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mrsbrownThis morning I snuck out of the house for some retail therapy on my own. You can do that sort of thing at 10am on a public holiday when everybody else is still asleep or in bed.
As I drove home I heard a reading from a book. It described the grief and then sense of freedom 6 months later the author felt when he didn't own any books anymore. He described the book as something that sits on a shelf, decaying. He also recounted an anecdote from an art dealer who had observed that serious art collectors didn't own significant book collections. The author suggested this was because book collections are ugly.
I really identified with these observations. I have spent a long time feeling overwhelmed by the stuff I own, not just books. I know one of the reasons I enjoy holidays in rental houses is because of the peace that is available from a space that is clear of clutter. I think my renovation needs to include library space and a major book and stuff cull.
I should probably start on the book/stuff cull sooner, but I'm also overwhelmed by the thought of getting rid of stuff in a sustainable/unwasteful way.
When I got home, I looked up the book. It's actually a "bibliomemoir" and describes this man's life through the books he's read. That's sorta cool. Although I worry about the spirals in my life with the books I re-read. Am I still 8 years old when I re-read the "Little House" books each year or two?
Today's task? Going through my fabric. I'm going to measure all my fabric and cut samples so I know how much I have and where I can find particular things. Its part of a facebook challenge that looks sort of fun. The pinking shears I bought this morning will help I'm sure - I certainly couldn't start until I had them.
The other task is cutting and drying apples.
As I drove home I heard a reading from a book. It described the grief and then sense of freedom 6 months later the author felt when he didn't own any books anymore. He described the book as something that sits on a shelf, decaying. He also recounted an anecdote from an art dealer who had observed that serious art collectors didn't own significant book collections. The author suggested this was because book collections are ugly.
I really identified with these observations. I have spent a long time feeling overwhelmed by the stuff I own, not just books. I know one of the reasons I enjoy holidays in rental houses is because of the peace that is available from a space that is clear of clutter. I think my renovation needs to include library space and a major book and stuff cull.
I should probably start on the book/stuff cull sooner, but I'm also overwhelmed by the thought of getting rid of stuff in a sustainable/unwasteful way.
When I got home, I looked up the book. It's actually a "bibliomemoir" and describes this man's life through the books he's read. That's sorta cool. Although I worry about the spirals in my life with the books I re-read. Am I still 8 years old when I re-read the "Little House" books each year or two?
Today's task? Going through my fabric. I'm going to measure all my fabric and cut samples so I know how much I have and where I can find particular things. Its part of a facebook challenge that looks sort of fun. The pinking shears I bought this morning will help I'm sure - I certainly couldn't start until I had them.
The other task is cutting and drying apples.
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Date: 2010-04-26 02:22 am (UTC)I agree about the clutter/stuff reduction, I should do a bit if that too. I can't imagine a situation that would have me not owning any books for 6 months.