Tidy, Tidier, Tidiest—(I Wish)

JoAnne says that one of the most influential books she’s read, and she read it as a child, was Cheaper by the Dozen (not anything like the movie with Steve Martin). It’s about Frank and Lillian Gilbreth and their family of twelve kids. The Gilbreths were Motion Study experts, pioneers in the field of being efficient at work and creating a work environment that eased physical stress. Books about being well organized have been popular best sellers for years. And still, lots of us struggle to reach that elusive goal.

A few weeks ago, Kevin was helping me do something on the computer. To the left, there was a stack of papers and stuff. He moved it over and uncovered a book. He held it up for me to see. “I’ve been looking for that,” I said. “And you get the irony,” he said. “Oh, yes. I do.”

I had read about this book the life-changing magic of tidying up in some article in some magazine, and checked the library book catalog to see if they had it. They did! It was checked out and there were 20 or so people who wanted it, so I added my name. After a few weeks, it was my turn! I checked it out and never got around to reading it. I returned it and again put my name on the list of requestees. I got it again, and didn’t read it again. And it went back again. Then, the third time, I started reading it. It makes being organized sound really easy (they all do, those books). The author says that, basically, look at what you have, keep only what “sparks joy” in you. Get rid of everything else. Then, decide where the things that spark your joy belong. It’s that simple. It works, she says. And she has a long list of clients who prove it.

My tidy bathroom counter

There’s a lot more information, but I was hyped up and thought I would tidy up my bathroom counter. (This is seriously out of the sequence that Marie Kondo suggests, but it’s about all I thought I could manage at the moment.) And what’s on my counter doesn’t exactly spark joy, but I guess soap for hand-washing and lotion for hand softening do bring me joy. And, having my insulin supplies and tooth brushing stuff nearby also makes my happy. So far, that’s as much as I’ve got. And I saw a new version of the book at the book store earlier this week. The name is spark joy and it looks very much the same, except it has some charming little illustrations (as opposed to the page after page of words and sentences that the original book has).

Meanwhile, I’ve not finished the book, and Wednesday I was at the library to check out some other things I had on hold (a cute picture book for Peter to look at when he comes today, a video, an audiobook, and a book of short stories that I plan to read at least one of). I went to the automated checkout computer and scanned my library card and began the process of checking out things. It said I had a $1.60 fine, but it’s usually not a problem as long as you’re under $5.00 (then, they really would like you to pay before you get any more books). I tried a couple of times to get the computer to scan a book as “checked out.” No luck. Hmmm, I thought, I wonder if I can’t check out more books if I have an overdue book. So I picked everything up and went to a checkout desk. I handed over the books and asked the librarian if I was prevented from checking out new books if I had an overdue. “Well, yes, usually,” she said. “But I can renew that for you.” “I don’t think you can,” I said. She didn’t say anything, but scanned my card and began to try the renewal process. I guess she thought I didn’t have confidence in her ability to renew a book. But she didn’t know that 17 people are waiting for a copy of what I have. “Oh,” she finally said. “It’s reserved.” And then, “Will you bring it back?” “Yes,” I said, because I am most certainly going to bring it back. When I’m done with it. “Okay,” she said, and began to check out the new things I was getting. “Don’t wait too long,” she said, handing me my new books. “The fine will keep adding up.” “I won’t,” I said. I think I’ll be able to finish it in a couple of days. And I’ve already put my name on the list for the newer version, which the library already has about five copies of. I’m number 20 on the list.

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.