Tag Archives: Photos

Post 67: Learning To Travel Lightly

21 Sunday Dec 2014

Posted by in accessories, Family, fashion, Grandmothers, purses, Travel

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I was never one to travel lightly.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always gravitated towards the bigger purses.

My guess is that this yearning began when I was able to see how much my grandmother could fit into her handbag.

And it was a relatively small handbag too.

At any point in time she carried:

Family photo library
Roll of mints
Sewing kit complete with scissors
Bar of soap
A collapsable drinking cup
Your choice of shopping bags: plastic or nylon mesh
A pain reliever
Stationary and stamps and writing implements
All of her travel papers
Rubber bands, paper clips
Hand cream and cologne
Hand embroidered linen handkerchief and Kleenex
Plastic eating utensils
Shopping receipts
Money ledger booklet, wallet and change purse
Lots of ice cream money

…Yes, all that and more.

All this was carried in a highly organized pristine handbag which was never far from her side. Further, she could find you any of the above items in usually fifteen seconds or less. She never had to rummage through her purse either. She always knew exactly where everything was.

After she went into the seniors home, they cut her off coffee and salt because of her high blood pressure.

It was at about that time that she started carrying a small jar of instant coffee in her purse. She lovingly spooned it into her mug after they had brought her hot water and an herbal teabag. Needless to say, she got her own personal salt shaker too.

And as far as I know, none of these items were ever taken away from her.

After all, a woman’s handbag is considered sacred space.

Recently, after losing a paper notebook, I realized that the more I carried the higher the odds that I would eventually lose something.

It only makes sense.

The question is: Why didn’t I think of that years ago?

Granted, when it comes to losing things better to lose a paper notebook than a wallet, cell phone, or I-Pad.

By the way, the notebook I lost was found and returned.

So, I consider myself lucky.

Nevertheless…

I will continue my efforts to learn to pack a little more lightly.

After all, what have I got to lose?

Memories Of My Mother… Part 16: There’s No Such Thing As Taking A Bad Picture

21 Saturday Jun 2014

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I’m guilty of it.

My mother was guilty of it.

Even my grandmother, God love her, was guilty of it.

And do you know what?

You’re probably guilty of it too.

What am I referring to?

Being camera shy.

Yes, yes, I am well familiar with the pang of fear that pierces the heart as someone raises a camera …

What about the hair?

…the lipstick?

…the sloppy clothes?

…the glasses?

Well, no more!

My Grandmother was quite predictable when it came time to taking her picture.  The glasses would immediately come off and then she would launch into the biggest and best smile.

Each and every picture that I have of her (with or without her glasses) is special, and I could spend an eternity looking at them all.

Finally, on our last holiday together, my Mother was a doll and allowed me take her picture, as long as I asked her first.

That was groundbreaking.

I think it was around that time that I have realized that there is no such thing as a bad picture of my mother, grandmother, kids, partner, or anyone else that I love.

Fortunately, neither of my daughters seem to be camera shy.  In fact, they seem to revel in front of a camera, so at least I haven’t scarred them.

And so, I think that I eventually convinced my Mother that when the day comes that she is gone, and as her children and grandchildren look at her photos with her self proclaimed  ‘messy hair’ …  ‘crooked smile’ …. and …. ‘thunder thighs’…

They’re going to say to themselves:

“Damn… she looked good.”

 

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