The Great Semi-Annual Primetime Swedish Death Cleaning & Swap Meet

I've been wanting to do this for some time, and now that the weather should be turning a little cooler, I'd like to use the Backyard for something useful (other than movies).

Let's get rid of some crap.

At our age we all have stuff that we have put in a closet or squirreled away in a storage shed or storage unit that we always thought we might want or need again some day. Except we didn't.

And there it sits. For years.

The concept of "Swedish Death Cleaning" (if you've read the book or seen the TV show) is that unless you do something, your loved ones are going curse you because they have to deal with it when you die or are no longer able to care for it. So why not go through it now, re-evaluate the need to keep it, and if not, perhaps pass it on to someone who might get some use out of it? Worse comes to worse, maybe Goodwill or the Salvation Army can make some money, or in some cases, wonderful local non-profits like Austin Creative Reuse might be able to provide a resource for a local artist.

It's not doing you any good.

Here's how it will work, but I'm making it up as I go along so this is subject to change.

Twice a year I'll set up tables in the Backyard and invite you to bring all of your still useful but unwanted crap. The idea is to bring things you are willing to part with for free or nearly free with the aim of it going to a good home. Think of it as a Goodwill donation, except you are helping out your friends instead of a random stranger. I'm not going to prevent you from putting a price tag on it if you just can't bear to give it away for free, but this is not the place to try and sell your antique furniture or Babe Ruth rookie baseball card. I would suggest keeping all your prices under $10 if you charge at all. One of the reasons we will only do this twice a year (if it is a success) is so we don't have to worry about sales tax permits.

You are welcome to come even if you aren't wanting to get rid of anything. Whether you are a cleaner or a browser looking for some free (or nearly free) stuff, we'll have a good time. I'll get the hot dog and popcorn machine out, and we'll have music going along with some chairs in the shade to just relax and chill. Sort of like a social garage sale where you know everybody or want to meet other people in the group.

Here are the rules.

(1) When you sign up you'll be asked whether you want a table for yourself. Please answer this question so I know how many tables to have available. If you have your own folding table, please indicate that as well. I'm expecting to have to buy some, which is fine. But if you have your own, please bring it and let me know.

(2) Items should be gently used and in working condition. Please don't bring your non-working electronics or a broken mixer.

(3) Clothing should be washed and unstained. Believe it or not, holes are not that big a problem. Some people like to use such stuff for work clothes or use the fabric for other projects.

(4) At the end of the night, you either need to take any stuff you didn't get rid of back home or help me deliver it to Goodwill, Salvation Army, Austin Creative Reuse, or the like. Suggestions on good places to take things are welcome. We'll probably be doing the donation drop offs on Thursday, September 14. People with pickup trucks are highly valued here.

So let's get rid of some stuff and have a good time doing it. Your kids will thank you.