I saw this ad in the newspaper, and I was uncontrollably drawn to it. I cut it out – just in case. Can you guess what caught my attention?
I can usually control myself when it comes to shopping. In fact, as I’ve grown older, I mostly dread shopping. I go to the store when there is something I absolutely must have.
However, there is one type of merchandise that receives its own automatic alert before I even enter a store. Somehow – and I think this must be some kind of voodoo – the merchandise can feel my presence. As soon as I set foot inside the store, I see a blinding light, I hear enchanting singing voices calling, and I feel the earth move under my feet as I am magically transported to ‘that’ section of the store.
(Oooops! Song interlude.)
And then I see them. My breathing quickens. My heart skips. My eyes widen. And my mouth spontaneously forms into a perfect “O”
. . . as I behold. . . the tote bags!
I can hear you laughing. . .
I know what you’re thinking. What a ridiculous obsession! Maybe – maybe not.
Here are reasons I collect tote bags:
- There are portions of my life that I need with me (close to me and not in a suitcase) when I go out of town – like camera, book, cell phone charger, etc. A tote bag is the perfect carry-all.
- When I participate in an activity like acting, directing, teaching, I need a place to keep scripts, or music, or notes, or whatever.
- When I finish an activity, I need a place to store scripts, etc. so I can remember where they are – I can visually associate a particular activity with the tote bag used (Hey! I need all the memory tricks I can come up with).
- I like them!
Here are three of my many tote bags.
The one on the left is a tote bag I bought in Middletown, Virginia when I appeared in a play and a musical at the Wayside Theatre one summer. It says “Wayside Theatre.”
The one in front is a tote bag that was on special a couple of years ago at an Old Navy clothing store.
The one on the right called to me as I was passing an airport gift shop. I could not resist the giraffes! And I love the shoulder strap.
Now. . . back to the ad.
Isn’t that the cutest tote bag?!? And orange is one of my favorite colors!
What’s that? Do you hear music? The voices are so beautiful! “Dawn-n-n. . .
Grandawn - Aging Semi-Gracefully 
Step away from the tote bags! : )
Great post.
I love totes
And totes with zebras (giraffes are a close second)
I’ve added you to my blog roll and subscribed. Your posts are lively and entertaining.
Nice!
Exactly! Looky, but no touchy.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so glad you enjoy!
I love tote bags too and you have some beauties.
My best one was given to me by a friend, you can fit a 12″x 12″ Photo album inside. I almost feel to sorry to use it 😉
Here is a picture of it: http://tinyurl.com/22nxudu
I love your Song interludes.
Take care.
Your tote bag is beautiful! Thanks for sharing the photo.
I’m glad you like the song interludes. 🙂 Many times I’ll be talking, and something said makes me think of a song.
LOL… brilliant… I too can’t resist the call of the free… which means I need to keep on working so that I can support all the “free” things I have to buy… *giggle*
It’s amazing how much those “free” things cost, isn’t it?
*Cin pats grandawn on the back* Welcome to the club…
I’m so glad to know that you are a member of the club. HeeHeeHee
I agree that, although I have large ones, handbags aren’t always the answer. Mine double as my medicine chest, filing cabinet, etc. etc. I now have my first tote bag acquired a couple of months ago.
Congratulations on your first tote bag. They are the answer when a handbag just isn’t enough.
The word FREE would have caught MY eye!!!
For a moment there I thought you had been to Africa.
Actually, the word FREE caught my eye at the same time as the tote bag – “heaven” is a free tote bag. HeeHeeHee
With teachers….it’s a disease…..tote-bagitis……I have so many I think they should start a tote-bags anonymous club. I hide them, store yarn in them, stack them up to try to disguise how many I have. It’s embarrassing!
That’s what it is! All those years of teaching – I developed the disease.
Thanks for a good chuckle! We all have our obsessions and I love tote bags too so I’m happy that it is politically correct now to haul an armful of them to the grocery store to use in place of their paper or plastic bags. I can then walk out sporting my Cruise Lines totes, my precious Scottie Dog totes,my Artsy Fartsy totes, etc! LOL
Yes! My long time obsession is now politically correct. Hurray!