A Living House and Martha Stewart

I found this very cool idea...I wish I had a backyard to build one in...
This is a living willow house. Apparently, you build it with willow twigs, which take root and grow. This particular house is two months old, with time the walls of the house will fill in making a fun place to play...sit...hide...read...eat...have secret meeting where the problems of the world are solved.

In my internet wanderings, as I looked for inspiration for downsizing and simplifying, I came across this:http://www.marthastewart.com/blueprint If you scroll down a bit you will come across an article called 100 Reasons To Get Rid of It...so here are my favourites...
2. People burn 55 minutes a day looking for things.
3. 80 percent of what we own we never use.
50. Getting rid of clutter will reduce housework by 40 percent.
89. Because you don't want to end up like the Bronx, New York, man who, in 2003, was trapped in his home under an avalanche of books and newspapers for two days before being rescued.

Things I'd like to do with 'stuff' if I had it:
17. youthfortechnology.orgPut scanners, computers, and cameras in the hands of deserving, impoverished kids around the world.
24. dressforsuccess.orgGive interview and work clothing to disadvantaged women.
55. Trade in an old iPod and receive a 10 percent discount on a new one.
83. Lose the road maps and get a GPS system to download up-to-date travel guides.

These are just cool things that you can do with stuff:
10. Swaporamarama.orgAttend nationwide clothing exchanges and do-it-yourself alteration workshops.
11. Wildzipper.comWatch as a pile of your favorite old T-shirts is converted into a quilt.
41. Nikereuseashoe.comRecycled footwear materials become sports and playground surfaces.
48. Gaiam.comPlastic soda bottles become durable hammocks.
49. Recycline.comYogurt containers become colorful plates, flatware, toothbrushes, and razors.
83. Lose the road maps and get a GPS system to download up-to-date travel guides.

Apparently, Martha Stewart ran out of good reasons for getting rid of stuff, so she filled the penultimate 5 with quotes like:
90. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." -Leonardo da Vinci
91. "Less is more." -Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
92. "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." -William Morris
93. "You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative." -Johnny Mercer
94. "The joy of giving is indeed a pleasure, especially when you get rid of something you don't want." -Frank Butler and Frank Cavett, "Going My Way"

And the final word...
100. And what's the worst that can happen if you throw it out?

This shall be my mantra as I toss, give, sell and otherwise...get rid of 'it'.