Choosing To Use It All Up

Today's post is brought to you by two writers who are discussing growing old in letters they are sending to each other but are on line for us to read.

Margaret and Katrina.   59 and 55.  Growing older and facing the writing of wills and the prospect of having less (time, money, health) in the years to come.  They also write about what they have learned from their grandparents, aunts and uncles  etc.

You can start here  letters and read the the post and all the replies yourself.  The link in Katrina's letter will lead you to Margaret's reply.

I laughed regarding the "pretty" underwear in the drawers while wearing the ratty stuff (I don't have any pretty stuff).  I, too, have a drawer full of delightful perfume.  I imagine it has gone bad by now.

You know (from reading) that I DO use the "good stuff"--- the linen shirts, the linen sheets, the cashmere sweaters (worn even while baking and cooking). But the good silver is wrapped tight in the drawer.  Part of my not using it is the cleaning and polishing but I am always reminded of my German friend.  Her silver was in the drawer, used everyday and it was polished once a year or before the holidays.  She even washed it in the dishwasher.  The only rule:  only silver in the dishwasher container.  Mixing leads to staining.

After reading the letters:  I am moving the Franciscan Apple dishes to storage and bringing out and using (for the first time in nearly 30 years) the Villeroy& Boch Petite Fleur dishes.  And, I think, moving the regular flatware to the hall drawer and the flatware with the black handles to the kitchen drawer. I bought that in 1981 (Copenhagen) and have hardly ever used it.

The good glasses are in regular usage (and regularly broken).  The napkins are damask or linen.  In use. And they have the stains to prove it.

I think it's time to bring out the crystal vases and fill them with flowers.

While I'm feeling so frisky--I should get started on the dish transfer.  Those stacks of plates, etc are heavy and there are so many of them. In my dreams:  I saw a larger family sitting down together and more dinner parties.  Life doesn't always turn out the way we imagined it would.

 It's single digits with a brisk wind outside--so no walk with Riley.  He and G were sent out to do errands.  The dog thinks a ride in the car is lots of fun.