The DU Lounge

Molusc shells from the Lake Erie shore. They look similar to clam shells.

Stray cats from anywhere and everywhere.

Pop beads from gum ball machines. Called pop beads because you could connect them together by "popping" a prong on one of them into a prong receiver of another one. They came in different colors so you could make up your own design for bracelets and necklaces.

Fossil rocks from the creek bed at my grandparents' farm. It was my older brothers who first showed them to me and explained what they were. I got fascinated with them.

Books. Our 5th grade teacher subscribed to a paperback book club for students. About 3 or 4 times a year, we got flyers that listed titles and gave short descriptions. I'd order 4 or 5 books each time to pay for out of my allowance (and borrow some money if necessary). Book prices ranged from 35 cents to a dollar. Average price for most books was 75 cents. Also requested books for birthday and Christmas.

ETA: I still collect books. Ex husband worked for a book store chain (now out of business) so we often got book discounts. Local library has book sales, too. And I order new ones online. The living room in my apt looks like a library. I've been sorting through them to donate to the library sales.

After a college geology course, I started collecting rocks.