As of August 15th, 2013:
Hudson Falls, NY
My furniture, part of which I made myself —
and the rest cost me nothing
of which I have not rendered an account —
consisted of
a bed,
a table,
a desk,
three chairs,
a looking-glass three inches in diameter,
a pair of tongs and andirons,
a kettle, a skillet, and a frying-pan,
a dipper, a wash-bowl,
two knives and forks,
three plates,
one cup,
one spoon,
a jug for oil,
a jug for molasses,
and a japanned lamp. …
and the rest cost me nothing
of which I have not rendered an account —
consisted of
a bed,
a table,
a desk,
three chairs,
a looking-glass three inches in diameter,
a pair of tongs and andirons,
a kettle, a skillet, and a frying-pan,
a dipper, a wash-bowl,
two knives and forks,
three plates,
one cup,
one spoon,
a jug for oil,
a jug for molasses,
and a japanned lamp. …
What man but a philosopher
would not be ashamed to see his furniture packed in a cart
and going up country exposed to the light of heaven
and the eyes of men,
a beggarly account of empty boxes? …
would not be ashamed to see his furniture packed in a cart
and going up country exposed to the light of heaven
and the eyes of men,
a beggarly account of empty boxes? …
Indeed, the more you
have of such things
the poorer you are.
Each load looks as if it contained
the contents of a dozen shanties;
and if one shanty is poor,
this is a dozen times as poor.
the poorer you are.
Each load looks as if it contained
the contents of a dozen shanties;
and if one shanty is poor,
this is a dozen times as poor.
Pray, for what do we move ever
but to get rid of our furniture…?
but to get rid of our furniture…?
HDT,Walden “Economy” 1854
I suppose that Thoreau would have had a merry laugh indeed,
to see how I spent the better part of an entire month preparing to move -- and
as much again to get settled afterwards.
Indeed, it took many “carts” – not just one – to do the task.
Indeed, it took many “carts” – not just one – to do the task.
Who knew that books about "lightening-up" could be so heavy?
My days seemed filled with endless to-do lists.
It was more than just a positive move, to a better apartment.
It was also a chance to simplify.
As Henry noted, moving is a good opportunity to look at possessions with a critical eye; to decide what to get rid of, and what to keep.
It was also a chance to simplify.
As Henry noted, moving is a good opportunity to look at possessions with a critical eye; to decide what to get rid of, and what to keep.
That part of it was actually fun.
Then there was a flurry of packing at the last minute – and a month later, I am still searching for certain items. Guess that means I still have too much stuff !
Then there was a flurry of packing at the last minute – and a month later, I am still searching for certain items. Guess that means I still have too much stuff !
Our new place is just a few miles away in the next town. It’s
a brand-new apartment building that sits right along the Old Feeder Canal.
Nine miles of the old towpath has been
converted to a trail now.
This was made possible by the volunteer efforts of the Feeder Canal Alliance.
This was made possible by the volunteer efforts of the Feeder Canal Alliance.
From our window, I can see Mom walk by on her morning stroll.
I had but three chairs in my house;
one for solitude,
two for friendship;
three for society.
HDT Walden, ”Visitors” 1854two for friendship;
three for society.
Though it was not a long-distance move,
and there was a lot more to move than "three chairs,"
I could not have done it without the help of many friends.
and there was a lot more to move than "three chairs,"
I could not have done it without the help of many friends.
Mom, Marie and Claire on the Day Before Moving-Day
People helped in so many different ways – lugging boxes, drilling holes for a curtain rod, or
distracting me by getting me out for a much-needed walk or talk -- I thank you all!
