[thevagrant]

I think the brains ability to organize items becomes overwhelmed. hence you get this strange situation like you described.

They don't seem to be completely aware to the problem of decay (water damage, perishable item mixed with valuable item etc).

Perhaps their brain remembers the 'original state' of the item and glosses over the decay happening in front of their eyes.

[FreshStart]

It will sort itself out, once the tribe breaks camp and moves to greener pastures? Dad has the same emotional attachment to things.. It's all connected to some wild future plans that never gonna happen..