Cull the Clutter.

Oh Look!  We’re past half-way through May already. I can’t keep up with the days as they roll by and there's a myriad of things to do, i.e. (notice I didn’t use the word “like”) de-cluttering this house for one, so that when we’re no longer around, our children have fewer things to get rid of.

The other day on TV utube I watched a woman talking about culling things out of the house for over 50s, using the word "minimalist" a few times.  I’m well over 50 so I qualify. She made so much sense, and as I listened to her advice I really became excited and no, I haven’t done a thing to begin – some days are just too hard to do anything except breathe. Other days I just keep forgetting, remembering only when it’s inconvenient, i.e. (again avoiding the word “like”) being in bed when the mind can think about these things. Maybe I should be doing it now instead of writing about it at 2am. Nahhh … where’s the fun in that … drink your Roiboos relax/help-to-sleep-tea dear so you can get back to bed for more sleep!

I’m almost sure I’ve reached the place where I can become unsentimental about most things.  Nearly everything in the cupboards (except maybe the kitchen) has either been given to us or inherited.  EEkkkkk … you ought to see our attic; it’s a minefield, although I haven’t been there for some time because I’m not supposed to climb stairs, however, I’m sure nothing has changed. One day I’ll make the effort, so house, be scared! Be very, very scared!

My darling sister is into culling, but there’s one thing wrong with her logic … she’s giving me back all the dishes and things that we’ve given her over the years but that’s ok; my fault for agreeing to take them back, but I only wanted to see what they are because I can’t remember … I’ll dispose of them along with all the other “stuff”  … once I get going. For now, there’s nowhere to put them except on a bench in the kitchen – or the attic.

My beautiful late-friend Yvonne de-cluttered her entire house when she was told she had terminal cancer.  I remember clearly her saying how good it felt; how unburdened her mind was now that all those things were gone that would not be needed when her time came.  How we miss you precious lady. But not forever ……

Around thirty-odd years ago I visited an elderly widowed neighbour. She was a really sweet woman who invited me into her old farm house and as we negotiated the path through the lounge room I could see she was a long-time collector of antique china and glassware. A culler’s paradise. Is your house a culler's paradise?

I should take a leaf out of our two daughter’s books. They’re minimalist without being scanty. I know that when I begin getting rid of things, it’ll be like Christmas because they haven’t seen the light of day since we’ve been here, going on 16 years. How silly is that?!  Maybe I shouldn’t have said it’ll be like Christmas because usually we keep Christmas presents don’t we? 

In the meantime, I’ve finished my cuppa Roiboos so I’ll be off back to bed. Nite nite … oh wait; that should be morning, morning. Hmmm doesn’t sound the same, does it?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Coronation as I saw it.

Saturday night in Australia, 6^th May, 2023.  Watching the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, I stayed until the bleary-eyed finish.  It was beautifully orchestrated in every aspect and seemed to go off without a hitch.  I loved the carriages, especially the made-in-Australia one which they arrived in at the Abbey. Such a pretty and beautiful piece of craftsmanship by many, designed by Jim Frecklington, born in Parkes, New South Wales, Australia. He must have felt proud at its use (the good proud; not the prideful proud). Because the gold coronation carriage is almost twice as heavy, eight beautiful horses are needed to pull it.

Here is information about Jim’s coach:   

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2647757/The-Queens-new-palace-wheels-Wood-Newtons-apple-tree-A-bullet-Waterloo-Metal-Dambuster-Unveiled-today-carriage-thats-mobile-museum-history.html

When I was a little girl my mother gave my sister and me each a tiny   miniature of the gold coronation coach with horses … a memento from queen Elizabeth’s coronation. I loved it but unfortunately it disappeared over time.  I wish there was a remake for this coronation.

I loved the dressing-up of guests and royalty. Little Princess Charlotte looked so pretty, and Prince George … well, not only did he look smart but  how well did he do his part?! Prince Louis didn’t let us down with a little touch of his mischievousness. Our King Charles looked so smart in his attire throughout, and that beautiful gold gown was stunning but I think he didn’t like it being so stiff while he tried to settle it when he sat down.  Queen Camilla looked so regal in her beautiful white dress.  

I loved the military of all classes with their cleaned and polished uniforms; I loved the sound of well-trained horse hooves on the bitumen; I loved the decorations on horses pulling the Coronation coach; I loved the police doing their duties; I loved the street banners and the crowds of flag-waving people with smiling faces of all ages; it seemed the atmosphere was loaded with joy and enthusiasm as they surged in waves up the Mall and gathered around the front of the palace. I loved the gathering on the balcony and the fly-overs. Yes, to me it was simply a beautiful time in history.

I could see the solemnity of responsibility once again in Charle’s and Camilla’s faces as they were being crowned. When it was all over and they were on the balcony, they seemed more relaxed and quite moved at the celebrating masses.

And so the Carolean era begins.  God bless you King Charles and Queen Camilla, in all the work you do and will be doing in the service of your people.

 

 

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