A brother's eye view

My brother came to visit today and, in the way of most people I know, I cleaned up a little more, straightened things a little better and looked at my apartment through eyes a bit more critical than usual.

Compared to the rest of my family, my life is much more spartan and simple. They all live in houses with yards, garages and extensive storage areas full of extraneous stuff. I live in a luxury studio with one closet, a washer/dryer closet that can hold a step stool and mop. My kitchen serves as kitchen, linen closet and library so my good books don't get dusty out on open bookshelves. The bathroom is good sized. Elegant but very plain with only the three basics.

I don't have a lot of furniture. In fact, I have gotten rid of several pieces since I moved in here nearly two years ago, so now it is down to my queen size bed, an antique drop front desk, a small antique dresser, a small end table, a set of glass shelves and a huge over-sized recliner. Yet, I can pull out a folding table for dinner parties and the kitchen is big enough to cook a Christmas dinner for five without any problems at all. Oh and there is a small deck with a rocking chair and tea table.

I recently added a pothos plant to go with my small asparagus fern, both planted in simple white pots and displayed on an ebony library step.

I do have two computers and a television with a roku and dvd player, so my life isn't exactly truly spartan.

I have lived in so many places since I moved back to Illinois in 2010. I loved the old charm and the historic neighborhood of my last apartment, but I love the pristine condition of this one. Apartments are expensive here, but I don't regret selling the condo I began with. I like the freedom of not having to worry about the work or money of maintenance. In an hour I can clean my place from top to bottom, lock it up and be gone for even a week or two at a time without any worries at all.

It's good to have company. The conversation, the exchange of ideas and the opportunity to see my life from another's point of view.