Saturday, April 23, 2022

out of the closet, 1 in 3

"Um, whatcha doin' with those clothes hangers, g'friend?"

Well, it's spring and that means time to go through the stuff hidden away.

"Sure, sure, I follow you. You've been doing that for a few years, ever since you lost Daddy and your friend Blaxstone Sam in April of 2009."

Yeah, this time of year puts me in mind of things left behind, things not used or even wanted any more, just stuff that someone has to plow through. Honestly, that goes back a little farther, to April of 2007 when Mother Pat died.

"That makes sense, in a sad kind of way."

Hey, it's all part of my loss adjustment methodology at this point. In April, I get rid of stuff so no one else will have to deal with it. On a positive note, it has been a huge help in clearing out stuff I've not even looked at in years. For instance, I had a suede leather coat that I know darn well I had not worn in better than twenty years, primarily because it was way too small. It also had a torn pocket and sleeve that made it look pretty shabby. Then there's the cloth jacket I once loved, pastel multicolor blocks with fireman's clasps for closure. I bought it while I was going to school at FSU, so it was more than thirty years old. As I'd worn it frequently, the cloth had taken a beating and was frayed and torn and, quite literally, rotting from overuse. Both of those went into the trash can outside.

"Well, that's a start at least."

 Oh, that's not all. The hall closet no longer has any hanging items in it. Like, at all. That makes two closets empty now of clothing. Mind, I still have three closets that do have clothes: in the bedroom, in the Ocean Room, and in the living room. But all winter items have been moved out of the bedroom and into the Ocean Room. Next up will be the 'gift closet', aka living room closet, to clear out stuff bought for kids no longer the right age. Someone at Goodwill shall receive them instead.

"That sounds like a good project. Still, though, you have not addressed the hangers."

Oh, yes, my train did jump off to a side track, didn't it? I actually have several of those satin-covered dress hangers, a gift from Mama many, many years ago. Most of them are still in good shape, like the purple one. As for the green one, it's clearly seen better days and that split cover will find its way into the trash. Then it will look just like the bare wood hanger. That means it'll be perfect for back scratching!

"Oh, that's a Jim Dandy of an idea!"

Oh, you betcha! I would have lost my mind in February if I hadn't stumbled upon that notion. You see, that first DCC had aggravated my left shoulder blade, where one of the huge electric shock pads had been placed. My first night home, I'd woken up going mad from an itch I couldn't reach and rubbing up against the door jamb wasn't cutting it. Then I remembered that bare wood hanger... and it's stayed on my night stand ever since.

"Very good!"

You're telling me. It's been a real sanity saver!

"So your post title refers to that lone hanger being out of the closet, whereas the other two have gone back in?"

You got it! Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to watch "Sue Thomas, F. B. Eye". I really like its plots and the fact that it stars a deaf woman. Very cool! I may even be picking up bits and pieces of ASL from it!

"Yeah, it is really good. So, later, chica!"

Hasta luego!

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