When is Less really Less?

Downsizing is hard work.  Don't believe me?  Ask Paul.  Or maybe it's the blogging.  When I think of the reasons to begin blogging the downsizing process, focus and accountability immediately come to mind.  Many of our friends asked if we were documenting the process.  Initially I thought, oh No.  Not one more thing to do!

Then again, on reflection, it might be a good idea to have to report back to some imagined Headquarters on the progress of the day.

Today is Sunday.  Ten weeks ago Paul and I married.  Today we took a long walk around the river front.  It was a good walk.  He ate an apple while I noshed on a gluten free soy free dairy free and if I dream hard enough calorie free enjoy life chocolate bar.  We had memories to share and dreams to weave.  Delighted with our four mile journey, he took to the easy chair.  I decided to take the bull by the handlebars and get on with this downsizing effort.

I went to the kitchen.  I opened the cupboard doors.  Four words came to mind.  Less, Less, Less, Less.  How much salt can one kitchen really need?  

 Yes, this is 3/4 of a shelf in a cupboard which holds Kosher Salt, Hawaiian Sea Salt, Smoked Salt, Red Lava Salt, Austrian Salt from Halstatt salt mines, Celtic Grey Sea Salts, Trader Joes Table Salt.  Well, you get the picture.    To be fair, the doc had advised that to keep me from hypotension something or other I needed salt each morning.  This may be the one time I chose to be a compliant patient.  Salt.

 I can't begin to imagine how to downsize a cabinet of booze.  Begin with bourbon normally on hand for baking brownies.  Let's make more brownies.  The last time Paul and I made brownies with bourbon the oven door blew open as a fireball escaped to the heavens.  Life is exciting when you get married.  And then bake together for the first time.

Tonight we made scallops and shrimp with tequila and lime in the sauce.  Paul inhales a snort of the tequila vapors, and announces his approval.  I give him a full report on the price and the qualities of this tequila versus the other three bottles in the rack.

Less, less, less, less.  Who will want an accounting of downsizing a cabinet of scotch, whisky, bourbon, wine, and two bottles of virgin pressed olive oil straight from Greece?

Perhaps we should start with something more sanguine.  The ever necessary, ever present, ever more annoying than matching socks for a family of six, the scariest storage area in the house, dah - dah - dah - the storage container cupboard.

 To be fair.  When I was still working, I packed breakfast and lunch, and I had meals ready to go in the freezer.  To be honest, I threw out more food than I want to admit because labels fell off, or I forgot about the food, or the seasons changed and I wanted no more thawed out beef stew in the summer, I wanted fresh fish or burgers on the grill instead.   Shhhhhh.  I have two more of these cupboards filled with empty storage containers downstairs.

There is also a camping trunk of similar containers in the shed.  Less, Less, Less, Less.

 Paul, I think you've found the answer.   Like the old commercial said, I'd rather switch, than fight.  I think I will join you and rest.