We've all been there, live someplace long enough and suddenly you realize that you have an incredible amount “junk” which has filled every closet nook, basement corner and god help us, spare rooms.
On occasion we might vow to tackle the demon and in good faith we set out on our mission. At this point it becomes a battle of wills, the will of the junk and the will of the junkie. There will be casualties on both sides, some junk will be tossed or perhaps slated for donation but often the “lore of the junk” forces us to repack and store for “future” consideration.
Perhaps momentous events are required to turn the tide in our favor.
Consider moving to a new house, moving somehow gives us the courage to hold a yard sale, drive to goodwill (multiple times) or rent that dumpster that might just fill to the brim.
In my case, the illness is allowing time to poke around in my boxes of junk. So far the plan has been a "two- fer"; two boxes of junk consolidated to a single. (The single cannot be twice as large as the individuals) It's working fairly well but it's hard. For example; to a non-golfer this will have little meaning but to find a sleeve of “New” Titliest Balata Golf Balls in the bottom of a box elicited feelings of “wow, I need to play a round of golf with these one day”. Please Note: I gave up on them fifteen years ago, what thought process took over, I can't even imagine.
This is just like T-Shirts, how come I can't throw away my “Cellar Dwellers” college softball shirt with my favorite number nine planted on the back. Number nine, kids don't bother to understand but many years ago (1967/1968) there was a TV show, “The Prisoner” staring Patrick McGoohan that was a precursor to “Lost” . Each beginning of the show started with McGoohan introduced to some figure, perhaps "Number Two", who told McGoohan his number was number nine. To which, McGoohan would respond, “I am not a number, I am a free man”. It's been my favorite number ever since.
While I'm on the subject of junk perhaps I'll take liberty to offer my “incomplete” junk categories. Please send suggestions to help me fill in this list as it's far from complete.
- Re-gifted Junk, more prevalent early in our lives, typically arriving as gifts form fiends or family. If they didn't re-gift it then it falls into the category of “What Were They Thinking”. Wine glasses are special favorites; who wouldn't want to “break out” that set of white wine glasses showing a half naked beach gal to savor that fine glass of chardonnay.
- What Were They Thinking; more likely because you got “drawn” in the family Christmas gift exchange or someone simple made no effort (but felt compelled) to get you a birthday or Christmas Gift. Lordy, Lordy look whose forty / fifty gifts fall into this category as well.
- What were we (I) thinking; I say we because these are purchases that looked good at the time but proved their junk status by reaming in the dark crevasses of the home.
- Just junk, all right this is a “cop out” so I don't have to think about it anymore. This category includes such favorites as wedding announcements, birth pictures, Holiday / Birthday Cards, Old kid stuff and so on.
So what about Treasure? Well amongst the boxes of junk that were to be consolidated I found two “Treasures”.
Both cards from the kids. (Images below) > The “Bear” was the cover of a Fathers Day Card from my Daughter Maggie.
Proof that you just can't throw out “Carte Blanche” even if it would be easier.
Later ..... Mike
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