Down here in Australia a laundry on the south side of the house means limited sunshine.  Creamy white walls and  white appliances don’t always make a difference and a quick glance in there one morning last week made me think I was looking into the black hole of Calcutta.  Oh bummer, The Golfer had been up in the cupboard trying to find something and walked away without closing the overhead doors.
A little awkward for short of stature me because the cupboards were put up many years ago well before this particular freezer was bought; however it’s amazing what you can do with a long handled broom instead of resorting to bringing the steps in and leaning over😊
When it was a bit lighter I began to wonder exactly what was up there in those cupboards – wondering when it was last used and would it be used again
It was full of all the things used ‘occasionally’ –  bowls, plates, serving dishes, glasses, assorted  items used for family gatherings, long ago dinner parties, ladies coffee mornings, even BBQs.  Lots of glass and pottery but also some lovely old fashioned china bits.  The cupboard beside the freezer was littered with things we’d used recently but not returned ……the bowls I use for Christmas puddings needed to go elsewhere as well as the orange ‘weighs a ton’ casserole with the posh French name I inherited from my aunt.
Why so much?  Big families needed lots of extra stuff.  We entertained a lot.  I was working and wanted it all  But like lots of us – not just any ol’ thing!
During the 1980s the big dept stores like Myer David Jones, Harris Scarfe, had the most wonderful sales of bowls and platters and glasses. Popular brands of the day like  Orrefors – Kosta Boda – Krosno – even Bohemia (who as well as their famous cut crystal bowls made table glassware in plain simple lines like the Nancy ones) all made their way home with me.  
So before I closed the doors I looked and remembered the happiness, the fun and laughter associated with it all – and decided it could stay there a wee while longer.  It’s not doing any harm, it’s out of the way, some of it does actually get used (now and again) and I’m sure the girls will find homes for the pieces they don’t want😊
Everything back in place….needed the steps after all. Â Now it’s clean and tidy.
Maybe I’m not just ready to do a lot of death cleaning yet. Â How about you?
Still Waters 