Time to Declutter

Imagine my surprise when a book that piqued my interest showed up on my Kindle today. I was catching up on some reading, reviewing a book excerpt on decluttering. Who doesn’t need to declutter somewhere? My piles of junk mail, tax mail, statements, receipts were calling my name and right beside them are countless “I might need this…someday” items. I’ll bet you have something like that…somewhere. Guess that book caught my interest earlier and I had pre-ordered it. What can I say …great minds! So now, I not only have the interest, but maybe the time? And I’ll know just how to do it…if I can get this book read. I’ll let you know how that works out. But it also brings to mind some of my “failings.” Keeping stuff for the sake of keeping stuff! I now know I grew up in the shadow of the depression. No, I’m not that old, but my parents were and they didn’t like throwing things away, IF you (or anyone) might be able to use it someday. They’re the ones who kept piles of extra lumber or building materials, nails, screws, pipes, old towels or sheets and shirts for rags, mismatched dishes, empty boxes, even old magazines and out-dated books. Do you have a box of pieces of wire you “might” use for repairs? Scraps of fabric you might need for a quilt or a craft? Or a bag of bags, you might use? I’ve often lamented we live in a throw-away society. Toss it, if you’re not using it. You’ll buy another, IF you need it again or a newer version will work better. Or if, like a lot of us, you can’t find it when you do need it! In the meantime, we are living in stacks of boxes and bags of clutter with “things” that we’ve accumulated as we’ve needed them, wanted them or were gifted them…and you shouldn’t throw away a gift! Even if it doesn’t work or fit. It brings to mind a recent Facebook post, where an older family member was trying to downsize and having difficulty getting rid of “things”. The daughter couldn’t understand why it took so long, until she started listening…every “thing” has a story or a memory. It’s not the things we’re keeping, but the memories. And it fits my mantra…”write it down!” If you have gifts that no longer have a purpose, write down why you kept it in the first place. If you keep old dishes or special pots or pans, who used them and why? If you have a dull saw or burnt-out tool that might be fixed, why is it there and what was it used for? If you have pictures of forgotten family or friends, does anyone know or remember them? Tell their story, file a few pictures with them and can the duplicates or out of focus ones! Maybe it’s as simple as making a list of things or stories from or for the family. Maybe you can create a notebook, a scrapbook, a quilt, a renewed piece of furniture…you could even write a book. But you don’t need bags and boxes of stuff for another generation to plow through and wonder why is this here? This book starts out right. Don’t dive in with plans to finish today or this weekend or even this month. Understand it took time to accumulate “stuff” and the memories with them. It’s bound to take time to declutter.

Thank You! There I heard it again... “somebody should do something”. There is a problem in the neighborhood, the town or the world in general AND somebody should fix it! How often have you heard it? Or said it? The point being IT needs to be fixed and an unknown someone should fix it. But who? Apparently not the person who said it. Fortunately, there are quite a few somebodies out there. You know them, firefighters, police, paramedics, nurses, doctors, teachers, councilors, selectmen/women, committee members, organizers, volunteers. We all know someone who stepped up whether it’s a job requiring an education or someone willing to stick his/her neck out to “fix” something or just to carry on traditional actions or events. However, IT doesn’t always have enough somebodies to do the job. I have stepped up as a volunteer, organizer, secretary, treasurer, even president or chairman of some projects or organizations. That doesn’t make me special or any different from you. It’s just “been there, done that”. The problem is when all the somebodies get tired, worn out, burnt out, or simply old! They’re not as willing or perhaps able to take on the next dilemma, issue or event. I write this not to pat myself on the back or ask for applause, but to thank ALL the somebodies who have stepped up. You know who you are. If you’ve given your time, talents, education or experience to fix something, take care of something, lead someone or complete a community task… Thank You! This year the “IT” is dealing with the pandemic and we All owe a big debt to anyone who kept on “doing,“ whether it was medical or many essential services …Thank You for what you do! But outside a pandemic, if you’re not on a list of do-ers or somebodies, is there something you can do? Can you take over the next project, help with a neighborhood, town or state dilemma? For some helpers, it could be cooking, sewing, babysitting, making or building, organizing an event or serving as a volunteer. I have always believed If everyone volunteered just once, we would never run out of volunteers...All the “ITs” would be resolved. One of my favorite singers put it in a song “ Do What You Can”. Jon Bon Jovi can’t perform during the pandemic. He said “If you can’t do what you do, you do what you can.” He was washing dishes at his charity restaurant! Beyond the pandemic, when things get back to “normal” or not, are you somebody?

