When I moved out of my house into a condo fifteen years ago I got rid of many old books, but even though I still have two large book cases still filled with books, I don't think I can part with any more of them. I still have my ragged copy of Virgil's Aeneid in Latin from high school, several college texts including Samuelson's Economics, Astronomy 101 (surely outdated 60 years ago) and several texts from being an English major including the compete works of Chaucer, Milton and Shakespeare. I also have novels from favorite authors including all of the books of classmate Nora Ephron. I may never reread any of them but when I glance at them when I walk by they bring back cherished memories of times gone by. That's why I can't get rid of them!
Joy, reading your Substack is fun, entertaining, and so very honest! You’re singing my tune!
I don’t like labels, I can say I care about people less fortunate than I am. Does that make me weak or a socialist, or a bleeding heart? I think it means, “There, but for the grace of God, go I”
We all have our challenges and lessons to learn, so why would I ever look down on anyone? I’m no billionaire, and I never had that as a goal either…as Dolly Levi said (in Hello Dolly), “Money is like manure, it’s no good unless you spread it around encouraging little things to grow!” You definitely can’t take it with you, so why not be like Keanu Reeves and share it with those who might benefit from it!
Please Joy, keep writing and uplifting our spirits!
I, too, got rid of so many books and went digital and now I want my books back! I am collecting once again. I need constant reminding to step into beauty and turn off the noise.
Love the photos of those beautiful homes and always love photos of flowers. I have slowly been going through areas of my home and rearranging and getting rid of stuff I no longer use. I like to focus on one area at a time. Lately, I don’t watch a lot of political stuff, but listen to NPR in the morning and read the local paper. Sometimes I check out the New York Times. And I have been watching Atlantic Crossing on PBS. It is an excellent series about FDR and Crown Princess Martha of Norway during g World War Two. I highly recommend watching it. Thanks again, Joy.
We spend the first half of our lives getting more more more, and then realize we need less less less. And in fact less is more--more time and space for what matters most. Keep on going!
The thing about books is that they're always in view, so always distracting or calling to me. Clothes may be out of control, but they're out of sight in the closet or in drawers. My closet needs some serious eye-balling too... but that's for another holiday weekend.
When I moved out of my house into a condo fifteen years ago I got rid of many old books, but even though I still have two large book cases still filled with books, I don't think I can part with any more of them. I still have my ragged copy of Virgil's Aeneid in Latin from high school, several college texts including Samuelson's Economics, Astronomy 101 (surely outdated 60 years ago) and several texts from being an English major including the compete works of Chaucer, Milton and Shakespeare. I also have novels from favorite authors including all of the books of classmate Nora Ephron. I may never reread any of them but when I glance at them when I walk by they bring back cherished memories of times gone by. That's why I can't get rid of them!
THere is so much to say about books. They are as laden with meaning as our photographs.
Joy, reading your Substack is fun, entertaining, and so very honest! You’re singing my tune!
I don’t like labels, I can say I care about people less fortunate than I am. Does that make me weak or a socialist, or a bleeding heart? I think it means, “There, but for the grace of God, go I”
We all have our challenges and lessons to learn, so why would I ever look down on anyone? I’m no billionaire, and I never had that as a goal either…as Dolly Levi said (in Hello Dolly), “Money is like manure, it’s no good unless you spread it around encouraging little things to grow!” You definitely can’t take it with you, so why not be like Keanu Reeves and share it with those who might benefit from it!
Please Joy, keep writing and uplifting our spirits!
I think your label is "human being who cares about the well-being of other human beings." And that's the most important one.
I, too, got rid of so many books and went digital and now I want my books back! I am collecting once again. I need constant reminding to step into beauty and turn off the noise.
I’m limited by shelf space, so I go digital from the library most of the time. But yeah… paper is the best!
Love the photos of those beautiful homes and always love photos of flowers. I have slowly been going through areas of my home and rearranging and getting rid of stuff I no longer use. I like to focus on one area at a time. Lately, I don’t watch a lot of political stuff, but listen to NPR in the morning and read the local paper. Sometimes I check out the New York Times. And I have been watching Atlantic Crossing on PBS. It is an excellent series about FDR and Crown Princess Martha of Norway during g World War Two. I highly recommend watching it. Thanks again, Joy.
We spend the first half of our lives getting more more more, and then realize we need less less less. And in fact less is more--more time and space for what matters most. Keep on going!
I love your newsletters, Joy! Now I have to decide whether to start giving away books or clothing, or maybe both.
The thing about books is that they're always in view, so always distracting or calling to me. Clothes may be out of control, but they're out of sight in the closet or in drawers. My closet needs some serious eye-balling too... but that's for another holiday weekend.
Seeing those piles of books, the is what I need to do. I have a hard time parting with books.
I know... they're so full of promise and memory. I console myself knowing that if I really really miss one, there's always the library.