It’s a blustery, snowy January Saturday ~ we’re on the downward slide now, 57 days until Spring. Not that I’m counting. Time for 5 Random things from my world. Ready? Let’s go.
1 Tidying up: Having to stay inside has me cleaning “stuff” out. I don’t know about you, but I just keep too much. I was raised by (wonderful) Depression-era parents and grew up hearing, “You might need that.” As a result, I keep way more than I need … or will ever use. But it’s not all their doing, because some of the “pile” is due to NOT sorting through what I have before buying more! I spent the better part of today cleaning, decluttering and reorganizing the bathroom storage/linen closet. I tossed multiple jars with “just a little” left, kept duplicates of products I like, and threw away old/outdated stuff I don’t use anymore. 2 garden-sized trash bags full gone. Had a few moments like this:
2 Ice, Ice baby – I love to walk outside every day. It’s my happy place, my meditative space, one I fiercely protect. Unless I can’t b/c of ice. boo! 
I can take the wind, rain, and snow. But not ice. There’s no need to be down with a broken appendage several miles from home. C’mon Spring 
57 days.
3 Reading. In 2020 I read 65 books, 82 in 2021. My goal is 100, and, as of today, I’m at 3. New books wait for me, like kids who paused the game and are waiting for me to join. I’ll get there. Work and other priorities are in the lead right now. ~ Sigh.
4 Prompts. I’m taking a 12-week creative writing course and loving it. What I enjoy the most are the prompts. Prompts take me right back to grade school and anticipating what “free” writing prompt our teacher would give us. Love! This week I’ve enjoyed prompts about childhood, i.e. list 5 things you were good at as a child, 5 foods you loved to eat as a child, 5 games you loved to play as a child. Wanna know a secret? Of the 5 foods I loved then I still enjoy today: popcorn, black licorice, strawberry shortcake, dill pickles and Turkey dinner. Yum!
5 Books – I was sorting through my books and packed a box to let go. Books are my friends, and it’s hard to see them go. The ones leaving fall into 2 categories: a) gifted books I’ll never read, b) read already and won’t again. The only book I’ve ever thrown out was written by Governor Cuomo (Perhaps you have heard of the hideously cruel egomaniac who ordered CVID positive patients into Nursing homes, thereby contributing to the death of thousands?). I was gifted that book by someone who admired Sir Fakery. Why they thought I would like it is beyond me. Yes indeed I tossed it, but not before pouring bacon grease all over it. Yeah, I might have some strong feelings about that creep.
Your turn ~
- What trends do you notice in your “stuff?”
- Read any good books lately? Do tell!
- Share five foods you loved as a child.