April 19, 2008 04:00 am "Butterfingers." That expression just popped into my mind as I reprimanded myself for scattering the "stuff" off the top of my dressing table ... oops. I remember Mom using that term "back when," but here I am in my 70s and still having the problem? It seems it's getting worse: I drop things, misplace things and then wonder about where all those "things" came from. Stuff, stuff and more stuff. Stuff just accumulates over the years. Why do I not just get rid of what's not needed? That is easier said than done. Perhaps it will be used again, somewhere down the line, or that something is still usable and it would be a shame to just throw it out. "Thrifty is what thrift does," or what grandma used to say, "Waste not, want not." Closets, drawers and niches overflow. Under the bed storage and "stackables" wherever possible are all utilized. Now what happens? My loving, considerate husband had built us a walk-in closet. There's a light, cedar paneling, wall-to-wall carpeting and even two chests of drawers. It is just a housewife's dream. Time is still going, with accumulations still growing! Poor frustrated hubby's stuff is now in a corner. Little by little his "half" got smaller and smaller and needless to say the female "stuff" took over. Is that what is termed a "clothes hound" or just a "pack rat"? Anyway, too much is too much. Now what to do? One suggestion from an article that I read had a good idea: If you don't use it in six months, get rid of it. What about the seasonal things or the inches you plan on losing? I do rationalize, don't I? Or are these just excuses to collect more? I have a plan. Slowly but surely as I go through drawers, closets, etc, I put aside "stuff" not used. When the pile gets shopping-bag size, I take it to the thrift store. Now the usable things won't be wasted, or perhaps I've helped someone in need, but all in all my problem of too much "stuff' is being solved, and I feel good about it. Giving things away is another avenue to solve this problem. Guessing sizes is hard, and asking is awkward. Sometimes you never see the recipient wear the given item and you wonder where it went. Is it appreciated? I remember one time we gave several things to an individual who turned around and had a yard sale with all the items. Maybe that was good, or maybe that would be offensive to some ... but anyway the "stuff" is no longer in the closet. Was I so smart taking things to the thrift shops? A yes and a no. My husband waits patiently while I take my bags into the store. What is taking me so long, he wonders? You guessed it. I usually come out with more then I brought in. Am I saving more by spending more? Several years ago when cleaning out the back shed we found an old fishing pole. It still had much life left in it ... too good to just throw out. We propped it on the tree in the front yard with a free' sign on it. Hours passed and the school children passed by with many a desirous glance but no takers, until ... . As soon as darkness came the pole disappeared. That weekend we glanced out the window to see a little shaver with boots bigger then he heading toward the creek. Bucket in one hand and what was propped on his other shoulder but _ yes, the old fishing pole. He was as happy as a lark, with the biggest smile on his face, and a spring to his walk. That certainly made our hearts glad. So ... why haul the unwanted, still-useable "stuff" to the dump? A roadside box with the invitation "free" does the trick. But be patient, for nighttime is the "taking hour." Elaine W. Kniskern is a 75-year-old resident of Schenevus and a grandmother of five.
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