We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
Around ten years ago Mrs. BD made me leave the house for 8 hours. Sent me hunting or fishing or whatever. She had a dumpster outside. The guys took away everything in the attic. It is bare, still.
So it seems that the basement has become the storage place. Excess. A firetrap. Sentimental stuff mostly, but 2 brass beds and a nice carved wooden trundle bed. A pair of antique rockers. Sets of china. Punch bowls. Photo albums. Photos and prints. Books. Kids' memorabilia they don't want.
My rules:
- If you don't use it and your kids don't want it, donate it or junk it. It's difficult to donate stuff nowadays unless it is desirable. In NYC it's easy because any stuff you put on the sidewalk evaporates in an hour or two. I don't live there though.
- If you don't use it ever, will it end in a dumpster when you croak? Save your kids the trouble, now.
- Extra shoes, boots, coats, clothes? Will live long enough to wear them out? Garbage. Donate only if in perfect shape.
- What about all the stuff from past hobbies? They are past, aren't they? Dust-collectors.
How do our readers do these things? Often, people wait until they move, or die.
One of my kids went to the B&H last night. Unlike many sort-of Jewish delis in NYC (which are termed "Kosher style", serving dairy and meat - especially pastrami)), B and H is a kosher dairy joint. A famous East Village hole-in-the-wall place.
Decades ago, when I was dating the future Mrs. BD, we frequented that place. We aren't Jewish. The food was cheap and good. The challah is tasty.
Digging back in my memory, I suggested that my kid try the Matzoh Ball Soup. She liked it.
My siblings and I were fed boxed cereal about every two mornings, scrambled eggs every two or three mornings, and same with oatmeal. Pancakes or waffles on Sunday before church.
I fed my little kids pickled herring with sour cream and onions most weekday mornings, cut in small chunks. It comes in jars. Or hard-boiled eggs. I figured protein was good for kids' breakfasts, and I liked it too.
I later learned that pickled herring was considered "Jewish food" in New York. Schmaltz. I thought it was Scandinavian, but it's all sorts of things. Ukrainians love it. Who doesn't like pickled herring? It has a pow effect.
I am told that Jewish people like plain pickled herring on a bagel, with a schmear. Sounds good to me, but I would add a slice of onion. But I don't bother with breakfast anyway, other than coffee. Breakfast is for growing kids.
Do you ever wonder what breakfasts NBA players were raised on? Wheaties? Or steak? I should have had some of whatever they had.
It must have been over a year ago when we posted about using, or even rotating, the "good" china for everyday use. We asked "What are you saving it for?"
As we noted, the newer generations don't even like or want that stuff. Like old or antique brown furniture, it has no value today and likely never will. Well, maybe sentimental value which does matter. Mrs. BD and I switched to rotating our "good" china sets for everyday. Thai takeout looks better on it.
But what about silverware? Same thing, except silver has some value melted down. Why not use your wedding silver, or inherited silver, daily? It's heavy and attractive, and makes meals more meaningful. Not dishwasher-safe, but if you use it all the time it doesn't have time to tarnish.
We have noticed that Europeans use their "best stuff" all the time. Are we just lazy here? Do we not appreciate everyday elegance? La bella vita? La dolce vita?
The migrating male Redwings arrived today. I was looking for a Rusty Blackbird, but didn't see one.
I did not attend this late-January birding trip, but it seems to have been good fun. Never hurts to have experts along. They went to three or 4 spots, including Cape May. Separate lists for each location.
I don't really keep lists anymore, unless I have a specific reason to.
Not really in trouble, but saying whatever he thinks can upset people and, as he says, mostly white-skinned people. I disagree with him often, but he is a smart guy and a good talker. I have found some of his abstract ideas valuable, especially "framing."