The resizing project is having its ups and downs. For the last three mornings Don has had trouble getting his oats to cook as they should. It wasn’t working and he was eating very watery, soupy oats.(as I’m proofreading I stifle a giggle—not kind, sorry) We both stared into the bowl, then into the microwave wondering what the problem might be. My oats, which I cooked and ate an hour or so later were fine. Situation curious.

And then I remembered… since there was only a cup or so of his left, I had emptied a partial bag of my organic unstabilised (less processed) oats into the box where he keeps the normal grocery brand, Uncle Toby’s. I’m trying to simplify things around here. Oops. My bad. First of all, I soak my oats overnight, which he doesn’t. Secondly, I cook mine on a lower and slower setting. All together, a case of oats interrupted. I emptied the problematic oats into a smaller container for my use, and refilled his larger one with the new box of Uncle Toby’s from the pantry. Afterward, as he hunched over his previously made, soupy bowl of oats I called out “The management apologises for the interruption in our usual service…” He did laugh, fortunately.

This was just one of several examples of small changes we have been trying to make to our current lifestyle. Most of them are working great. Being able to find batteries and the small screwdrivers in the ‘junk drawer’ is so much easier now that all the clips, hangers and two extra sets of ‘L’ wrenches (Alan tools) are out of the mix. Sorting out half or more settings of plates and cutlery to 6 or 8 of each has worked perfectly too…so far. The advantage of doing it while I still have the extra things stored for the garage sale is, if the resize is too extreme, I can still add a few pieces back into the mix. Nice to have that option, though so far we haven’t needed it.

I had another pass at my jewellery this week and culled a few more things but have it all now contained in these two clear 4×6” lucite jewellery boxes. I made jewellery for 15 years, and it came down to only four pieces that I’ve saved for personal use, and they are also in these two boxes. It also contains a piece of my Mom’s jewellery she had as a teen, and two buttons from Dad’s army uniform. My high school graduation ring, and Don’s Ohio State ring went into the bin. Who would want them? Why we thought those rings important I can only speculate…probably because it was a mark of achievement and peer pressure. Little did we know much bigger achievements lay ahead, most of which had no outward manifestation of jewellery to commemorate. I’m sure I never wore my High School ring once I went to University. I had a University ring too (slow learner) but it disappeared a long time ago, no idea where, and until now haven’t missed or even thought about it. And in case you are wondering…the high school ring still fits.

I have even separated out an ivory bracelet to give to someone who will respect what it means.  It was a gift to me years ago and I haven’t worn it for many, many years. Arthritis in my hands won’t let it move over onto my still very skinny wrist. It is illegal to sell ivory now, to discourage poaching, which I totally support. I kept the bracelet because it honours the life that was given to make it and because I love who gave it to me. I might have to keep it if the right person doesn’t find us. I really can’t bear to think that poor elephant gave its life for nothing, although comparatively a bracelet is ‘nothing’. Fifty years ago I didn’t realise such things. I am rethinking many things we have saved for various reasons, but no longer look at. I suppose they are all marks of achievement of some kind–places we’ve been, relationships we’ve had, honouring life events etc. This is being much more of a learning experience for me than the other two efforts, although I learned from them as well. They were ‘warm ups’. This time I’m digging deep and finding out what I really need to live—what fuels my imagination, gives me satisfaction and joy, inspires curiosity, and serves our needs. Everything else is a distraction.

The things fill boxes high in the cupboards, are never looked at let alone enjoyed. I sincerely hope they will be enjoyed by whoever they live with next.