One of Alabama’s first governors was named Chauncey Sparks, my grandmother’s maiden name was Sparks, the owner of the old Birmingham Barons baseball team was called Sparks DeMent. Both noun and verb- sparks- could describe all three of these individuals. Yet I suppose my favorite definition is a ‘glimmering particle’ which imparts an emotion. This is what New York Times bestselling author, Marie Kondo speaks of so eloquently in her two books, ‘the life changing magic of tidying up’ and ‘spark joy’. I have read the first- the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing, all the way through and have finished most of what she suggests. All throughout she speaks of keeping ‘whatever sparks joy’ and discarding what doesn’t. I found her writing style so charming- she could be a southern girl the way she says- ‘tidying up’! Everything we do here is ‘up’…’clean up, make up, mess up, mop up, wash up’…! Marie Kondo is a successful smart lady from Japan. Her methods really work.  I have dipped in and out of her second book, ‘spark joy’ , but somehow until I finish all of the tasks in the first book, I cannot move on to the ‘master class’ in next one. That’s how powerful Ms. Kondo’s books are! They spark something inside me that I know is true, they inspire me because I have glimmering particles of joy each time I look on my bookshelves, in my closet and drawers which have been the recipients of her advice! Take a peep inside a few of my drawers, they were done months ago. I realize there are enough striped shirts to outfit the Royal Navy, but my drawers have stayed organized just like she suggests. Better yet? I can find things, I can put things back, I like what’s in there and it truly does ‘spark joy’ when I look in those drawers!

Now, I know writing about peeping inside a lady’s drawers alongside the words – ‘grandmothers, governors and baseball barons’ is scandalous especially in Alabama, but Marie Kondo’s books are just too full of ‘sparks of joy’ not to shamelessly let you in on it! I hope you will read them both and let me know what you think.

Love y’all, Camellia

http://amzn.to/1S1UmWG  ‘the life changing magic of tidying up’ by Marie Kondo

http://amzn.to/1N1xdMK ‘spark joy’ by Marie Kondo