Pretty good. This trip has been tiring, but it's hard to separate physical symptoms from raging annoyance.

Yesterday, we were theoretically sorting out bridge cloths from the mountains of inherited tablecloths and napkins to send to a relative who said she'd like them. One set was prettier than the others, and Mom said, "That's so pretty. Let's save it." You're 88, Mom. Save it for what?

As I was driving over to Hil's house this morning in preparation for the release of the GISHWHES list (expect Beep Me post soon), I was listening to Nightvale episode 22. And the weather came on, and I thought, "This is a nice enough song." And then t spoilers for the weather in Ep 22 the chorus started with a lyric something very like, "There's a hole in the world. You'd have thought we'd know." And I said, "Wait. Wait! I know that line. Is this...is this a fanwork?" and then I went back to the beginning of the song, and it fit, and I said, "Holy shit, I think it is!" and then, in the credits, the nice lady said the song was called "Winnifred" and I wanted to know why no one told me about this.

Oh Ginger.

One set was prettier than the others, and Mom said, "That's so pretty. Let's save it." You're 88, Mom. Save it for what?

Classic Mom.

I forgot to say shrift's hair was lovely! As is shrift.

You're 88, Mom. Save it for what?

That's what I've been telling my parents, who are in the process of moving to a one-bedroom apartment. They're only 70, but I said, if you're not using the china now, and I don't want it, why lug it over there just to stuff under the bed?

They're only 70, but I said, if you're not using the china now, and I don't want it, why lug it over there just to stuff under the bed?

To be fair, there's a lot of fear about losing things--they're already losing their youth, and their friends, and now they're giving up a lot of stuff that helped define them. My mother refused to the very end to give up the enormous china cabinet with her good china in it, and it's in the apartment still. My dad was sad to give up the enormous mahogany bureaus they'd bought when they got married.

So my sister & I saved a lot of stuff just so we could tell them truthfully that the most important and valuable family stuff was safe in our basements. At some point we'll go through it all again and find homes for some of it. Maybe.

I vote use the china! My mother started using hers regularly not that long ago, and it's great. So keep it, but not under the bed.

Yeah, both my parents have a lot of STUFF. My dad collects stamps, and my mom is a bargain hunter (doesn't matter what is it, what matters is how good a DEAL it was!). But even stuff like the furniture, I think there's only one or two pieces I'd even possibly want. My mom has a couple of Hoosier cabinets/pie cabinet things, but they're just not my style. There's a wardrobe that was a great-grandmother's, but I can't really see lugging it to Seattle, and likewise I figure my sister will get the chair our great-grandfather made. Other than that? Photos is about it. Mom's not one for jewelry.

To be fair, there's a lot of fear about losing things

Oh, my mom knows she saves stuff for no reason. She's been really good about keeping the things that have meaning, and not the things -- like two dozen various china bunnies -- that don't anymore.

Like, we put all the pictures aside for her to go through a little at a time -- they've never been all in one place before. And my sister-in-law's taking the china, and we took a bunch of duplicate kitchen stuff found in the back of Mom's pantry.

I know I'd hate my kids passing judgement on what of my stuff is worth keeping.