A Perennial Mouse

Inspired by a conversation with my advisor, Mara Blumenfeld, after a day of being at a loss for a subject, I went around my apartment to find something to just capture in a photo. I have this little wooden mouse that I place on top of surfaces that only such a small item could fit, a key hook or in this case, the thermostat. I think I found it in some old sewing supplies given to me by a friend whose grandmother no longer sewed, and I have always been really fond of it. I’m not sure what I find so charming, perhaps it was the notion that the mouse had a history of moving from place to place, because it’s purpose is unclear to me. Is it decor? Does it have a function? Who made it, and why? What was it doing in a sewing kit? It’s vagueness feels almost defiant.  One clear aspect of this item’s agency is its power in sparking my curiosity and enticing me to keep it in my care. I’ve managed to take this mouse with me through several moves for years now. In some ways, the placement of this little mouse marks my settling into a new home.

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