He really needs to get his garage organized, but this is such a touchy subject. This is one of those off-limit areas that I don’t go near– except for the laundry room and freezer. Anyway, there’s a very long history and lots of great stories that surround the ‘garage’.
This is like his special place where he could get away from things and just invent, create, develop and in general get away. Through the years, his garage developed into more like this ‘black hole in space’ that could somehow contain all the things that no one knew where to put.
He was always so gracious in finding some little nook to place things. When the kids left, they left things behind, when they came back, they needed places to store things, when parents passed on — their things were passed to us, and ultimately Rich’s garage space.
So, short story long…. his garage has grown past the comfy clutter needed to create and has become this uncomfortable, disheveled shell of its former self where nothing can be located or worked on.
I suggest organizational shelving and containers, but he doesn’t want his garage to look too fuu-fuu. One son joked about coming in and tossing the clutter — but as you know what one thinks is clutter is important and valuable to another untrained eye.
My daughter suggested calling one of those designer shows that will come in and redevelop a room. These ideas are met with a deep grumble, because he knows no one will have respect for his things like he would. But the task is overwhelming.
I think we’re in transition now and many things are changing. One son just bought a home in Vegas and when he moves, some of those things will move with him, making a bit more space.
I can be responsible for all the items that are of my origin.