On a roll

Culling down the possessions seems to get a little bit easier each and every time. A few more household items have passed the threshold to the outside world, never to return again to my world of clutter.

I decided I needed something that wouldn't be too mentally taxing so I tackled the sock drawer. I've read on numerous websites of various techniques to clearing clutter, and the "one drawer at a time" method does work well for me.

It became necessary to do ALL of my laundry first. There could zero wiggle room here--any stray, orphaned socks were about to get a one-way ticket out. No more arguments of: its match must be in the hamper. No match? No free ride.

My cat Louie decided to assist me with some of the harder steps: he developed a urinary tract infection, and managed to pee all over the leather loveseat that was destined for Craigslist. So instead, after multiple cleaning attempts, it was off to the dump.

The dump can be a very slippery place for a packrat. Often when I've been to the dump before, you'll see the hoarders crawling over the piles like buzzards picking at lunch. At the dump in Baltimore City, the employees (who I suspect are ALL hoarders) inspect your items before they allow you to dump. I originally thought they were examining the contents for illegal dumping items, but in fact, they were looking for their own hidden treasures. You'd be amazed how many times they asked me to put aside certain trashed items for them.

The County dump (my apartment was in the County) was quite different. Instead of driving up to roll-offs and having to hoist, throw or drag your garbage into the bin, the County dump had a much more cathartic approach. The city dump left me feeling depressed and saddened (not to mention I usually ended up with a flat) but the County dump was totally different.

It was quite tidy for a landfill. I backed my pickup truck to the barrier, gently tipped the stinky loveseat over the barrier, and watched it fall 20 feet to the ground below. Louie always has been an overachiever, so not only did the poor beast ruin the couch, he managed to also pee on the rug, a blanket and a pillow. All over the rail! This made me depressed at first (loved that couch!) but there was no way to retrieve it or change my mind--the deed was done. And before I could mourn my loss too long... a huge bulldozer comes along and literally wipes the slate clean. Out of sight, out of mind. I felt cleansed suddenly.

Returning to my living room, I found that the non-consenual elimination of the love seat, rug and accessories really helped de-clutter the room. It looked considerably better than before! Chalk one up to the Maine Coon.