My bro and s-i-l surpassed themselves in the gifts department this year. Bro gave me a Johnson Cocktail Kit- Bombay Sapphire gin, Noilly Prat dry vermouth, Cinzano sweet vermouth, and a bottle of olives. Fretted about the lack of a cocktail shaker, but I assured him I take my cocktails stirred, not shaken. And measured by eye, which I didn't say because it would have distressed his purist's soul.
S-i-l gave me a leather shoulder bag. I haven't used a bag in twenty-plus years, because weight on one shoulder starts neck vertebrae screaming. But of course the shoulder bags I used in the 90s were huge things that held my teaching supplies in Japan, or books and writing materials and what-all here, so of course they would. I have a teensy little bag for dress occasions that will hold keys and a wallet (but not a change purse as well) and *maybe* a cell phone if you push. Otherwise useless.
But L got me a Roots flat bag, of a kind I think must have been discontinued because I can't find it online. Folded over, it's 9.5 inches wide and 8 high and looks like a purse; the strap doubles and one can carry it on the arm. Unfolded, it's 12 inches high and goes over the shoulder or, if one is slender, can be carried like a small backpack. It will take wallet and change purse and phone and pills and a paperback and glasses, or if unfolded, will accommodate a hardcover or a notebook. And most of all, I can take it to the museum or AGO and not have to part with a thing except my coat. Oh happy day!
