I bought a new thatch doormat in Paris a while back. It was very thick, dense and sturdy. I loved it. Even though it was slightly too small for my entryway, I overlooked its shortcomings because I was so enamored with it. After all, it was so tres French! But weeks later, when it came time to tidy up the porch, I lifted up the mat. To my horror, I discovered a haven of refuse. Underneath, assorted dead bugs, dirt and decomposed leaves proliferated under my otherwise stylish souvenir. Part of me was sorry I’d flipped it over at all. But sadly we can’t ignore filth forever, even if we…