July 24. Abe Lincoln is in the box. Remember I said to beware the back of the closet? Well I found 2 Abe Lincoln imitation brass book ends back there and I put them out on the dining room table dutifully asking should I toss them and got a yes along with yes on a somewhat shabby used shower curtain liner, 15 empty spaghetti sauce jars, and a tarnished silver chip and dip set. Meanwhile I hauled out all the food containers I found and dumped them in the pile too… You’ve all done the litany on the food containers: "Container, no lid – toss." "Lid – no container – toss." "Container with matching lid… if gooey and stinky – toss. Otherwise hold for decision." Well the table was so cluttered that when I wisked away the tarnished chip and dip set, the 15 empty spaghetti sauce jars and the shower curtain liner… I missed Abe Lincoln.
Mom’s eagle eye spotted the Abe Lincoln book ends in the clutter of morning newspaper and cereal bowls… "Oh! The book ends! Better pack them. Jack loves those." My head aches from the whip lash. "Abe Lincoln book ends? I tossed those… OOPS." When my brothers go to move Mom they are going to wonder how come I packed so much stuff. Well…. You gotta move fast when Mom says, "toss’ em," because she’s going to change her mind! So… Abe Linclon is in the box. And whoever unpacks him, be generous… I tried. Oh how I tried!