January Purge

I think it happens every Winter, the need to purge stuff.   It seems we spend years collecting stuff, holding on to stuff, only to find later that we don't want it around.   Jackets, sweatshirts, shoes, appliances, miscellaneous kitchen items, jeans that may or may not fit, t-shirts that have seen much better days, something purchased but never really liked or used.   Our generation has been one of consumer-ism, no question about it.   Make money, spend it, buy things, get more things, collect things.   Seemed important at the time, but not anymore.   I want things that I need, things that I will definitely use.   I think more about what I'm buying, not just spending money because maybe I'm bored or for some other silly reason.

So anyway....I cleaned out closets and drawers and boxes and totes and took a bunch of stuff to the donation site.   Yesterday was cold and post-rain, so it was perfect to sort through papers that seem to have no place to go.   Piles of old papers.   Something I needed to keep but then didn't need it anymore.   It all feels good.   

Then there's the garage.   Somehow old tools keep showing up, long since placed on a shelf and stayed there for lack of use.   I sold old chainsaws and I'm working on a few more items.   Hey, even if someone wants to pay me $10, it's better than nothing, right?   And I like the idea that others can use items that would otherwise end up in the landfill.   There's more, but progress is ongoing.  

My brain also gets cluttered and there are times I need to clear it out.   Usually riding my horse helps a ton, but we actually had some rain this week (yay!) and riding was out.   A trip to the coast?   Yes!

In my opinion, Winter is the best time for photographs at the coast.   I would like to go back today but I have a hair appointment and probably won't make it.   I hear the surf is high, also fun to shoot.   

I hope everyone is the path of the polar express is doing okay and starting to warm up.   Our neighbors down in Santa Barbara County got through the largest wildfire in California history, only to be dealt a monster rainstorm that is causing mudslides.   Floods, fires, mudslides, freezing cold temperatures.   Stay safe, friends.   And thanks for stopping by.