Remember your covid year Here we are in a memorable year and I have yet to blog about it or simply record my memories. I am not a faithful blogger. I mean to be, but it just isn’t happening. I will vow to do better! (at least I can try) Three years ago, my blog centered on “harvesting” your memories. It is, afterall, harvest season. I suggested you recall and perhaps re-create fall traditions of years past. Maybe it is as simple as harvesting your garden or canning or freezing a good supply from a farmer’s market, and letting newer generations help for the experience. You might kindle a new interest. Or perhaps your family had a tradition of a special fall gathering or followed a sports season. Whoops! That’s not in the cards this year! The purpose of my post is to encourage you to recall memories and traditions, and record them for your family or generations to come. I am a strong believer in collecting memories, memorabilia, photos and film to pass on to new generations that may have an interest. I know you have children and grandchildren who aren’t so interested in family history. But will another generation have that interest? Where will all the memories be? I’m not a scrapbooker, at least not in the traditional sense. I don’t cut and paste well, at least not physically. I prefer to work digitally. And our “covid-year” has supplied time and “fuel” to feed my digital efforts. Truthfully the last six months is a bit of a blur…. afterall wasn’t every day just the same. Same surroundings, same people, same tasks. Perhaps slightly different with the daily covid briefings, the numbers are up, the numbers are down, more in New York, Florida, California, and thankfully low in Maine. The point is Something happened this year! And on top of it all, it’s an election year! As if anyone needed a reminder. The ads are endless and pointless, he said this, she said that. I’ve said it before…. please! Don’t let a campaign ad decide your vote. Get the facts for yourself! I am a broken record with my opinions, I know. Just Write It Down! Whatever “it” is! Save your photos to a program or website. Write the information that explains them or simply identify the photo on the back, if it’s a hard copy. There are programs, apps and websites that will store your photos, help you organize your photos and make multiple products from your memories. Some are costly and some are free. Find what works for you. I’m trying out a new forever site for my pix now with plans to turn them into photobooks…just watch for the storage period…is it forever? I’ll let you know how it works out and I can send you a link, if it does. Whatever you do for recollection or preservation…save it. We use to use diaries for that…some people journal or still do digitally. If you’re posting your life on social media…save it for the day you don’t or can’t remember.

Take time to vent

I could be a professional complainer. When I start to do something, I assume it will be great! At least the best that I can do, even perfect! The reality is, of course, things don’t always go that way, not for me and I assume most people. Time runs out. Materials don’t work out. Tools don’t cooperate. Or imagine, the computer doesn’t cooperate! And that’s when the optimist in the bunch says…”that’s life!” Yeah, I needed that…Not! This is venting: If the expected guest would just show up on time...or at all! The material you bought for a project needs…just another inch, maybe a yard? The stapler is not where you thought you left it or someone else moved it? Oops, that’s the blame game...no time for that. The weather is starting to deteriorate or be better than you have time to take advantage of...today. The laundry isn’t done...washing, drying or is just waiting to be put away. It’s almost dinner time...everything is frozen or there are too many choices, and you have to do the choosing! There is a never ending number of topics, projects, chores, assignments and want-to-do-s. Is that really the cause...too much to do? And we want to do it all! Some people have a way of plodding through life doing what needs to be done, with patience to get it done. Never getting rattled if time, people or life interrupts. Where do you find patience? Sometimes you have to take time, sit back and vent. Rethink it. Start over. That’s why I’m writing today...rethinking, new focus, fresh approach…taking a breath. I can do this AND I can get it done! Today’s project may be sewing, cleaning, laundry or maybe it’s that long delayed project to get organized! One step at a time. One task at a time until they all add up to completion...dare I dream? The focus of my writing is often to tell you...you can do it! You can write, tell Your stories or preserve your lifestory or pictures. And I need to get to it, too! But only if we tackle it with a fresh outlook...why are you doing it? Not to simply get ‘er done! But to have that feeling of accomplishment of completing a “want-to-do”. One day at a time, one task at a time...everything can (and will?) eventually get done. What do you WANT to do today? You have my permission to “just do it!” Everything...cooking, cleaning, laundry or some other dreaded task eventually gets done...in your time! Today the message is be kind to yourself, understand your limitations and set Your realistic goals that allow you to finish what needs to be done...on your time. Good talk! Venting finished!

Weeding and seeding your mind to move forward...it's Spring!

