Even the most clutter-free house has a couple of basic items that you, the occupant, never even think about. Remember the scene from “Repo Man” where the auto junkyard guy pulls a Little Tree off the rearview mirror of a car and says to Otto (the OTHER Estevez): “Every car has one.” ? Well, when it comes to houses, I don’t think I’ve ever been in a basement and didn’t find an old dish drainer – saved in a spirit of generosity for the offspring or friend who simply cannot afford the $6.99 to purchase a new one. Another omnipresent basement item: the hanging mesh bag of magical moisture-absorbing rocks from the 1980s. If they ever did absorb any moisture, it was before I had a single gray hair on my head, so get rid of ’em.

Upstairs I find, under every kitchen sink, a tattered plastic bag of sponges of varying sizes and colors, most of which have also been around since the ’80s, saved for that painting project you never got around to, or just because how can I throw out something I haven’t used? In the bathroom, the exhaust fan that needs cleaning. Notice how that fan seems to get noisier over the years? It’s because of dust and grime accumulating on the blades and in the mechanism. Take it apart, unplug the fan, rinse the dead bugs out of the plastic lens, and vacuum the thing. You’ll be amazed at how quiet your shower-time becomes!

Plenty going on at a less minute level — psyched to watch “Chronicle” on WCVB-TV Thursday night as I’m going to be in the featured Roslindale segment, showing off a couple of great properties. And speaking of Rozzie, Boston Magazine tipped their hat to our fine community in its current issue. I was mined for info and data and not quoted, but I’m getting over it. Here’s the blurb:

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/articles/best_places_to_live/page2