I have written about how much I had wished, for a long time, to live in West Bloomfield. Now that David and I live here, we get to enjoy everything that this community offers. One of the many aspects and events that I have appreciated a lot is the Community Garage Sale, which is organized by West Bloomfield Parks every so often. This is where the quote, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” comes to life. We participated in it last year for the first time, and we enjoyed the experience. So long as we continue to have things that are no longer needed and, therefore, would like to sell, we will participate in it.
I like our living spaces to be simple and uncluttered – much like a Japanese tatami (straw mat) room that contains only the bare minimum, essential items. This is the essence of Zen.
Because we downsized from a much larger home, our new place was packed with things that desperately needed to be sorted between “need” and “want.” This meant most of the non-essential items had to be moved to the garage which, in turn, became packed. Now that we are settled in, the items that did not fit in the garage cabinets had to be disposed of. Another Community Garage Sale to the rescue! We made progress selling off many of the unnecessary items. Finally, the garage is clutter-free, and I am regaining my sanity. Thank goodness.
The easiest things to let go of were most of the yard-care tools because the tasks are now being handled by the association – except in the small courtyard and the double decks, which are our responsibility.
Talking about the courtyard, our unit happened to come with a Japanese maple tree. Everything about this place feels like it was meant for me, an immigrant from Japan. That said, the first spring after we had moved in, the tree seemed rather ill and sad. David took a picture of it and showed it to a botanist at a local gardening store. The gentleman took a quick look at it and said that the tree needed to be watered regularly. So, for an hour every other day during the warmer weather, we gave it a good soak.
Thanks to the helpful advice, this year, the tree looks vibrant and gorgeous. I think I will still water it once a week whenever the outdoor temperature is high, and there is no rain for more than a week.
By the way, what I am about to say may have already been said elsewhere on this website but here it goes: the rest of the condominium-complex grounds, maintained by the association, are stunningly beautiful all year round. They do an incredible job of keeping it that way. Whenever we return home from an outing and enter the complex, I am instantly filled with gratitude for the beauty of it all.
I simply love and enjoy our home where David and I share our lives together.
