Controlled clutter

Way back when dinosaurs ruled the Earth (last New Years day) I remember some vague resolution to "complain less." Well, that one fell by the wayside...

I was inspired by my sister's neat and tidy pantry to finally replace the kitchen shelf liner (scratched, peeling, grubby.) What an exasperating job! The sticky sides of the plastic contact paper cling together like a magnet when you pull the paper backing off.  And can you believe contact paper costs $10 a roll now?

Anyway, despite my sloppy measuring, it doesn't look bad now that everything is piled back in. I only have a few kitchen cabinets, so the baking pans and bulky gadgets are stored in the laundry room, like the potato ricer (for gnocchi) and spaetzle maker (for German dumplings.) The unwritten rule is to get rid of things you haven't used in a year. But hey, you never know when you'll get the urge to cook up a pot of homemade, starchy noodles. John would say, not nearly often enough.

Anyway, we're always being admonished to simplify and de-clutter our lives. It's almost a character failing now to have too much stuff, and getting rid of it is supposed to make us happier. But not so fast. Other studies also show happiness value in some material purchases, especially if money is spent on things that match your interests and personality.

We were at our friends Betsy and Paul's house this weekend, and it was filled with their art collection and all the mundane accumulations of a long and interesting life. Controlled clutter can be beautiful.

Have you heard of "Norwegian Death Cleaning?" It sounds grim, but when people in Scandinavian countries reach middle age, they start sorting through things, throwing out, giving away, whatever, so their descendants won't be burdened with all their stuff, and wonder what to do with it.

I have to admit, I see the point in keeping things somewhat under control.  There are few things sadder than an estate sale. But of course, I won't be at mine.