Moments ago, on a train from Tokyo to Osaka, my bandmate just pulled out of his pocket- a small bag of squares of cheese- Grana Padano- wrapped in cod, and offered me one…. I passed, but now that I read your post, I think I’ll try one.
Except for the Thermos of tea I travel with, the closest I come is a tiny vial of lavender essential oil grown and distilled by my late friend, Ellen. She bought a farm to raise sheep for the wool she wanted to use in her own fiber arts. On a whim, she planted a few of the fragrant herbs to add interest to some of the many acres. She ended up with a lavender farm that became one of the most popular destinations in San Diego.
Thank you for tucking these stunning memories away for us to enjoy now, Lindsay. I think I will pop some cardamom pods in my purse tomorrow.
Ah you're welcome Elizabeth. What a beautiful memory you've shared. That tiny vial of lavender oil, distilled by a late friend. Teary! Beauty, function and sentiment, all in the handbag. Gorgeous.
It takes so little to make a moment special. I carry my own tea bags and salt and sugar, just in case. In Australia, a lot of us like to wander places and having our own supplies makes it such fun. Some lovely thoughts in this piece. Sending heaps of hugs. 🤗🤗🤗
Having your own supplies also feels so safe, so ready! However... I once went on an all inclusive holiday to Cuba and the family at the table next to us had a backpack full of condiments that they brought out to add to their meal. That was too much for me 😂 there is a limit!
Another lovely story Lindsay, Thank you! This summer, I’ve taken to carrying a tiny pair of clipping shears in my purse. Yesterday, on our Canada Day drive up to Wentworth along the old highway through Brookfield, I ended up with the most beautiful little bouquet—irises, daisies, honeysuckle, and buttercups. There’s something so satisfying about gathering and enjoying my own little bundle of blooms. It’s become a bit of a summer obsession :)
Thank You Jude! Love that - "There’s something so satisfying about gathering and enjoying my own little bundle of blooms." So true. And not surprising, you and Lee are kindred spirits - she always has clippers in her glove compartment, just in case she spies something beautiful along the side of the road. She probably keeps them in her handbag too :)
Thank you Heather. I too keep something calming in my purse / handbag / whatever is on the go - a white piece of sea glass, smoothed by the ocean. Serves the same purpose I think :) xo
You do have a way with stories, Lindsay. This is perfection and I began to think what I could keep in MY handbag. I want something exotic, something like cardamom or even salt, because there’s legends of both that go back through millenia.
Instead, I have a packet of Mentos peppermints. Dreary, no?
Or I could be like my mum. I inherited one of my mother’s beautiful clutch bags and when I went to the ballet one night, I decided to look through the zip pocket inside the bag during Interval. There stashed neatly, was a single Benson and Hedges cigarette and suddenly, memory drawers opened - my mum dressed to the nines, lighting up with a gold Oroton cigarette lighter.
The end of the story is that when I scattered Mum’s ashes, I broke up and scattered the cigarette as well. It seemed right.
Ah what a memory Prue, I can see it, smell it! Planning ahead, caring for oneself and planning a moment is a beautiful thing. And the glam of a single cigarette...
My grandmother also carried a clutch that I inherited, and in it, as expected, were tissues that smelled of Chanel N. 5. I shut it quickly to trap that memory inside.
Moments ago, on a train from Tokyo to Osaka, my bandmate just pulled out of his pocket- a small bag of squares of cheese- Grana Padano- wrapped in cod, and offered me one…. I passed, but now that I read your post, I think I’ll try one.
This is taking me to the warmed in the pocket gummy bears from Ferris Bueller's Day Off 😂 But more intriguing. Says so much.
Except for the Thermos of tea I travel with, the closest I come is a tiny vial of lavender essential oil grown and distilled by my late friend, Ellen. She bought a farm to raise sheep for the wool she wanted to use in her own fiber arts. On a whim, she planted a few of the fragrant herbs to add interest to some of the many acres. She ended up with a lavender farm that became one of the most popular destinations in San Diego.
Thank you for tucking these stunning memories away for us to enjoy now, Lindsay. I think I will pop some cardamom pods in my purse tomorrow.
Ah you're welcome Elizabeth. What a beautiful memory you've shared. That tiny vial of lavender oil, distilled by a late friend. Teary! Beauty, function and sentiment, all in the handbag. Gorgeous.
It takes so little to make a moment special. I carry my own tea bags and salt and sugar, just in case. In Australia, a lot of us like to wander places and having our own supplies makes it such fun. Some lovely thoughts in this piece. Sending heaps of hugs. 🤗🤗🤗
Having your own supplies also feels so safe, so ready! However... I once went on an all inclusive holiday to Cuba and the family at the table next to us had a backpack full of condiments that they brought out to add to their meal. That was too much for me 😂 there is a limit!
Another lovely story Lindsay, Thank you! This summer, I’ve taken to carrying a tiny pair of clipping shears in my purse. Yesterday, on our Canada Day drive up to Wentworth along the old highway through Brookfield, I ended up with the most beautiful little bouquet—irises, daisies, honeysuckle, and buttercups. There’s something so satisfying about gathering and enjoying my own little bundle of blooms. It’s become a bit of a summer obsession :)
Thank You Jude! Love that - "There’s something so satisfying about gathering and enjoying my own little bundle of blooms." So true. And not surprising, you and Lee are kindred spirits - she always has clippers in her glove compartment, just in case she spies something beautiful along the side of the road. She probably keeps them in her handbag too :)
Thanks for these memories Lindsay, you write so beautifully.
The most prevalent things I’ve carried in my small shoulder purse are sprigs of juniper in the winter and lavender buds in the summer.
Rubbing between my fingers, for the smells.. it calming to me😅
Thank you Heather. I too keep something calming in my purse / handbag / whatever is on the go - a white piece of sea glass, smoothed by the ocean. Serves the same purpose I think :) xo
You do have a way with stories, Lindsay. This is perfection and I began to think what I could keep in MY handbag. I want something exotic, something like cardamom or even salt, because there’s legends of both that go back through millenia.
Instead, I have a packet of Mentos peppermints. Dreary, no?
Or I could be like my mum. I inherited one of my mother’s beautiful clutch bags and when I went to the ballet one night, I decided to look through the zip pocket inside the bag during Interval. There stashed neatly, was a single Benson and Hedges cigarette and suddenly, memory drawers opened - my mum dressed to the nines, lighting up with a gold Oroton cigarette lighter.
The end of the story is that when I scattered Mum’s ashes, I broke up and scattered the cigarette as well. It seemed right.
Ah what a memory Prue, I can see it, smell it! Planning ahead, caring for oneself and planning a moment is a beautiful thing. And the glam of a single cigarette...
My grandmother also carried a clutch that I inherited, and in it, as expected, were tissues that smelled of Chanel N. 5. I shut it quickly to trap that memory inside.
xo
This is the “pocket cheese” that my bandmate just pulled out and offered.