Slow boat to China

A former supervisor, someone lacking in execution skills but superb at articulating the human condition, once pointed out that moving house is an opportunity to try on a new identity simply by rearranging your belongings. "Who will I be if I put this table here?"

But this move has forced us to ask another question. That question is, who are you if you move to a new home with no property whatsoever? It's true -- our 16 boxes, stuffed to bursting with clothing, pillows, linens, shoes, pictures and kitchen equipment which we shipped a couple of days before we left Salem, have yet to arrive. Rumor has it that they've showed up in Glasgow after (literally) taking a slow boat to China, but they have yet to appear on the doorstep of Little Balone.

As a result, I have -- and this may surprise you -- fewer than ten pairs of shoes including just four pairs of heels. My clothes fit in two drawers and on fifteen hangers. I have one coat. ONE, which has to serve for all situations. We have two towels and no cookbooks. This news may inspire you to send sympathy cards. Or six-inch heels. But I think you'll agree, seeing pictures of our beautiful little cottage, that while I don't currently enjoy the wardrobe of a princess we're living quite happily ever after.

Why? The truth is that, living in a location as rich in culture and art and delightful people as is St Andrews, you don't need much. It's freeing to feel that, instead of fussing around organizing possessions or buying more (we can't afford it!), we can pack a small bag and board a train for anywhere. Perhaps we lock all the doors and windows. Maybe we don't. But we certainly don't worry about it.

We're obviously not living the life of rocky island monks. We have furniture and various kitchen appliances, including a kettle. But we really don't miss the pasta maker, the third and fourth bedrooms, the extra bath, the Ron Popeil knives or the three drawers of unmatched Tupperware. So much less to wash, dust, arrange. So peaceful.

P.S. Shipping company, if you're reading this -- I'm not saying that I don't need my shoes. A girl can't live with just four pairs of heels forever, so step on it.