“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”

Dear Madonna,

I can think of no better call to action, when it comes to a decluttering, than that quote by William Morris. And while I'm not a big fan of New Year's Resolutions, it seems inevitable, or at least natural, to embrace an "out with the old, in with the new" mentality at the start of a new calendar year.

So this month I've embarked on a course of new beginnings and fresh starts that has led to, among other things:

• the culling of my underwear drawer
• the ousting of old, threadbare towels (which remained in my possession for purely sentimental reasons)
• the purchase of a paisley scarf shower curtain, pictured above
• the launch of my new website: http://www.towestcoast.com/

The latter is still a work in progress, as are a number of projects around the Home Zone designed to make my work-living space more, well, workable and live-able. Oh, and I've finally admitted defeat in the battle against of cat-hair and a general lack of skill (or interest) in housekeeping; I've hired a cleaning lady.

What I still need to figure out is what to do with things that are only ephemerally useful and beautiful but which - like a drug - are so, so difficult to give up.

Ciao Bella,
Julie

Out, damn'd spot

Dear Madonna,

As a follow up to a routine physical examination my doctor ordered the removal of a mole on the back of my left arm. It was sent to the lab, and in the words of my friend Marilyn, "didn't pass the test". Nothing like the C-word to give pause, even when couched in reassurances about depth of penetration and highest cure rates.

I was sent to a special surgical unit at the hospital. Another incision was made and (it seems) a pound of flesh was taken from the offending area. I get the stitches out tomorrow and the next step, I think, will be a visit to the dermatologist to have tasteful nude photos taken of my entire body. I'm envisioning some arty, black and white prints to grace my file.

I'm feeling well cared-for and am doing my best to keep worry at bay. And I'm eating a lot of broccoli.

Julie