Things, Stuff, Junk, and Treasures
I’m almost embarrassed by my featured image, but my blog will explain,
I’m far from a minimalist, but not a hoarder. I never thought of myself as one who was overly concerned with things. Expensive items don’t really impress me. Shoot! We drive our cars until they totally bite the dust! I wear clothing until it’s garbage fodder. My idea of fine art is my wonderful grandchildren’s paintings.
As we got ready for the move, I tried to narrow down my inventory. We did a pretty decent job and gave away everything from a pool table to my entertaining dishes and the party prep supplies. Yay, me!
Don’t get me wrong. I brought WAY too much, but I didn’t really have a clue what we would want and what we would no longer need. It is a total life change that has us running to the No Longer Bound thrift store several times a week. Looking at the picture, you see I still have lots to go through.
Ronald will no longer be gardening except for the tomato plants that keep blowing over on the back porch, so he doesn’t need his grubby garden clothes. Since we have to show up decent twice a day for meals, Missy ditched some of his clothes that were okay for leisurely days in the house at Thomaston but not nice enough to be seen by others. We both narrowed our selections of shoes because of lack of space. I got rid of many clothes because we don’t have the storage space. I kept some grubby pants and shirts – I’ve already helped with a dirty pour project with some of the people here. I am a very messy painter!
Ronald took most of our puzzle collection to the club house and has culled out books galore. Our great niece, Kelly, is looking for middle school books for her classes so I spent today gathering appropriate reading material for her students. I need to separate music to keep or give away. I hope all that will enable me to remove at least one bookshelf from what we are calling the music room.
One thing I will be able to do is continue to sew. My patterns, materials, and supplies are now languishing in the garage and are longing for a final placement – or at least I am wanting to find a good spot so I can work. Which brings me to the ‘what is treasure versus what is trash’ debate.
My wig head and stand I use to make hats and fascinators are definitely keepers. I’m thinking about helping Oaks’ residents make fascinators for Oaks Day (the event before the Kentucky Derby). I am content to keep the patterns safely (somewhere) until which time I need them. Costume materials are valued items to be stored until they become fantastic ‘works of art and imagination.’ (heavy on the imagination!) Treasures times 3.
Thankfully, the craft and activity director here and at the assisted living home is willing to take and store much of my craft supplies. That will free up much of the garage space. Good deal. I can still use items and get to craft with others who, though they may not like the mess as much as I do, will still be my partners in ‘crimes of creativity.’
So you see, what other people call junk, I value. I make a case for my life from 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV, and though I am not rich in this present age as Paul is warning, I am blessed. He warns not ‘to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let us do good, that we may be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.’
Luke 6:45 says, ‘The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good.’ Sounds like a good plan to me!
Blessings
Kara Beth
