Encounter with Lenore. Rummage anyone?

Monday, April 9th.

Tomorrow, I'll have been home for a week. Healing mind, body and soul is taking longer than I expected. I planned to be back to normal today...either there's a great big NORMAL right around the bend, or I've been over-optimistic about my powers of regeneration. I had forgotten about Lenore's stuff. At the very time when we are trying to cut back on my flotsam and jetsam, we've inherited a entire other person's hoardings!

The heavy lifting was largely done by Beth and Shayna - clearing the clutter and lifting the dirt. They pioneered the sorting system that worked for us:

1. Stuff that had value: a) a known destination. Like the Keyser family Bible. b) monetary value, worth selling. Like her freezer or washer-dryer, futon, her bed, her electric chair. (offer first to family & friends). c) sentimental - check with person or persons.

2.      2.  Good rummage

3.      3.  Crap

4       4.  Stuff to Re-cycle

There is an odd scent that clings to her belongings – very unpleasant, like extremey rotten meat. Bill thought that it might have come from the freezer but that is now spick and span. The smell lingers on. Since it is particularly strong on blankets and towels, the washing machine is running steadily and the lines are filled outdoors.

We've found several lists with particular designations for her belongings. The only surprise is the dresser to Marilyn Gillis. She'd frequently told me that her blue and silver hand-thrown pottery set would become mine - lately she sounded resentful and I took special care not to look interested in them  (– yet I didn't want her to think that I disliked her offering). The carved chest from Mexico that no one was allowed to sit upon or to puts one's legs upon was Beth's. The U of T chair, Lenore was convinced, was just the thing for Bill - whether he wanted it or not!

We found a letter indicating that she intended to make us the beneficiaries in her will. We don't think that she ever got around to making the change but it was nice to know that she recognized the extra miles that we (especially Bill and Beth) did for her.

There are boxes of neatly labeled sewing supplies, enough zippers for a two dozen seamstresses, bags of quilting material – wool or cotton, triplicates of cleaning supplies – sheets, towels, pillows, kitchen tools, an extra table or three, washing/drying machine combo, microwave, file cabinets, old t-v set, CD/tape/radio stereo (small), and on and on. How about floor length cotton skirts – one size fits anyone? Scarves, gloves and toques?

Anyone need something? I'll look for it! (We'll be in both Saskatoon and Regina this week so we can offer delivery services!)