A Love Letter to Free Boxes

by Katy on June 30, 2023 · 20 comments

My dearest darling,

I see you from afar, drawing me in with your 90°angles. Your open flaps undulating in the breeze — whispering my name.

Katy . . .

I cannot resist your siren song. I look furtively around, who will bear witness to my digression? I act casual, as if it’s a normal thing to rummage through your unknown depths. Will your contents be clean? Will my mercenary nature be revealed as I fill my arms with your bounty? Will there be unexpected moisture?

You’re not discreet, so why should I be? I spy others who unabashedly reach into your depths and yet I hesitate. Those who’ve abandoned ownership of your soul should not stand in judgement of my need.

Oh, my need . . .

A flowerpot, filthy enough to bring a blush to my cheek, a tea cup containing the dried  leaves prognosticating our future, a scratched up frame to display a fleeting moment in time; and the books — so many books! They tell tales as intimate as the love we continue to share.

My home is a testament to our love. What to others may not draw the eye, I know to be evidence of our deep and abiding passion. The belongings to flesh out my world however much my accounts bulge with riches. For it matters not when your love is given as untethered and free as the birds who look down upon us from the azure skies.

You are forever and always my love, the receptacle to my heart. My free box.

Like Non-Consumer Advocate love letters? Then CLICK HERE to read through the archive of every single one I’ve written since 2008. My favorite is the very first one that I wrote.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Instagram.
Click HERE to join The Non-Consumer Advocate Facebook group.

{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }

mary in maryland June 30, 2023 at 5:15 am

Thinking of loves as yet unmet
Thursdays I arise at dawn
with a winged heart . . .
Trash day!
Treasures await
For me?
Or am I just a channel?
As they elude the truck
And find new lives elsewhere?

Reply

MB in MN June 30, 2023 at 5:23 am

Mary in Maryland: Nice!

Reply

Marilyn June 30, 2023 at 10:15 am

An ode to the free box!

Reply

MB in MN June 30, 2023 at 5:22 am

Katy, that is some stellar writing! Brought a smile to my face and a skip to my heart.

Reply

Susan Robinson June 30, 2023 at 6:21 am

My kind of romance novel!!

Reply

Cathy June 30, 2023 at 7:29 am

“Will there be unexpected moisture?” my biggest fear yet such a rush.

Reply

A. Marie June 30, 2023 at 9:07 am

I’ve really been enjoying this solid week of posts, though I haven’t commented up to now. (Chalk it up to the press of DH-death-related “splup,” gardening between rainstorms, and other activities.) But I laughed all the way through this one–not only because of the over-the-top writing, but because I feel exactly the same way about my curbside finds!

Reply

Katy June 30, 2023 at 10:09 am

It’s makes me happy to read that I made you laugh. ((hugs))

Reply

Lynn D. June 30, 2023 at 10:41 am

I share your love of free boxes. I wore a shirt that I picked out of a free box to a doctor’s appointment this morning. If I do say so myself, I looked pretty classy. In fact, my four favorite shirts/blouses are free or thrifted.

Reply

kathleen June 30, 2023 at 2:37 pm

No one puts out free stuff here in our neighborhood in Tx. And if they did, it would have to be an exceptional find to make me brave the 100-plus temperature. But I absolutely loved reading this post (while sitting under the ceiling fan)!

Reply

kathleen June 30, 2023 at 2:44 pm

OMG, I just went back and read the love letter you said was your favorite! LOL “Your hotness never goes out of style.” ROTFLOL!!! Now I’m going to have to go read through the archive of all the love letters. 🙂

Reply

Liz B. June 30, 2023 at 4:15 pm

Kathleen, there are MORE??? Be still, my heart!

Reply

Selena June 30, 2023 at 7:31 pm

I generously fill the free box but have never given in to the siren’s call of a free box.

Reply

Katy June 30, 2023 at 7:45 pm

Like love and marriage, you can’t have one without the other.

Reply

Selena July 1, 2023 at 7:06 pm

Kudos – excellent Wanker response.

Reply

Ann Y. July 1, 2023 at 5:23 am

Love them….just passed one this week that said FREE BOOKS! I found three great books….score !

Reply

Ashley Bananas July 1, 2023 at 6:44 am

My favorite free boxes….a neighbor puts boxes of non perishable food to the curb a few times a year. I think they’re discards from the food pantry…but who am I to judge? Yes, I take them. And I redistribute what I dont want. Free food? Yes, I’ll take them!!! Thanks!!

Reply

Christine July 1, 2023 at 6:51 am

I never got into reading romance novels but now I see I why. The characters were pining for each other instead of free boxes! This is my kind of love story.

Reply

Katy July 1, 2023 at 7:58 am

Mine as well.

Reply

Laura July 1, 2023 at 6:52 am

Tightwad, MO
There ya go 🙂

Not to mention, Frankenstein, Clover Bottom & ‘possum College.

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: