There are six pillows in this picture. I’m not sure what to do with them; they came off of the second guest bed we just got rid of. We assume a downsize is in our future and don’t expect to have room for a second guest room, so the bed had to go. (I know first world problems.)
I found four more extra pillows in the official guest bedroom. There are at least three more in my bedroom closet. Without getting up from my computer to check, I believe there is at least one sitting on top of the dryer.
I am pretty picky about the pillow I use at night as my neck needs seem to change every few months. I won’t throw a pillow out just because it doesn’t work for now; later it might be perfect. I’m pretty certain that other than the pic here, my hubby has no idea how many pillows I have stashed around the house. I am loath to throw any of them away and the local charities don’t want used pillows. Throwing them all away means using up all the space in the garbage can in one week.
The number of extra pillows is symptomatic of another issue I struggle as we work our way through “the great purge of 2023”: guilt of abundance. On one hand, there is a great sense of security in knowing that I can put my hands on any number of items at a moment’s notice. Pillows and blankets are very comforting, practical and allow for guests and grandkids to comfortably stay the night. I like to entertain, so extra glassware, cookware, utensils, plates and such are important to me (and better for the environment than disposable). But as I have been cleaning out cupboards and closets, there have been several items that garnered a “Huh? I didn’t know we had that!” I found a box of glassware just last week that we had brought home from a friend’s house “just in case.” And what do you call that piece of barware for cut up lemons, limes, cherries and other mixed drink accessories? We had one that I bought at a garage sale but had forgotten about. Clearly we don’t offer mixed drinks very often. (I found another home for it.)
There is just SO MUCH STUFF. In the last 5 months I have made several drop-offs to local charities and put countless boxes and piles in front of the house. You know how you can put something out on the corner with a free sign, and someone will grab it? That happens in Ukiah on a much bigger scale. Seriously. We have brought home multiple pieces of furniture that were in pretty good shape that we found sitting on a sidewalk. I put a very large pile of old wood out two days ago, and it was gone within 30 minutes. Letting folks have stuff for free feels better than donating. And let’s be honest, charitable donations don’t offer the same level of tax-write off they used to.
Back to the pillows. I suppose I can put one or two in the garbage each week over the next month. Maybe I’ll just keep the ones in the picture?
Visceral Musings 