Funny thing. Most people empty their bookshelves and then sell them. Not so in this home! My better half has been hard at work emptying the shelves all week. He has made numerous trips to the library to donate books; the thrift store to donate books and flotsam; to school to drop off office supplies; and the shredder has been full steam ahead. There is one more shelf to empty and that will happen today. Most of the stuff on the last bookcase belongs to moi. We’re back at it.
He also procured a massive pile of moving boxes from a friend’s recent move.
So, once again, I am faced with the daunting task of what goes into those boxes. Why do I save what I save? Why do I toss what I toss?
At work the other day, I was consumed with making seed-paper castings. I had blenders whirring with paper scraps and cotton linter mixing beautifully into ginkgo leaves and such. Seeds were dropped into each form, water sopped up, and it was so engrossingly wonderful. My fellow art instructor came into my room and was doing her thing. I stopped and said, “Can you imagine having a studio and just doing whatever you wanted to?” We both sighed.
That’s the spirit I want in my new home. These are the luxury items I need; water, a bit of space and the chance to play with fibre, shells. driftwood, reeds and more. It made me rethink the house plans and I think they’re amazing. The onus is on me to keep all the garbage off of the counters. When either of us wants to use the counter space, I want it to be ready! Frugality in possessions. Touch something once and deal with it.
Open, clean space. Frugality. Carefully selected treasures on display. Peace.