We’ve all seen the posts about tiny houses. http://tiny.cc/a9gsux They’re cute. They’re low maintenance (always a bonus). And they’re very small.

I find myself attracted to these. But could I really live in one? There are a number of considerations. 1) Could I reduce my pantry to the size of a fruitcake? I’m not sure I could. I like to have lots of food on hand. You know. Just in case. In case we’re snowed in. In case no one wants to go to town. In case, I get hungry.

2) Could I reduce my bookshelf to half a dozen titles? Maybe. If it was a matter of life or death. After all there is my e-reader and libraries. It’s not like I’d be stuck.

3)What about clothes? Everything I owned would have to fit into a closet only 18” wide. Summer time I could manage but winter clothes take up a lot of room.

4) Where would my office go? I need room for my computer, my printer, my files, my research notes, a desk or two to spread out notes on as I work.

This is a view of one side of my office and YES all that stuff is essential.

5)I’m convinced people who live in tiny houses must not have family. I mean, where would they sit? It would be fine if you lived with eternal summer but I don’t.

My conclusion: A tiny house would be nice for a summer home if one had lots of outdoor living space. Or it would be an ideal office. Other than that, totally impractical for me.