Yesterday's free cycling went to great homes, the glass bowl made a regular freecycler happy, and the handmade paper went to someone who creates mixed media cards, good hands. She completely understands what she's got and loves it.
To me that's so much better than stuffed in a drawer. Someone local cautioned me about giving away too much, in case I regretted it. She referred to someone she knows in a retirement community who regrets having downsized. But I think that's different kind of person from one who emigrated from Europe with two suitcases and a trunk of books. And who three years later crossed the US to another new home driving all their possessions in a small car.
I wonder, too, if being a maker is part of it. If I need something, chances are I can make it! There are so many ways to enjoy things without owning them.
Today's poem, short enough to show, is by Amy Levy, who led a short, brilliantly talented, and depressed life. The first woman admitted to Newnham College, Cambridge, after men students had literally rioted against admitting women, so grownup of them, she wrote literary essays, novels and poetry, and ended her life sadly young, in her twenties.
This one may be directed at the woman she loved
Sue isn't a hoarder, but she a keeper of things because there might be a use for them somehow someday.
ReplyDeleteYes, a lot of people have that well, you never know, approach.
DeleteOh, that poem! It breaks my heart somehow.
ReplyDeleteI have to tell you that I'll be glad when you get all of this pre-planning accomplished. As pragmatic as I know you are, it has to be draining.
There was a wealthy family in Tallahassee, known for their philanthropic ways. Their last name was Diamond. The most well-known of them was Ruby Diamond. I swear, I think another sister was Pearl Diamond. There may have been others. One of the best performance halls in this area is at FSU and it is the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. But no vegetables.
No vegetables? Sigh. I guess men are only named after semi precious stones, like Jasper. Is this significant??
DeleteI'm a fan of Brideshead Revisited but I haven't heard of its "loose remake" in Saltburn. I'll watch for it!
ReplyDeleteI suspect that it's fans of BR who are upset about this one. It sounds very far from the supposed concept.
DeleteI suspect some of the things Pam left behind will end up on Freecycle or Marketplace. she had collection of Royal Daulton figurines which no one wants. what to do with those?
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of either of those movies.
There are some things nobody wants, like china dishes, a problem unless maybe donate to thriftie if they'll accept.
DeleteThis is hilarious. I was going to make a joke about Emerald Fennel (Amy Levy's long-time companion) as if it were a real person. What do you know?!? I once knew a woman (in the 70s) named Cookie Tulip (named by her parents, not by her hippie friends).
ReplyDeleteAs Bertie Wooster says, there's a lot of dodgy work at the font!
DeleteFrom talking to folks back when I decluttered in 2016, some folks have a hard time letting go and others don't. Being able to make something is a good point too. If I need it, like you, chances are I'll make it or find it for a good deal.
ReplyDeleteYes, different folks. It makes some people very anxious. It makes me feel lighter!
DeleteThere's a right-wing news commentator named Emerald Robinson, and she has forever ruined the name Emerald for me. As you said, I think some people have more trouble and/or regret decluttering than others do. Those of us who have made long-distance moves know that almost anything can be replaced!
ReplyDeleteThe only other Emerald I know of is a fictional character in P G Wodehouse, Emerald Stoker, known to Bertie Wooster as a good egg
DeleteI can see those two across the table from each other, the glances back and forth. I am glad times have changed for them, though it is still not perfect.
ReplyDeleteTrue, in some places.
ReplyDeleteOpal Onion. Not actually a vegetable, but close enough. I have always had too much. Some things I just can't get rid of, my china and crystal. I keep telling myself I need to use it or lose it, but.....
ReplyDeleteThat poem speaks volumes in very few words. I haven't heard of this film, either. I did like Brideshead.
Onion isn't a vegetable? Interesting. The thing is that somebody will have to decide about our stuff eventually. So I guess we're deciding who, in a way.
DeleteIt seems it is! I have not thought of it as a vegetable but as an aromatic. Now I know.
DeleteIt seems like it would be easier to give items away when they go to a person that loves and appreciates them. I'm thinking of you this afternoon. I hope your meeting goes smoothly and stress free. You are a wise woman.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'll check in tomorrow.
DeleteI had a few people say that to me when I did the huge clean out a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteBut honestly I’ve never needed anything i through out or gave away
Since then I’ve been very good about not buying stuff unless I had a need for it so I’ve kept the clutter down. Although I need to go through my clothes now and do it again
I think there's a just in case feeling about it for some people. You and I, not so much.
DeleteEmerald Fennell is the daughter of Theo Fennell, a British jewellery and silverware designer in London. She also was one of the midwives in "Call the Midwife", set in 1950s and 60s London, in the East End.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info.
DeleteI'm so far behind, Boud, in reading blog posts the past couple of weeks so i had to backtrack to previous posts to read about WHY you were going to the funeral director appointment. It's something we've thought about but haven't taken any action, so hope all goes well for you and HS for planning ahead. The free cycling is a good thing and if you no longer need or want an item it's better that someone else can enjoy it. The blue bowl was lovely and now has a new place.
ReplyDeleteEmerald Fennell is a fun name. I have a senior friend named Ruby who had sisters named Pearl and Jewel.
And now the kicking up of heels can begin.
ReplyDeleteIf it was up to me, most of the stuff I own would go but finding assistance to get rid of it is hard since I can't put it on the curb myself. I love the nsmr Emerald Fennell and thanks in advance for whatever is coming.
ReplyDeleteYes, you'd need help putting stuff out. If you freecycled it would work just outside your door, if that's possible? I put items on the step. But logistically that might not work for you.
DeleteEmerald Fennell is a wonderful actress and I was amazed to learn she was such a respected writer and producer. I first saw her in "Call the Midwife," and later "The Crown." Well done on the Freecycle!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look her up. She seems very talented all around.
DeleteWould be nice if we had access to a Freecycle here but even if there was such an organization, the building management wouldn't allow it. The best we can do is take things down to our laundry room and leave them there in hopes someone will want them. We've gotten some great things that way and given a lot away too including, most recently, a box full of Christmas ornaments.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds pretty good to me. Less trouble than free cycle, what with photography and posting and responding and arranging.
Delete