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Published on 04/20/1998 All articles from this issue

It's spring - let's clean

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By Val Graham-Gusto

Other Voices

El Niño has me completely off kilter. This time every year I want to see the sunshine. I want to think about spring. Spring is the time for long walks, daffodils, and SPRING CLEANING. Before I can get down to the nitty gritty of cleaning, I know I have to get rid of the clutter.

Clutter happens. Especially in wet winters when every magazine and paper is saved because there is sure to be more time indoors and more time to read.

Clutter saps energy. To clean, you need all the energy you can muster.

Now with all good intentions, I tackle the job. The challenge begins. How do I sort out clutter from the good stuff, the neutral stuff, the "I may want it again someday" stuff?

I never have a problem with the stuff I would like to take to heaven with me, but there is always something I know I can live without, that is taking up space I need, and still I have a hard time parting with it.

I begin with four labels set firmly in my mind:

Throw away.

Stow away.

Give away.

Keep.

Next, I go through cupboards, drawers and closets. I go with the determination to remember there are things to get rid of, things to be thrown away or recycled. All the paperback books go to the library sale. That dress I bought on sale and then decided it makes me look fat, off to the Discovery Shop.

Closet by closet, drawer by drawer, shelf by shelf. I will not let my mind's rationalization talk me out of it.

"Yes, but I paid so much for it. But my mother gave it to me. It is a wedding, birthday, anniversary gift from someone I really like."

Don't listen.

Before I know it, I have a big bag of stuff to throw away, to go out with the weekly garbage pick-up. I have a couple of boxes of things to stow away, last year's paper work, Christmas decorations that didn't get put away, family albums and vacation souvenirs I may want to refer to later.

There are several bags of clothes and household goods to give away, things I no longer need or want ready to go to some of our philanthropic auxiliaries that will recycle them. Whatever is left is what I keep.

Now, if this rain ever stops, I am ready for the spring cleaning.

Val Graham-Gusto is a Los Altos resident.