I think a "messie" is something different. Maybe more from the "hoarding" perspective.
Having sorted through my Dad's collections, one thing is for sure, he was focused. He recycled. Although this life was too short for him to accomplish all the things he could keep in mind or plan for, he didn't just (or not) throw things out because they were old. He saved things because they had a use... he just had too many *uses.
His collections came from many different areas, but they were certainly collections. Not in the *usual catalogue-photograph-insure-cleanup-repair-assemble-showcase, but antique autos and motocycles (and parts) for specific years and models only, metal and wood working machinery, tools, projects, stock and literature.... electronics tools and equipment, projects and parts and literature... to match his skills in these fields. Collectable china, glass, porcelian and breweriana books and comicbooks notwithstanding... he had virtually every tool one could imagine for any fixit job one could *create. He was more of a "master of all trades than anything" and became known as the guy in the neighborhood who had the tool that you couldn't find or afford to buy. Of course he'd lend it to you with the only *stipulation that you use it correctly (which he'd proceed to explain or follow you to help) and return it... which explains a little about why he didn't finish doing for himself.
The "depression child" that Faldage speaks of comes from not having... learning the importance of not wasting as well as the importance of sharing what little you have with everyone throught all aspects of life. The overload of waste which consumerism brought to that mindset opened a hole between the haves and have-nots that was quite real in an upper-lowerclass neighborhood. He kept the Joneses up with each other, it seems.
BTW - After seven garages full of items and ten years of processing, maybe your son, Dale, should start now. I'm available for consultation. <wink>
peace
