We’ve been very busy with our move. Starting on the sixth of December, the day we concluded the purchase of our new house, we thought everything in our move would have been done and dusted by now. Vain hope! It’s not so much the furnishings which are taking up our energy: it’s things like blankets and bedclothes, that bane of bureaucracy, files and, of course lots of leaflets and pamphlets which we have collected over the years and point directly to so many things and places we have been to since we moved to this country over sixteen years ago.
Worst of all (or rather best) is, naturally our library which, although not mammoth is large enough to create logistic problems especially when we have no bookshelves in our new place ready yet for our tomes!
And all our move has been done (so far) on our sturdy little fiat 4 X 4 Panda complete with roof rack. At least we’ll know that if items arrive damaged it’s our fault!
Of course, minimalists and ancient sages might say that there’s no need for all this baggage we carry around on our backs rather like Pilgrim’s sins. True, but there is that slavery of attachment, that respect of memory and gifts given to us, that sense of security that otherwise unremarkable objects instil. This is particularly the case with my old vinyl which more sensible friends have either never indulged in or have disposed of eons ago. However, each one of these twelve inch relics of previous recording techniques with their evocative album covers reminds me either of a concert I attended, or a Christmas present received or even a charity shop where I bought it.
To go to more eternal things. Nature surrounds us with all its often harsh winter glory, Yet, in the gnarled trunk of the chestnut tree flanking the entrance to our little manor with that old letter box firmly embedded in it, in the courageous narcissi pertly promising that spring will arrive after winter’s niggardly hand, in the extensive views of a land rooted in the most ancient of histories there is so much to please and comfort, so much more than those worldly possessions we avaricious mortals condemn ourselves to trail behind us through our petty vanities.
Living in New York has forced me to be a minimalist but I’m confident that books and vinyl are both noble collections. Many others likely regret getting rid of them years ago!
Glad you agree about books and vinyl.
Having downsized a few times over the years I have only a fraction of the books I once had. I have had no vinyl for a long time (owing to divorce and moving on to CDs after that) and the CDs I have are in a box because with limited space in my current flat and Alexa, who plays me anything I want, I have no need for them any more. I once had a really nice HiFi separates system which was part of the furniture. It’s a shame really, but they say it’s progress.
Agreed. I thought of disposing of that vynil but still haven’t!
I should have mentioned my kindle. I have a lot of books on there, some duplicated now. I have had a Kindle since version 2 came out. It was useful for travelling when I did it a lot. It was also useful for reading on the bus on the way to work because I didn’t like the bulk of the actual books in my backs alongside laptops and other work items (like lunch). I updated to a nice Kindle Oasis, and it was nice. It’s now redundant since I have been working from home due to the pandemic and have started to buy real books again 🙂
Real books are the best!
Certainly valiant and interesting hobbies not to be sniffed at some call it clutter baggage but I reckon that if electricity is on the blink or too expensive a good wind up record player and books you can leaf through unlike kindle I mean just the thought even if never deployed are most comforting allies! The move is certainly trying and tiring we packed in boxes which I numbered and labelled then we discovered putting items in strong shopping bags easier to handle being lighter and more easily stored in the car and dealt with in arrival. In fact all we now need is a van for only a few items such as heavier potted plants and larger items. There are many more practical tasks to tackle which I did in Longoio varnishing doors and windows but not until warmer weather. I salvaged our Christmas tree yesterday from rolling down the hill and we place it in a small prominent position to be planted when we have more energy! The winds today were blowing full wack removing the frost protection fabric from plants needing protection.
Thanks for your interesting comment.
I am thinking of moving to a bigger house simply so I can have an extra bookshelf.. Vinyl records, I read are making a big come back! David Reid.