All of my beloved books will be coming with me

Getting ready to move, particularly if you are seriously downsizing, is something like putting away the pieces of a puzzle, after you have finished using it. As a completed picture, the puzzle made perfect sense, but when you pick up a stray piece on its own, you wonder what it is, and often, why you kept it.

Not so with my extensive and now, overwhelming, collection of books. Books picked up on my travels, art books with illustrations of some of the ravishing exhibits I’ve enjoyed, well-thumbed favorites like “Sherlock Holmes” and “The Rubyiat,” reference books, books I use in my work and a few I have yet to read.

Oh, I know we have an excellent library in Branford, and I know lots of information is available on the Internet, and I do make use of both of those sources, but for me, nothing takes the place of having a vast selection of the books I love and use right at hand.

I have decided I will have shelves built in every room if need be, but the vast majority of my collection goes where I go. Furniture, dishes, even some prized art work ... all is slated for an “estate sale” next week, and today I took Chibi-chan, my beloved Siamese, to meet her new owner, Arleen Kelly from Hamden, and I know they are going to be great for one another despite my tears at having to part with my little friend. (I am still looking for a home for Ginger, my talkative, companionable redhead.)

A book editor once explained that, “What is missing when you go to Amazon.com for books is the absence of opportunity for browsing; for finding what you didn’t know you were looking for. Efficiency, along with profitability and convenience, trample the subtle encounters that give meaning to life.”

Coincidentally, I happened to read a review of the just-opened Broadway show, “Matilda, the Musical,” based on Roald Dahl’s book, and not only did the reviewer, Ben Brantley, predict a tremendous hit, his review should encourage every parent to be sure this is one show their children get to see.

Brantley says, “Matilda is about words and language, books and stories, and their incalculable worth as weapons of defense, attack and survival. It’s about turning the alphabet into magic, and using it to rule the world.”

How refreshing and wonderful to have a delightful show for children that also stresses the importance and wonder of words and books.

This past week, along with packing up most all of my books, I have been busy trying to quickly make the many decisions that go into completely replacing a small, but extremely outdated, worn-out kitchen. Cabinets, countertops, appliances, lighting ... so much to think about, and I have very little time to accomplish so much.

Despite the time (and money) involved, I was finding the entire project challenging and fun until I was told that demolition of the old kitchen and replacing with the new would require three weeks, during which time I would have no cooking facilities whatsoever, and any furniture in the living room, which is open to the kitchen, would have to be covered because of the ensuing dirt and dust. Guess I will be taking up residence in the local diner.

Contact Jean Cherni, certified senior adviser for Senior Living Solutions and Pearce Plus, a helpful, full-service program for seniors contemplating a move, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net.

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