Thursday 30 March 2023

Marking time, and reducing

 Pirate's tests proceed...one, not so good....but that could be affected by other things so may be irrelevant.

He is preparing for tomorrow morning's as I write. Shall we just say that this evening has seen a drastic spring clean and tomorrow involves a camera. At least he has had one before and enjoys watching the action on the screen..it is his body after all! We both will be glad to find out what is his problem and where to next. Whatever it is hasn't been helped by long Covid 

This week has been cold and wet and windy, with an occasional respite to keep us going!

The kiln shed now only contains the kiln and flue sections...and one car full has gone to the Cowp...the recycling and dump centre.

I have kept busy with attempting to tidy and reduce. Clothes done...but I did get rid of a large suitcase full last year so there wasn't much to go!

Books..now that is a difficult one. I probably have too many..but they are my friends, prompts for memories and also useful.  With each move over the past twenty years I have found new homes for books so that I have half the number that I used to.

Now I am weeding again.   

When did I last read you?  Am I likely to read you again soon?  Are you useful reference.....



A few are quite valuable....do I sell them now?

My daughter would like a few...and hopefully will visit this summer and choose some more. I don't know if my sons would want any atall.  It feels odd, for several generations we have been book people, especially my family.  Now, perhaps, the internet is taking over.  There is nothing like a real physical book, though I agree an electronic reader would be useful on public transport journeys. 



15 comments:

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
My good wishes for the Pirate. Also for the decluttering; something I desperately need to tackle... YAM xx

Red said...

I just got rid of most of my books a few months ago. I donated them to the thrift store.

Avus said...

I wish Pirate well and am thinking of you both.

gz said...

Red I have done that with a bagful last year.
However I need the money and some of these are specialist or collector's items.
I would not like to see them pulped if unsold in a month.

gz said...

Y & A. Thanks both. He is not a happy bunny. Second test today, next on the 6th then a meeting on the 11th....

jabblog said...

It's hard to get rid of books, like dismissing old friends.
I hope Pirate's results are less dire than you fear. The waiting is awful.

northsider said...

I have lots of books, many half read. But I haven't got the heart to move them on. But I should.

Steve Reed said...

As I get older I find less and less reason to keep books, even ones I loved when I was young. Why would I read them again when there's so much else out there? Hope the medical stuff works out OK.

Jessica Hollinghurst said...

Hope the tests go well. We are both readers and even have a category in our budget for books but as we don't smoke or drink I think we are allowed our vice.

Catalyst said...

I can sympathize with you about the books. We have gotten rid of tons over the years and we still have too many. I just don't know what is going to happen to them when we're gone.

Will said...

Books are my one real indulgence - I always find it hard to get rid of any of them. And I am always dipping into and re-reading old favourites.

Friko said...

For months, years?, since my Beloved died, I have been pondering, do I move, do I stay? Half hearted attempts at decluttering have been made, then discarded. Books are the hardest to offload, many have gone to charities, but there are many more to take off shelves.
Ah well, maybe I'll stay until I can't. Then the books can stay and will be someone else's responsibility to get rid off. Oh, painful word when used in the context of books.

molly said...


Books are my weakness too - so hard to let them go. My eldest son is the same - I often tell him he should open his own bookshop. I'm trying to be merciless and get rid of books I've already read. There are two many remaining that I haven't yet read so I am unlikely to reread old friends. That attitude helps - at least a little.

molly said...


...and best of luck for Pirate's tests!

Amy said...

I know of people who have long covid and it doesn't sound pleasant, I hope the doctor's find out what's bothering him.