So I guess at some point it can get a little old listing off the various things I'm finding. But tonight I provided some entertainment at a dinner party of middle-aged folks. We discussed my weird finds, the value and superstition of feng shui, and tracking down items' value online. People reminisced about the magic of slide rules, told of valuable paintings found in storage, and I even met an auctioneer! Not everyone is in my situation, but at some point in life, people can relate to dealing with their older relatives' stuff. It happens.
And to some folks, it does sound novel that yesterday I was going through Christmas cards from 1957. (They said I could have written a story based on them. But, the cards mostly had cute black and white photos of children looking retro and wholesome. "The George Westervelts wish you a Merry Christmas.") There is an interesting factor to this sorting--I can even enjoy it in certain moments. Yet the sheer quantity of stuff is what makes it annoying. It's not 100% bad; it's just taking too long because of the layers. This is a distinct chapter in my life, but I will be glad when I can pack up my own items someday and know I have only my own stuff. At least I have some stories and am learning more about my relatives' lives. (And what a reminder to toss out/recycle paper over time!)
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Hardest clutter of the week: sympathy cards from decades ago
Simpler clutter: grandparent's college report cards and transcripts from 1940s
Easiest clutter: evil antique bedframe that I tripped on--taken away by charity. Much joy.
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