​Okay, now that I have just said something so radical that some of you are literally falling off your chairs; something that goes against seemingly all current and popular way of thinking ... allow me to qualify!
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But first, a moment of apology to those sputtering these, and other protests; "But I feel better when there is no clutter around!"  "My parents/grandparents stuff is so out-dated .. and I don't want it!" "I have more time to go have fun without having stuff to dust!"  And so on and so forth.  In fact, I do hear this and more, all the time ... ad nauseam.  It is pounded into my head constantly by posts on social media, magazine articles and well-meaning individuals.  And I think these reasons resonate with people because there is indeed value in clearing out useless clutter.  But grant me the opportunity to offer another viewpoint ...  ​

Value in heirlooms

An heirloom is "a valuable object that has been owned by a family for many generations".  Value is determined by you.  And many generations can start with you too!  This really comes home when you have a child.  I take great joy in mixing up ingredients in my Mom's old robin's egg blue Pyrex bowl - but what greater joy is there to watch my daughter do the same thing? ​

Value in keeping hard copies of books, photos, music & film

Don't get me wrong - I absolutely LOVE being able to take digital photos and have access to them immediately, without the need for processing or printing them.  And I love scanning old photos, having the ability to restore them and thus prolong their survival.  But printed photos in themselves, have a story to tell and are still necessary to safeguard your special memories.  I have dozens of photos I need to print and I intend to do so.  Once they are printed, I can view them ... all by myself!  It is dangerous to solely rely on a device, that requires power and a provider, in order to view your photos or documents.  The important ones really do need to be backed up on paper.  And a lifetime collection of favourite books, films and music is expensive to reassemble on your devices.  The old joke is that every time the medium changes, we all have to buy "The White Album" again!  But it really is no joke.  At 99¢ a song, that can really add up if you are a serious music lover.  And I had gotten so used to hearing The Beatles on digital recreations that when my husband ran one of my old albums on the turntable; it literally felt like John, Paul, George and Ringo were singing right in the living room!  I had simply forgotten the fantastic and superior sound of vinyl records and all the feelings evoked by hearing these chappies again, properly, ... and re-examining the much worn and loved covers of my 35-40 year old record collection - the best!

Not to mention the sheer pleasure of holding a real book in your hands, late at night, without the added distraction of "firing up" that electronic technology.  Or cooking recipes from your Mom's, Grandma's or even Great-Grandma's recipe books!  Sure, you can look up new recipes on-line and that's great (though I encourage you to compile these new-found recipes into a book of your own) - but what a joy and feeling of connection to see the scribbles, notes, clippings and long-ago food splotches in your Grandma's much utilized recipe book!  I guarantee you will learn something you didn't know about your family by following the path they took in their kitchen on some long ago day.  

Items that can be reused

This is huge for any one committed to "going green".  Old clothes, linens, containers, craft items, school supplies - this stuff adds up and adds to the clutter.  But what a savings to have these items on hand when a costume is needed for Hallowe'en, school plays or dress-up days!  Old clothes that are in good shape should be donated but worn out clothes can be made over into a variety of items - like doll blankets, hankies, catnip bags or potpourri pouches!  The rest can be cut into rags and used for all kind of tasks from polishing furniture to cleaning bike chains.  School supplies and craft items can be sorted through and compared against next year's school list - often saving a fortune in buying all new school supplies each and every year.  ​

There seem to be rainbows abounding all 'round at Meadow Sweet Grove lately ... in some form or other!

Sighting a rainbow is such a mystical experience.  That breathtaking spectrum of colour that appears brightly overhead for just a moment of time literally illuminating the day.  The sheer size and perfection of the arch is awe-inspiring in itself and is an example of Mother Nature's power.  And when a double rainbow occurs?  Count yourself very fortunate indeed.

I have observed that rainbows most often appear when, during a rainy day, the sun suddenly bursts through ... and for a short time, there is both rain and sunshine.  That's when its time to spin around quickly and see where the rainbow is showing itself in your neighbourhood!  Sometimes it isn't worth trying to catch a photo - by the time you grab the camera - the rainbow is starting to fade in brilliance.  But magical moments in life are meant to be enjoyed as they happen anyway.  Truly, they appear for such a short period of time (like many outward "proofs" of magic) that they are unfortunately missed or misinterpreted by many.  But seeing a rainbow can have such a significant meaning (often a hidden one), that the fabled search for the pot 'o gold isn't even necessary - just catching sight of the rainbow itself enriches.  I have noticed, however, that the land over which the rainbow occurs (either beneath the arch or at one of the ends) has often proved to be noteworthy ...                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

And, of course, you can always create your own luck through the use of prisms.  Just place them anywhere the sunshine falls in your house ... and they will catch the rays and transform them into good rainbow vibes, right in your own magical home.

                                                                                                                                      Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018 / edited 2020