Boxes

Going through boxes I haven’t seen in 15-20 years is both heartbreaking and illuminating. I found a box from Florence, Italy, in a traditional print. It’s a gorgeous construction and in the shape of a crescent moon.

I did slapdash packing in the old days, not like the regimented present. When I find a box like the Florentine paper moon, I think of my great-aunt Owee, who loved boxes.

But I don’t like moving boxes sitting in every room since our move six weeks ago, nor does my husband. I haven’t tackled the papers yet but every box is an emotional roller-coaster. My husband doesn’t understand that. He’s an engineer. Stuff is stuff.

While I have a grand plan to get what we want to keep/frame off the floor he just wants to get rid of my stuff. Problem is, I have to test document destruction destinations with less sensitive information than our taxes and private client files from even 15 years ago.

Years ago I asked my husband to never buy me anything little, even an engagement ring (we wear plain matching 18K wedding bands I ordered online from Blue Nile). But no collections of stuff that just needs to be dusted (figurines, etc.) and he has complied.

One good thing is that our storage unit is nearby and when we break down boxes, they recycle them to their other clients. I think that by the end of the month we’ll have finished the cycle of donate, shred, store and toss and will be able to live an almost normal life!

Oh, the winds picked up last night, nothing on news or weather locally, nationally, online or tv news and what I saw was amazing. There was a Coast Guard chopper hanging out in horrific winds herding all the boats in from Lake Michigan.

Trucks with boat trailers converged to pick up boats that were told to come in to the jetty. It was a massive operation, orchestrated at a moment’s notice. Still no rain but we’re supposed to have thunderstorms for a couple of days. Sun is shining at 6:45 a.m. but grey clouds are coming so I’d better get the dog out. Y’all have a great day! Dee