My first career wish was architecture. Many years ago in elementary a school friend and I folded up paper furnishings on the sidewalk in our neighborhood, some summer day, and in high school, another friend, and I, said no to home economics class and wanted instead drafting class. We got drafting class. Still have the blueprints from that long ago.
But sadly I can not draw. So pivot career choice.
(Still forever, though, only just can bow to the genius World Heritage class Prairie School of architecture. )
(And Notre Dame now in repair and how great is that, a little more ornate than my taste but I have lit candles there. She will live. How great is that. )
So. I also much like decorative arts. That would be Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and a few galleries downstairs at the Art Institute of Chicago.
And my minimalist things here now. It is so liberating only to have what I need but also really like. Back in the Nineties, a good decade for me, I picked up at the original Half Price bookstore on Guadalupe, Austin, the Chic Simple books, still got them, style stuff that just fit me. Pared down Nineties, perfect.
Doesn’t need to be big or expensive. But functional and aesthetically good. I’m probably too fond of my stainless can opener, and stainless garlic press, and stainless whisk, and stainless measuring all-that and stainless grater and stainless shakers, one clear salad bowl, one clear baking dish, one wooden spoon, two indigo plates and two indigo bowls, two tumblers, two stemless, and a Melitta coffee drippy thing-maker. Vase for cut flowers, from Austin, when I needed it. That’s it. Feels light.
I should not so much like the green and yellow citrus press and the green and yellow banana thing-ie (from niece at Secret Santa one year) but whatever, Marie Kondo, they bring me joy.
More clothing than I actually use, some stuff more than other stuff, but here we go again, Marie Kondo, brings me an itsy-bit of joy. (I’m quite tall and thin so can wear about anything. OK, superficial joy but still joy. Clothing is so totally fun. In perspective, nothing cost anything out-of-line, some things were gifts. So go with that, savor when can.)
Sneakers, and oh so happy now sandals….for a while. Boots and heels somewhere at closet back, works.
Last weekend, my Mother, Brothers, and I went through the house choosing what we would want to keep. My list was pretty modest, and nothing too bulky. I’m in process of letting go of bulk. I chose a few books that I’d gifted my Father, and some stained glass that he’d made, including (according to my Brother) his first piece. That angel, now with me here.
I’ve given away a lot of furniture, some I, myself, painstakingly, handpainted in my Austin back yard. Just like that easy to let go. Given away two bicycles, a little bit sentimental but to people I know will care for, use, and appreciate them. A vintage Miyata bike, never thought I could loosen that one, but it’s in good hands now.
Gave away about twenty boxes of books, some pristine, and I hope some graduate student will find just what they’re looking for at marvelous Jane Addams bookstore. Kept another twenty boxes, purposeful.
A little more storage unit to go. How on the Good Earth did I ever accumulate so much? But the good thing, is, what I am keeping, has use and meaning.
Still have the zafus and zabutons.
And the yoga mat. Bought in Austin just what I needed then. Will keep.
Oh and oh and oh my manual transmission desk lamp. Four speeds. Best light wherever my episodic sleep takes me.
Dayna Finet 