Flotsam and Jetsam

Each summer I make it my goal to dig out a school year’s worth of sludge from my house. The good news: I begin the summer with a wolverine’s ferocity, snarling away at the mess, leaving no drawer unopened. The bad news: As the summer wanes on, I become a lamb with a much more pastoral desire to graze on a good book.

Currently, I am still in quasi-wolverine mode. Each day, I decide upon a distasteful task and rev up the engines for a dive into the untidy underworld. The actual cleaning part is relatively easy with a bucket and a rag. It’s the sorting, organizing and worst of all, determination of the fate of each item plucked from its storage space that presents the challenge.

Basically, there are three piles. Keep. Goodwill. Toss. Should be simple enough, however, the mind can play silly tricks during this process. That hand-carved Christmas ornament I picked up during a Wyoming vacation fifteen years ago should probably head to Goodwill. I haven’t put up a tree in years so the need for that little treasure has expired long ago. One item down, hundreds to go.

Here is how the piles are shaping up so far.

Keep:

1) Bundt pan, circa 1976—Two reasons why this one made the cut. First, it was a gift I received at my wedding shower many decades ago. Secondly, who doesn’t love a Bundt cake? Enough said.

2) Empty shoe boxes—Fortunately, I don’t buy very many shoes so the supply is not overwhelming, however, the few boxes I have just seem so right for future needs. Tax receipts, small gidgets, scarves and office supplies snuggle into the rectangular boxes with ease. And best of all, there are handy dandy lids to keep everything dust free and stackable.

Goodwill:

1) Clothes—It’s no secret that I hold onto clothing items long enough for them to go in and out of style several times over. I was ruthless this year which means I’m going to have to add shopping to my summer to do list or maybe not. I kept a few “classics” and I’m not afraid to repurpose them into service for another school year. Look out colleagues, my gray crocheted vest might be making a comeback.

2)  Decorative items—If it’s bigger than a coffee cup, strike one. If it has no re-gifting possibility, strike two. If it has to be dusted, strike three.

Toss:

1) Gladware—I love the invention of the handy dandy little containers that aren’t as precious as Tupperware. The trouble is, I’ve been keeping them like Tupperware. So, Auf Wiederhesen, my pitted, stained little workhorse friends. You served me well, but it’s time for new pals.

2) Shorts—I finally threw away my last pair of stained painting shorts. First of all, shorts will never again be part of my wardrobe. The world just isn’t ready for that much white. And, secondly, I need a little more coverage when I paint. Neat, I’m not.

So, I continue to plod forward with my quest to tame the beasts of clutter and chaos. I’m not bold or naïve enough to believe that I will conquer all my closets this time around. But, I do know that I will have a few less things to pack when I head off to my assisted living apartment.

I’m sure my new friends will enjoy a Bundt cake just as much as I do.