It's spring! at least according to the calendar. The Mounds of snow outside my door says something different. But a few days of sunshine and above freezing temps should take care of that. Everyone is lamenting the latest deluge of snow, but we all know that's just the way the conversation goes, and you go along with it. But really? Complaining yet again about the weather? That just perpetuates a negative mood ...and it's spring and your thoughts and actions should be moving on and not dwelling in the past. Of course, dealing with the past is part of my purpose, but in a moving forward kind of way...is that counter-intuitive? Say what? Yes, dealing with the past can allow you to move forward. Whether it's teaching your grandchildren how you did things in the past or finally preserving memories and traditions so future generations know what once was. There are stories and people in your past that need to be remembered. You know who they are and their stories. So what was spring like for you growing up? What about Easter? or May Day? Here I go again. Riding you to remember what the "good Ole days" were really like. Or were they? Is there a ghost haunting you about past springs or spring holidays? Is there a sweet memory that just came to mind? Do you need to empty a clouded mind or free yourself of negative thoughts? Or simply share a great memory. Writing it down is a release for me...empties my head of cloudy thoughts or melancholy "what ifs". When I grasp an idea about what to do next, I need to start fresh, with a fresh approach to an old habit or chore. Maybe there IS a better way to do something. I think Nike said it a few times...Just Do It! Stop thinking about what you're going to do When you're ready...you'll never be ready if you only think about it! Write it down, record it or Start! Even if it's just spring cleaning...that tends to rejuvenate me to start fresh on old chores or intentions. There are a couple of chores that need doing and I've thought about it too long...Just Do It! What's on Your List? Calling a friend or distant cousin? Writing a letter to ...who? maybe to the future? Maybe the closet needs cleaning or weeding. Maybe you're ready to plant, or prepare to plant...and maybe you remember the way someone from the past used to do it. Memories need to be shared, minds need to be weeded, seeded and shared.

Time for a Re-do! It's been six years since I posted this particular blog, but it bears repeating. It's something I'm always harping on, but I need to remind myself to get back to it occasionally...Now is the time! Did you have a good winter? are you planning for spring? or summer? did you lose someone this year? and along with it the stories or memories they could have or should have shared? So what's stopping you? I know, I know, YOU can't write, but you can remember...so write what you know or how you would tell someone what you remember. You can always have someone edit your memories...if they need it! But if you don't start, then when or who will tell the stories? Now what I wrote SIX years ago: So you “forgot” to write it down. Does that mean it’s too late? Well there’s an easy answer to that and I don’t need to tell you what it is. I can repeat myself often, but it doesn’t do any good if no one is listening. Your mother didn’t write her stories. Your grandparents didn’t write their stories. So if you don’t write your stories where does that leave the stories? LOST! That’s my real message. If YOU don’t write your family stories or the stories of your town, your friends or your school…who will? Somebody should! You know that. Always “somebody” should do something and too many people always waiting for somebody else to do what they know should be done. We read all the time about someone one who did something and got something done. Is it time it was you? This message can apply to a lot of things whether it’s changing a law or an ordinance in your town or the rules at your child’s school….somebody should do something! Well my message for you is simpler….write it down! That’s my message to everyone who loves THE family stories. Write them down before they are gone. Write yourself a letter, a memo, a blogpost…whatever it takes to preserve “history”. Your history. I am a broken record. I know. I have a collection of short memories. Stories that I’ve started I haven’t finished. But if I’ve started them, I’m closer than you are to eventually getting them done! I keep reading about writing. Reading about marketing, how to….and always looking to make it better, easier, quicker... That’s part of my procrastination, always thinking there is a better way to get it down and done. There is no easy way. There is no quicker way. It takes a block of time, a commitment to remember and write. So talk to yourself already. Talk to your family. What do they want to know or need help remembering? Who’s gone and what did they do in their lifetime? Do your grandchildren know your grandparents? Do they know where they lived, how they lived, or what they gained, or lost, during their lifetime? That’s part of your history. True that’s only family history, but if your grandparents or great-grandparents were leaders in their community, their church or just their neighborhood aren’t there likely to be more people who want to know about them and their contributions? Yeah, I know practice what you preach….I am! I am writing now! Can you say the same thing?

Trying to get things done?

“I'm in a hurry to get things done Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun All I really gotta do is live and die But I'm in a hurry and don't know why. ” Lyrics that I love, but I hate to live by. Thank you Alabama for setting it to music, but I didn’t need a reminder. Why is it we rush and rush and never seem to accomplish as much as we intend to? I have my “lists”, both mental, written and the unsaid and yes, even the bucket list. I’m never sure which is which. I keep trying to stay on task, but which task? I mean to record everything, to share everything and accomplish everything I’ve committed to, but then…life gets in the way. I make promises to myself to get X done before Y and then Z seems to be there before I’m ready. Let’s see when was the last time I committed to this blog? Not when I expected to. Is that disorganization or procrastination? That is too much to do! I’ve decided the best approach is to review what I’ve accomplished and simply put it in perspective for what I want to accomplish. Less stress there and frustration. I have written books, traveled, taken some Great pictures! Made some Great quilts and tons of crafts, and can pretty much complete whatever I’ve set out to do. So there I have completed a few things. Guess that means I can get the rest of my lists done, too. Good talk!