It’s time to go, more books on the shelf 212/365

     We are getting ready for a major purge in our bedroom, which really is two rooms. Scuppers was sick when we grandpet sat last week, and we realized how long we've had the wall to wall carpet. So we're going to take it up and work with hardwood floors and a few area rugs. This will entail getting rid of stuff--LOTS of stuff. We think we'll get a dumpster. I feel energized about this because I don't want to be stuck with one or both of us unable to clear out when the time comes.

    This is ended up primarily being a book purge; many New Age—past lives, astrology, ‘para’ this and that. Just the thing for someone at the put-and-take. Fewer books means fewer shelves; so far we’ve emptied four.

       Passing these books on to interested readers opens up simplicity, which is one of the goals in getting rid of stuff. When we decide to move, we will have already done some downsizing. If we stay here forever, what a BIG help it will be to our kids. In letting go of all those ‘para’ books, I have released all obligations to pursue the topics. Simplicity on the material, physical plane; simplicity on the psychological, spiritual plane.

     A revised form of this post is on my www.acottagebythesea blog, which is all about my longing for silence, solitude and simplicity. 

Summer furniture out, winter in: 199/365

Summer furniture out, winter in. We’re not really getting rid of anything, but this is clearing up and clearing out that has to be done. Twice a year I switch from blue stripped summer to light forest green for winter. Patio furniture and cushions are stored away in the barn. We feel like bears ready for hibernation. 

All that remains of Camp Fisher is the flag. 

Day 171/365 It’s time to go, junked-up parlor

     Sorry for the hiatus but we’ve been organizing more than getting rid of stuff. The old parlor has been transformed into The Reading Room. My part was to clear the shelves and let go of some of the books. My husband did the rest, and without accumulating new stuff I might add. Instead. he rearranged furniture, hung up pictures, vacuumed, and added a few choice interior decorator touches.

    Here’s what he sent out to family.

The front  room at 16 Concord Road has been thoroughly cleaned out and remodeled. In a brief dedication ceremony  Camp Fisher managers decreed that it is now and forever more known as The Reading Room.

The Room been completely refurbished with period antique furniture, including the old Eberman kitchen table and Stevens family writing desk, plus unique select items from the Sudbury put and take.

 Now warm and inviting, The Reading Room invites Camp Fisher guests to come and stay awhile, drop their cares and enjoy a good book, write a letter, practice on a musical instrument, or create  pictures and  sculptures.

The Reading Room easily converts into a guest bedroom when necessary, and is expected to be in great demand over the holidays.

Day 163/365 It’s time to go, desk

     I’m still in a lull. Why would I want to clear out stuff during these pristine summer days that invite me to walk and read? You don’t have to answer that one!!

      Today we’re taking a little desk that my husband found at the put-and-take to our son. It’s a birthday present that costs of nothing, but he wants it, and as the expression goes, ‘It’s the thought that counts.’

      And then there’s the lamp. Everyone’s first choice!!

    We’ll be returning with our grandpet Scuppers, who is coming for her grandcation while the family is on their vacation. In a couple of weeks we’ll let her go.  

Day 157/365 It’s time to go, excuses

     My bad, at least as far as letting go of stuff is concerned. Well, I only took two days off. But don’t I deserve a couple of Sabbath days? Excuses abound. First of all, the homestead looks extremely neat and orderly these days, which always alleviates any visual pressures to keep ‘clearnng’. And then, truth be told, cleaning up, also known as housework, really doesn’t interest me. In fact, I’m quite good at avoiding it.

    But I have other excuses, all definitely counterproductive to getting rid of things. I’ve renewed my interest in knitting and of course that means buying just the right size needles and selecting just the right textured yarn. Do I knit or get rid of stuff? 

And then there is my husband, who still can’t resist just the perfect item from the put-and-take. The other day it was a trunk, which is now all fixed up and ready to receive the winter’s wood. Where it will go? To be decided.