The Couch
Ok, I know many people are attached to things, inanimate
objects, possession big or small, inherited, bought or acquired. THE couch of all couches (to me) became
mine. I loved it instantly. Always
wanted a pit group & it was finally something that we had saved for and
were able to get. Next to our mortgage it
was the most expensive thing we bought.
The year was 1986, back then $1,200.00 was what it cost. That was
$200.00 a section. It was chocolate
brown & the most lush, plush, rich looking & softest comfortable piece
of furniture ever. I could move it many
ways, an adult play pen, a long couch, a love seat… you name it. It has been with me all these years even
though we were on the road a lot, when I came home it was a haven for drummers,
guitar players, girl friends, relatives, extended family, friends of friends…. Need
to crash?… we got this couch….
There was many hours of slumber from many people. Fornication was had by many, popcorn, movies,
snuggling with our pets in the latter years.
We lived on that couch with many people & animals. After all we put it through, it still looks
warm and inviting, it looks like….Home.
We put in wood floors instead of carpet. Because of that the pit group
moved all over the place when it needs to stay in one spot.. Carpet make it
ok. Signs of wear have started at this
point as well, so the plan was to move it into the studio as a secondary bed
for guests if needed. The new couch is
also a brown sectional, darker and only three pieces. More modern, upgrades ya
know. I didn’t change the color, just
the shape. So the beloved first couch
is moved to the Catnip Studio where of course the cats live. The occasional dog, the guests of the studio,
and it still has a life giving comfort and love back to whomever falls asleep
on it. More signs of wear.. L the animal hair is a lot to contend with on
a normal basis, but when you get it on your couch there is always more to
do. It then becomes a target for animals
to use it for other things…….. ahem. Once
that starts, there is no stopping it.
Markings of ownership, they love the couch too, just a little too
much. I can wash cushions, I can’t wash
frames. The sides of two pieces are worn
and creek a bit due to people sitting on the sides. The wear spots are not
visible to the eye, but when you clean the couch you see the wear spots on the
sides of the cushions. I am writing
this to talk myself into what needs to be done.
Selling it to someone else is out of the question. I would not consider selling it for the same
reasons I should not keep it. I love
this couch. It is like an album of
pictures full of memories. When I sit on
it, it hugs me. However the strong smell
of an old cat is not something I care to be pulled out of my memories by.
Dog beds cost anywhere from $40. To $80. ,Or more unless you
are creative and make them yourself.
This old couch has life in it still.
As I take my razor to attempt to cannibalize it for repurposing, I can’t
help but shed tears. I take good care of the things I have. I hate to let go of things I love, it can come
in many forms, people, things, animals, yes.. I am almost a hoarder but not
quite. When I do let go I feel a weight
lifted in a positive way, a bit of freedom and a memory that will never leave
me. I get to keep those. I know I should
do it and I will. I will say goodbye to
my old friend of comfort by taking it apart, saving the materials and
repurposing the things I can wash and bleach.
It is large, so I will gain space.
It has taken me over a year to decide one way or the other to do
this. I had to push myself to do it. Now
because of what I have done, (a love seat on the way) it is a must that I tear it apart. I will use those cushions for my 8
dogs. They love the couch cushions that
will fit under my bed for them at night… and it will be clean for them. I will still have parts to remember it, but
somehow I feel like a traitor to all the good times and comfort it has given me
and my friends over the years. SO many of you who read this… know the couch of
which I write of. You have slept on it…
errr whatever you did when I wasn’t lookin.
So with all due respect… goodbye my old couch. I will never forget you. I will probably
never forgive myself for tearing you apart.
I will go back and forth in my mind saying… maybe it wasn’t that bad.. maybe
I jumped the gun.. maybe I should have could have would have… but no.
I know I need to do this. I have
added up the plus’s and the negatives. The plus’s of piecing it out way
outnumber the reasons not to.
For all of you who have been one of the couch dwellers… say
your goodbyes also. I counted you all up
once, then lost track of how many more.
Over 112 people have slept on this couch. Rock & Roll history, IT BELONGS IN THE
ROAD DOG MUSEUM I TELL YA !!! Parting
is sad sorrow. Maybe now I can concentrate on other things
instead of morning an inanimate object.
I’m silly like that.
I got a guest room now.
If that is full and you are a guest of mine, if you are short you can
sleep in the studio. If not… there is
another couch in the living room… it is still pretty much a virgin, only a
dozen people have slept on it … so far.
Cleaning out my clutter and my precious band memories.
Tune it or die.
