CLUTTER
Few of us have escaped being trapped by clutter at one time or another. And it has probably been that way for generations, so the same techniques which worked years ago continue to work today if given a fair chance.
A main step is, of course is for each of us to be ready, willing and able to throw some things away, to discard them permanently and to make room for new items which will come along and demand special places for a time.
To combat clutter you have to provide room. You need adequate space depending on your life style.
Mark Twain investigated King Arthur's court at Camelot, and concluded that he needed a Round Table about the size of the average circus performance ring to seat and serve as many knights who were not at that time out and abou ”a'grailin'” or, busy bashing monsters. Talk about clutter! Camelot's matri d'hotel certainly had some real headaches. Think of that many iron-suited warriors eating roast beef a la carcass. It was hand-to-hand combat,too -no forks, only hunting knives and fingers. Mark Twain also noticed that there were at least, three dogs per man in the hall to keep the bones and spare parts from cluttering up the Camelot floors.
It can be that we are clutterers because of our habits and according to circumstances, and always keep a good sense of humor about cleaning up your clutter. To often we let it all become a burden we must bear. You probably know ,or have known homemakers who have undertaken house-wide Spring Cleaning campaigns not unlike the nation undertaking a full-scale war.
They tell me it is all easily solved to start with if one can be neat, live frugally, keep detail records of
every thing consistently, and deliberately keep sentiment out of daily living.
What a miserable lot that would seem to me to be!
I think I'd rather accept - and live with – a bit of clutter myself. Of course, I should also be able to do something about change when a friend speaks up and says: “If you will find a shovel for me, I'll help you dust this place!”
A.L.M. Januay 20. 2003 [c374wds]
