Maintenance-Part I

Here's the thing, Reader Dear, I'm trying to maintain a blog.  I need to show up with a post every once in a while, so that your interest is piqued now and then.  Otherwise, interest will die.  Yes, facts are facts, and you read it correctly--I said die! (I have experience).

In addition to maintenance of the blog,  I've been thinking a great deal lately about the maintenance of all else.  Oh, so much else!   Let's start, Reader Dear, with the physical body, which
likely tops the list on time-consuming upkeep.

This embarrassingly large collection of maintenance products spotted on a local bathroom shelf

There's NOURISHMENT--purchasing or growing food, opening the faucet (involves maintenance of a plumbing system)  or buying bottled water.  Lots and lots of sub-categories exist here, obviously.

One must stock the cupboards and fridge--canning, freezing (necessary if one is growing all one's own food, numerous trips to the grocery or market, if not); keep order in the cupboards and fridge and freezer (no small job depending on number and character of those sharing  cupboards and fridge and freezer); prepare the food for eating; serve the food for eating; clean-up after serving the food for eating (i.e. wash the dishes, collect the food scraps, clean the sink, store the leftovers, wipe the table, wipe the counters, clean the stove-top. I'm sorry, Reader Dear, I'm getting tired. I'm not hungry right now, either.

Next on the list:  SLEEP.  As in: bed, sheets, pillows, blankets (or possibly just a sleeping bag).   Whatever one's sleeping arrangement, there's some degree of maintenance involved.  And, Dear Reader, surely you realize that on occasion the tedious maintenance involves Nitey-Nite Tea and earplugs and slumber masks and white noise machines and numerous and sundry etcetera

PHYSICAL EXERCISE.  "Twenty minutes a day, five days a week!" instructs my cardiologist with his "this-is-not-just-a-suggestion" voice.

Reader Dear, let's jog along over to a category which closely relates to care of the body--CLOTHING. If you are fortunate enough to have at least several changes of outfit, Reader Dear, then you understand that clothing entails no small bit of  time in obtaining and keeping it laundered and ready to wear.  Don't overlook the procurement and care of coats, jackets, scarves, gloves, hats, shoes, boots...Sigh.  I won't go any further into this category.  One could simply move south, I suppose.  I won't mention upkeep of appliances, if one wishes to avoid hand-laundering of all clothing.

I just changed my mind: I'm going to mention APPLIANCES (those necessities of daily, modern living).  Even if all one's got is the bare necessities--Furnace, Water Heater, Refrigerator, Stove, Washer--there's an annoying chance one will spend more time than one would prefer on maintenance of these.  Of course, for many the list goes on and on:  Air Conditioner, Dryer, Dishwasher, Microwave, Toaster, Roaster, Crockpot...once again, I must just call a halt.  And move on to: Shelter.

SHELTER!
(I pause to vacuum the kitchen floor, and swat a fly)

Parts II, III, and perhaps IV, to follow

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