The Very Least I Could Do

, and trust me..."least" is the key word here, is clean out some closets. Lots of stuff hanging out in there that will never be used again. Why do we hang on to this stuff? Years pass by and should we dig into this bin of clothing memories, we may not even remember the last time we wore these things. My "winter closet" seldom gets opened so why is that rack packed full of cold weather clothing? Sure, a few warm weather items are needed, but a packed closet rod is a waste of good space. Most of the residents of this part of Louisiana, I can speak for. They love their winter clothing and when the temps dip into the mid 70's the sweaters and jackets are promptly dragged out of the closets to be worn till the temperatures hit a more moderate 85 degrees!

 I'll sort and pack most of it out of here today and designate that space for empty clothes hangers should they be needed by a guest stopping in. I have another closet with down filled jackets, Gortex coats, quilted coats and even some ski clothes. On the off chance that I may make a visit to the Rockies in the winter, I hesitate to part with any of these. Winter clothes are always more expensive then summer wear. Is that just another excuse for keeping them?

I have a friend that buys 6 pair of Levi's every year. The 6 pair from the previous year she pitches out of her house. She does this with all her clothing. Spring time comes and she buys a few new blouses, new capris and sandals and pitches last year's to the curb. She has one set of dishes. She has a few coffee mugs and she only keeps a few appliances. No extras in her house and housekeeping for her is an easy affair. She doesn't drown herself in possessions. She doesn't become attached to any of her clothing. She shares a small closet with her husband and they have plenty of room in that small closet for all her clothes and his.

I aspire to be like this women. I envy this woman her ability to not be dragged down by possessions. Her life is not consumed with finding a place for what she owns. Her mother and father were pack rats and had a huge house that had every corner filled. She had to empty out that house when they passed away and she vowed she would never leave something like that for her children to deal with when she was gone.

After a visit to her, I vowed to come home and get rid of "stuff" and I did. I wasn't as practiced as she and things crept back in again. It's time to take a stance against the "stuff". It's either me or you (stuff) and I'm going to win this one.

I'm off to do battle with my closets.