Look what H.I. just discovered in the bottom of the children's toy basket which has lain untouched for about 25 years. A pair of Covid heroes - an Asian doctor and a bin man. You could put them on plinths now so that they could be torn down as symbols of oppression in 100 years time, when A.I. rules the world.
We don't very often have clear-outs, which is why she waited for the grandchildren to reach their late 20s before re-discovering these things. At the very bottom of the basket she found their mother's favourite book from when she was a child, and that has been there for about 45 years.
Clear-outs are like looking through old photos. A job which should take 10 minutes turns into a two hour wander down memory lane. Then there is the ruthless act of throwing the stuff away or giving it to charities, which I find less difficult the older I get.
De-cluttering is like gardening. You have to be heartless.
Those are two very poignant little toy figures, and not something that I would
ReplyDeletethrow out. They look to be in perfect condition, and could prove to be highly desirable at this moment in time.
I've offered them back to the original owner. I think he will have them.
DeleteI bet that bin man went off sick with a bad back.
ReplyDeleteHe is a bit of a fat bastard, but you have to remember this was the 1980s.
DeleteGood comparison Tom - heartless indeed where my lupins are concerned.
ReplyDeletePlease don't tell me your gardener has uprooted lupins. Lupins are so rarely seen outside peoples' houses these days, but they were the archetypal chocolate box picture of an English cottage once. Get rid of your gardener...
Delete"You could put them on plinths now so that they could be torn down as symbols of oppression in 100 years time, when A.I. rules the world." Hahaha - I know why I love your blog, Tom!
ReplyDeleteClearing is a theme that interests me very, very much. Attachment. Non-attachment. As you say: it gets easier with getting older to let something go. Sometimes.
Last night I re-polished some antique candlesticks I have, and fitted good candles ready for Winter. I'm glad you like my blog, Britta. I feel as if I am becoming irrelevant of late. Too much anger maybe, but there is a lot to be angry about.
DeleteI love the serendipity of the whole thing....
ReplyDeleteUse them now on every birthday cake you both have xx
They are going back to the 5 year old boy. His cums will appreciate them.
DeleteCums?! I meant chums of course. Jeez...
DeleteSummer Solstice greetings x
ReplyDeleteTo you too. The darkness returns...
DeleteMummy and daddy are getting on! How lovely x
DeleteOh shut up.
DeleteNever!!!!!
DeleteYou've got my brother's two heroes there! When he was tiny, when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, the answer was invariably eye doctor or garbage man, the two jobs he admired the most. He used to follow the garbage men up the street on his tricycle, fascinated by them. So nice they've returned as the Heroes of Today.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though you had an unusual brother. No train-driving for him. What did he eventually become? Please say 'a garbage man'.
DeleteCan't oblige there, sorry! But he is a rather tidy individual, & what you might call a Numbers Man.
DeleteI've downsized several times these last several years. All that are left are some treasured pictures on my walls. I expect the heirs and assigns will be ruthless.
ReplyDeleteNot many people share our ideas of what is precious and what is not, unless it is worth money. My sister wanted to throw out an 18th century Chinese figure of Quan Yin that I gave to my mother before she died, because it was 'dirty'. I waited until the right stranger came along who wanted it, and gave it to her.
DeleteThey are rather poignant, figures of our time, we could not do without either.
ReplyDeleteYes. It seems to be every Asian parents' desire that there son becomes a doctor, but not many British parents hope that their son becomes a bin man.
Delete