That reality makes writing this series tougher each day as I think about the items and things I claim I can live without. The truth is, we could live without everything on the list. We would find other ways to get where we need to go or to do what needs to be done. If I were faced with a life of austerity, I know I could manage. I might complain occasionally, but I would adapt.
There is, however, one thing that would be very difficult for Joe and me to give up completely. Plants. Whether it is an outdoor garden or herbs growing in pots on the kitchen windowsill, plants are part of our everyday life and something we both deeply appreciate.
One thing we did not move across the country was our old collection of houseplants. Since then, we have slowly added plants to nearly every room, with the exception of our bedroom. That may change when Joe retires, for real, at the end of March and returns to his natural 9:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. sleep schedule. When the blackout curtains come down, I may try to find a hardy plant that can thrive in that space.
Joe is also planning to build another retaining wall this spring or summer, creating a terrace above the garden and patio area. I have already started collecting ideas for what we might plant there. A standalone grape arbor is high on my list, even though it will take years to fully grow in. I am also drawn to different types of decorative grasses. The final choices will have to wait until we see how much space we actually have once the work is finished.
Plants bring us peace. They root us to where we are, remind us to slow down, and quietly mark the passing of time. Of all the things on my list, they are the ones that make a house feel like home.
Items considered:
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Vehicle (KEEP)
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Cell phone (KEEP)
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Computer (KEEP)
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Printer/Copier (KEEP)
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Kitchen “stuff” (KEEP)
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Sentimental keepsakes (KEEP)
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Pets (Live without, eventually)
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Plants, garden and inside house plants (KEEP)
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