Because It's Pretty

One of my dear friends is living with me for awhile, and the day she moved in, I gave her a tour de kitchen cabinets. Then she asked about the dish rag/towel system. This, I realized, rivals Soviet bureaucracy in the levels and sub-levels and exceptions (i.e. this towel is for spills, but not greasy ones, and not on the floor, this towel can be used for grease, but not meat grease, etc.). Most importantly, my vintage tea towel collection. Occasionally used to cover rising bread or soaking beans, these beauties are otherwise there just to be pretty. In my constant struggles with privilege guilt, consumerist guilt and an ever-changing comfort zone with material things, I'm coming to peace with my collections of stuff. It's there because it's pretty, and it makes me happy. I acknowledge the need for the utilitarian, but I celebrate the need for the beautiful. Drawers and drawers full of the beautiful.