It’s amazing the stuff you suddenly don’t need anymore when you’re sick of moving it around. I miraculously decided I could do without five, yes, FIVE bags of clothing. We’re not talking grocery store sacks here. We’re talking hefty lawn and leaf bags. The big ones. I rooted through my closet and out came 5 bags worth.
It went like this:
Have you worn this in six months?
No?
Then in the bag it goes.
I had stuff in there I’ve not worn in a year. and longer. I had stuff that was six sizes too big for me. Six! I kid you not. (That’s a crutch that makes it okay to gain weight, you see. No, no. It’s fine. I’ve still got a “fat” wardrobe!) I had clothes that went out of style with bangles and stirrup pants. A poncho? Seriously? I never even wore that when it was in style. You remember those five minutes they were in style, right? It was all Martha Stewart’s fault.
Anyway, it’s all gone now. I could probably get rid of more, but it’s a start. I shipped them off to the shelter for battered women and haven’t looked back.
But now that I think about it….that poncho COULD come back in style. Maybe I should have kept that?

6 Responses to When We Were Beautiful
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
A Woman's Manifesto
Because a woman’s work is never done.
and is underpaid, or unpaid, or boring, or repetitious,
and we’re the first to get fired,
and what we look like is more important than what we do.
And if we get raped its our fault
and if we get beaten we must have provoked it
and if we raise our voices we’re nagging bitches
and if we enjoy sex we’re nymphos
and if we don’t we’re frigid
and if we love women it’s because we can’t get a real man
and if we ask our doctor too many questions we’re neurotic or pushy
and if we expect childcare we’re selfish
and if we stand up for our rights we’re aggressive and un-feminine
and if we don’t we’re typical weak females
and if we want to get married we’re out to trap a man
and if we don’t we’re unnatural
and because we still can’t get an adequate, safe contraceptive, but men can walk on the moon
and if we can’t cope or don’t want a pregnancy we’re made to feel guilty about abortion
and for lots and lots of other reasons
we are part of the women’s liberation movement.- Joyce Stevens, International Woman’s Day, 1975.

Man Vs. Heart Attack
I am somewhat worried about the dude on Man v Food. He isn’t looking so good these days and putting that food away like that can’t be good for him.
One should always be drunk. That's all that matters; that's our one imperative need. So as not to feel Time's horrible burden; one which breaks your shoulders and bows you down, you must get drunk without cease.
But with what? With wine, poetry, or virtue as you choose. But get drunk.
And if, at some time, on steps of a palace, in the green grass of a ditch, in the bleak solitude of your room, you are waking and the drunkenness has already abated, ask the wind, the wave, the stars, the clock, all that which flees, all that which groans, all that which rolls, all that which sings, all that which speaks, ask them, what time it is; and the wind, the wave, the stars, the birds, and the clock, they will all reply:
"It is time to get drunk!
So that you may not be the martyred slaves of Time, get drunk, get drunk, and never pause for rest! With wine, poetry, or virtue, as you choose!"
Charles Baudelaire













Editing the wardrobe is a *good thing*. Martha Stewart IS the devil. Don’t go get the poncho. Just don’t.
I think ponchos were ‘in’ over here last winter. I’ve still got my plaid poncho from 1973 (first year I was working). I can’t wear it here as it is too windy. I’ve kept my fat jeans to remind me how big I was from behind – never again!
McMeanie, I won’t do it. I won’t!
Anji, I did hold onto a couple things that were strictly nostalgia generators, but I had to draw the line somewhere.
I wish I had the strength you do for cleaning out a closet! I’ve moved quite a few un-worn outfits no less than 4 times. Why don’t I throw them away? Or give them away? I have no idea.
Because perhaps – just maybe – I’ll lose that extra weight and maybe – perhaps – decide I’m young enough to go clubbing again and dress totally inappropriately for someone of my age and people will wonder if I’m a hooker.
Or maybe it’s just laziness.
So good for you!
I have to say, that was a LOT of clothes you got rid of. I think I tossed like 2 flannel shirts and some jeans which were ripped up. And some old socks. Barely a plastic grocery bag full. I am not doing my part.
Yeah, I know, Mr. “We Need To Get Rid of MOST of This Junk!” — by “we” you obviously meant “you” and by “MOST” you obviously meant “except for MY stuff!”