“We’re havin’ a cold spell,
“An Antarctic cold spell.
“The temperature’s falling,
“And Jack Frost is calling.
“We’re headin’ for winter…”
(Apologies to Irving Berlin of “We’re Having a Heat Wave”)
Apologies notwithstanding, after a few days with no need of a jacket over a t-shirt, Mom Nature has once more exerted control. First sunny days, then rain–just to remind us that it is really fall, not summer–then the mercury starts drifting down. Anad now, it’s plunging down.
Does that mean I should be getting my snowboots out? No! Although I did haul out the hiking boots. The trees rained leaves, so my husband was out there with the lawn tractor chewing them up…barely ahead of the next gust of wind that filled up the yard right behind him. I do have a collection of jackets in the closet, now that it’s cooler. Two rain jackets, one lightweight, one heavier. One denim jacket. One quilted down vest. One flannel jacket with hood. One electric-green heavy-duty jacket, for the days–already here in early mornings–when the temps start out in the teens. Walking every morning means being prepared for every slide along the thermometer. That also means a collection of hats that goes beyond just the classic baseball cap. Light fleece with ear flaps? Yup! Stocking cap with pompom? Yup! Soft cloche that had hidden earflaps, for style and practicality? That too. I am ready!
I got desperate this year and dug up the flower garden. I pulled out all the phlox and daisies that took over after 35+ years. When I mulched all that bare ground, it took on a brand new look. I love it. We’ll see what has sneaked away from my shovel when spring hits and some of those things poke up again. At least they’ll be small.
Clearing out the garden has me thinking that I should be doing the same with my closet. That may sound familiar to a number of you out there. I have a hard time subscribing to the “one in, one out” philosophy. That is, if I bring something new in, I have to purge one item in return. But I love my clothes! Years ago, I limited myself to one double-door closet for all my clothes. So, I don’t switch out summer clothes for winters. I know myself. If I had a secondary closet, that one would get just as full as the original one. I’ll stick to one closet and make do.
But that means I have to be careful. I don’t want clothes to be stuffed in so tight I can’t get a single item out! Yes, I do get rid of things occasionally. But why do our favorite clothes wear out so fast? Although, I must admit, I still have some favorites from before my retirement 17 years ago… Yikes! As we all know, however, if I keep something long enough, it’ll come back in style. Does that mean I have to keep something 40 years until it comes around? Perish the thought!
The other end provides a problem too. What if I made or bought something I thought I’d really wear a lot, and it sits in my closet, laughing at my decision, knowing I’ll probably never wear it more than that first time? It’s new! How can I get rid of (read “justify”) something I just purchased?
Okay, okay. I’ve stalled long enough. The garden is cleaned out. The hoses are rolled up. The little tchotchkes have all been cleaned and stored. The birdfeeders have all been filled. Every place that needed fresh mulch now has it. Is there anything else that needs doing outside? No? Well, then I really have stalled long enough.
Time to get to work. Excuse me while I head for the depths of my closet.
Wish me luck.