June 12, 2017

RUTHLESSNESS


A cottage at the corner of Narragansett and Sunset Cliffs.

We used to live in a little cottage a tiny bit smaller than this one on Sunset Cliffs.  I was then the  proud owner of one bookcase….Grandma Maudie’s old packing crate/bookcase.  Much later I added another in the bedroom just for paperback books.  That was it.  Over the years, the books would double up and crowd themselves into messes, but there was no room to add more shelving. 

Later in the big house, we had bookcases in every room.  The floor to ceiling bookcase in the living room was 22 feet long.   We happily filled it with science fiction.  We did discard when we moved into this condo, but there were still masses of books.  Before we moved in here, the only thing I asked for was a floor to ceiling bookcase in the dining area. 

We are talking of moving again perhaps in a few years.  We have way to many dishes…five sets in the kitchen.  Worse are the masses of books that again crowd the other rooms.   Yesterday I started sorting upstairs and discarded three bags from the mystery sections.  I felt heroic until I started in on the style, décor, and quilting sections.  Drawing, poetry and writing too.  All I discarded was one book.  That was it. 

I have to be more ruthless. 



  •   Himself:  Helped with this next to last round of costume stuff.  Spent the day quietly till a late afternoon business meeting.

  • Herself:  Reminder: Need to get hooks for the front of G’s costume.  Can start on mine now.  Enjoyed a call from Margot at Disneyland.  Errands after lunch:  Cleaners, library, shop with the books, straightened out the shelves post 50% off sale, bought buttons for my costume and hooks and eyes for his.  Home.

  • Reading:  Continuing with and really enjoying “Katherine Graham’s Washington”

  • Gratitude’s:  That I’m finally starting on my costume.


  • 22 comments:

    1. That would be a difficult section for me to pare down as well.

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    2. Replies
      1. Thank you. I like it personally, says the artist.

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    3. Love the picture, Mage.

      It is never easy to discard/donate books. I don't envy you that job.

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    4. You seem to be in a very good place right now. Envious.

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      1. Yes, and it is just on the fog line too, but the three story climbs get long.

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      2. LOL Longggggggggggggggg.................

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    5. Is your place two story? Is that why you are considering moving? Otherwise, it appears to be the perfect place to retire.

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      1. It's three story....darn it. Garage on the bottom, living room, half bath and kitchen on the second floor, and big bedroom, tiny bedroom, and full bath on the third.

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    6. It is three story. I really like all but the long repeated climbs during the day.

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      1. Yes, a place all on one floor, no steps, is truly the answer as we get older. Our house is on a wood foundation so three steps up from front walkway, garage, and then two steps down to the family room. All manageable, though.

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    7. Oh wow... don't know why I thought it was only two floors. No wonder you had knee and hip problems. Stairs are killers ... Love that picture of the cottage. Did you paint it?? Lovely... I actually wrote something today. LOL I couldn't remember the name of the river in the photo. But it was still a nice photo of dinner by the river. I am finally pain free from my lower back problem that's troubled me for over a month now. Went to the chiropractor twice and voila! no pain this morning. A bit of stiffness, but I can work on that. Soooo relieved. Another train quilt is ready to be hand stitched (binding). I had one heck of a time getting it quilted so the thread didn't show through on the back side. Finally switched threads and they buried themselves nicely in the backing. Hugs to you...

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      1. I'm so glad to see you home again. But I also climbed stairs for many years and walked miles each day for my health and to work. All of me is worn out. So glad the pain is gone at last. Yes, I worried about my bobbin thread showing through, but it didn't.

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    8. I was about to tell you how much I love that drawing. Then I saw the above comment. You painted it? You are so darn talented, Mage!
      Moving? Oh my!

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      1. That was a pen and ink sketch on site. I water colored it in later with colored pencil additions. Just to make me laugh, it faded away over the years to almost black and white. Yes, you have to get your brother back to his drawing board.

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    9. My BiL was a bibliophile and had a truckload of books -- almost literally.

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      1. Good for him. Unfortunately, I have a few more than that.

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    10. Nothing more satisfying than a room full of books and nothing heavier when moving.

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      1. I was terrible and let my George move them down stairs. Now they have to go from the car to a wagon,....my job. LOL

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