Making Everything Fit

Dear Liza,

I came up to Portland this week because Grandpa Nelson had surgery scheduled. Yesterday, we found out that the doctor was called out of town on an emergency, and the surgery has been postponed. Well, poop. This pushes back the time when he will feel better, be able to walk and sit comfortably, and have energy to enjoy life.

But being my mother’s daughter, I always see the bright side. Not being at the hospital gives me more time to get my office here organized. And boy, does it need it!

As the unused bedroom, my office has been the dumping ground for things that didn’t have a place yet, as well as my sewing and writing supplies, household files, and what seem like tons of books. Don’t get me wrong– we have been culling books for two years– and we are still choking.

We had seven floor to ceiling bookcases in Salinas, as well and bookcases in the living room, bedroom, and both offices. Now we have five smaller cases and half of Bridgett’s office. So half as many books is still too many.

Fortunately, we have good homes to send them to. The Tiny Free Library system here in Portland is wonderful, and our Sunnyside neighborhood is thick with these delightfully decorated, weather-proof book houses on sticks. They will be getting an infusion of new goodies.

Also, Powell’s Books, the largest independent bookstore in the country, has a branch in our neighborhood that buys books! How delightful! And finally, Auntie Katie is setting up her downstairs apartment as a bed and breakfast, and would like to decorate on of the rooms as a kid’s room, so my Make Way for Ducklings and anne if Green Gables will have a place to live and be useful.

So as of this moment, our upstairs landing is lined with boxes to take to Powell’s, a stack to go to Katie, and smaller bags to take with us when we go out for a walk. It’s all going to work out.