While cleaning out my closet last Saturday, I took out this vest and decided that after 25 years it was ready for another owner. I have not worn it much – too fancy for casual wear, and I don’t go to a lot of parties. Also, it has orange, which is just not my color. … read more The old orange dragon
Tag: clothes
The fabric of Phil
There’s this T-shirt I’ve had it for 20 years. Can’t get rid of it. If I’d follow the advice of William Morris and countless decluttering experts, I should toss this T-shirt because it is neither beautiful nor useful. I was weeding out clothes today, and I tried again to put it in the box. Couldn’t do it. … read more The fabric of Phil
Taken to the cleaners
Just about fainted when I opened the bill from the cleaners: The total was $4,178.50. This is for cleaning all of the textiles that were covered with debris when the tree fell on our house. The tree punched five holes in the roof, including several on the main floor and a big one in our bedroom … read more Taken to the cleaners
The woman with the dirty T-shirt
She wavered at the car and the crosswalk, not exactly weaving but not quite steady either. Her hair was six ways to Christmas, unbrushed; her skin was blotchy and eyes baggy without makeup. Her shorts were too short for a 50-something woman out in public, her T-shirt was stained and crumpled. It seemed she hadn’t … read more The woman with the dirty T-shirt
Seven pairs of pants
Since I’ve lost 25 pounds, all but a few pairs of pants are now too big for me. So I still look fat, wearing all these baggy clothes. I hate shopping, though, especially clothes shopping. And ESPECIALLY pants shopping. Because you have to try on soooooo many pairs to find pants that fit right and that aren’t … read more Seven pairs of pants
Tick, tick, tick
No matter how hot it gets, I wear long pants and a hat when I hike through the woods. Along with bug spray, this is my protection from ticks and chiggers. It’s not enough, though. Chiggers are the larvae of mites, and they hang out near the ground where it’s moist. They jump onto your clothes … read more Tick, tick, tick
My clutter, my self
I had written “toilet paper” on my list a couple days ago. Today I was clearing some shelves in the basement, and discovered a package of 20 rolls. Must have put it there in some misguided attempt to reduce clutter under the sink in the main floor bathroom, where we usually keep the toilet paper. Clutter … read more My clutter, my self
Dr. with a cure
I have a great pair of black fleece pants that I found in a thrift store – they’re covered with neon-green Grinch faces. Obviously these are meant to be for Christmas and lounging, but today I put them on and wore them all day. All FIVE visitors saw me wearing them: the water remediation guy, the … read more Dr. with a cure
A new habit
Usually new habits are hard to adopt. But I’ve changed a lifelong habit in one day. It happened because I’ve had shoulder pain from strains, off and on, for years. But lately it’s been bad, bad, bad. An MRI revealed a tear, and yesterday I learned from an orthopedic specialist that I have a frozen … read more A new habit
The same, but moreso
DECEMBER 20: One thing I’ve noticed about my recovery-era feelings and behaviors is that they are unquestionably genuine. I don’t have to wonder whether they are some psychodrama I’m re-enacting, or some manipulative behavior that my devious subconscious has come up with. They come straight from inside my own head, unfiltered, authentic. And they’re not … read more The same, but moreso