What is it about clamshells

yay for macro
Originally uploaded by Alison J. L.

There is this, lets call it a trend. I'll be generous and call it a trend, but I think that it might actually be an ingrained habit, or custom, or tradition even of modern day coastal peoples to turn clamshells, much like this one---perhaps even one day this very shell, into soap dishes. Most often this is for the guest bathroom, or the kitchen sink. Sometimes it is for every water spigot in the house. Sometimes, the glory of the clamshell goes beyond just holding soap, and will hold other things: buttons, paper clips, push pins, peppermints. My question is: what the? What on earth inspires SOAP DISH! when walking on the beach and coming upon these monstrosities of calcification now hollowed by clammy death? And how is this inspiration so seemingly the universal inspiration of every beach comber with a house down the street? Something in me gets it, understands this collective experience, but I think I'll have to dig deeper to find the root, because really, it's weird.