The students are beginning their moving-out preparations, already having abandoned a few pieces of less-desirable and damaged furniture in the alleys, as well as on the 17th Ave NE median.

In my own alley lies the rotting hulk of a marshmallowy, cream-colored, mid-’90s leather sofa; it’s missing crucial cushions, and got soaked in the weekend’s torrential downpour. So if there was ever a chance somebody might want it?Yeah, forget it.

Good trash pickings are as yet scanty, but once the last-minute panic starts there will be an embarrassment of cast-off riches to be had. This week, I got two pillows (to be re-made into cushions for the cat beds), a nice turquoise pillow sham, a gray-and white patterned twin sheet and matching pillowcase, a beach towel (slated for the Humane Society), and a jade-green plastic serving bowl from the two-doors-down neighbors’ trash. We shall see what other treasures the coming week brings.