day than pulling weeds?” I grabbed my trusty gardening gloves and headed out to tackle the untamed jungle that had taken over our fence line. Little did I know that my humble gardening task would take a turn for the mysterious — and slightly comedic.

A brick house with a green lawn and trees.
Photo by Roger Starnes Sr on Unsplash

As I knelt down, tugging stubborn weeds from their cozy little homes, my trowel hit something hard. At first, I thought it might be a rock or a rogue piece of concrete, but as I dug a little deeper, I uncovered a jar wrapped in plastic. Now, if that isn’t a plot twist worthy of a daytime soap opera, I don’t know what is!

The Reaction: “Put It Back and Forget It”

Excited, I called my husband over, waving the jar like it was the Holy Grail. He ambled over, squinting at the shiny object in my hands. But instead of the enthusiastic reaction I expected, he glanced at it and said, “Put it back and forget it.” Wait, what? This was a potential treasure! A message in a bottle! Or maybe even a stash of long-lost pickles. The possibilities were endless!

His nonchalant reaction baffled me. I mean, how often do you dig up something intriguing in your own backyard? I could hear the whispers of adventure calling my name. “What if it’s something amazing?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. But he just shrugged, clearly not buying into the dramatic narrative I was crafting in my head. “It’s probably just junk,” he said, as if that somehow made it less exciting.

The Inner Debate: Curiosity vs. Caution

Now, I’m no stranger to the idea of “curiosity killed the cat,” but come on! I’m also a firm believer that sometimes the greatest discoveries come from taking a leap of faith. I mean, look at all those treasure hunters on TV — they don’t just toss their finds back into the ground because someone told them it was “probably junk.”

But there was my husband, the voice of reason, urging me to play it safe. “What if it’s something from the past that should stay buried?” he asked. Sure, I could see his point. Maybe it contained something that was best left undisturbed, like an old family heirloom lost to time or, heaven forbid, something more sinister. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it might be something special.

The Great Reveal: What’s Inside?

Against my husband’s better judgment, I decided to take a peek. After all, it was just plastic wrap, right? I carefully unwrapped the jar, my heart racing like it was the opening scene of a thriller movie. Inside, I found what appeared to be a collection of old coins, an assortment of marbles, and a random assortment of notes. It felt like a mini time capsule, a snapshot of someone else’s life tucked away for safekeeping.

As I rifled through the contents, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement. Each item told a story, and I could only imagine the adventures they had seen. Were they buried by kids playing in the backyard decades ago? Did someone accidentally leave them behind? My imagination was running wild, and I was already picturing what I could do with this newfound treasure.

The Dilemma: Keep It or Return It?

Now came the real dilemma: what to do with my discovery? Part of me wanted to keep it, display it proudly on our mantel, and spin tales of its origins to anyone who’d listen. But another part of me felt a twinge of guilt. Was I robbing someone of their memories? Would the original owner even care that I found their old treasures?

After a good chat with my husband, we decided to do a little research. Turns out, there’s quite a community out there dedicated to treasure hunting and archaeology. Who knew there were etiquette rules for finding buried treasure? We learned that returning items to local historical societies or museums is often appreciated, as they can provide a home for lost artifacts.

A Lesson in Curiosity and Connection

Ultimately, I ended up donating the jar and its contents to a local history museum. They were thrilled to receive it and even invited me to share the story of my unexpected find. It felt good knowing that I was contributing to a larger narrative rather than just keeping the items tucked away.

 

 

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