Hello!

Yup. I’ve been more than just a tad intense with my previous blog posts. And why yes… I’m absolutely intense on side EXCEPT I also love to be goofy and silly. It’s honestly so much fun. So, I’m also going to share this side of me too.

How come?

Boxes are for shoes rather than people

And here’s something that you may not know: I’m a former sorority girl with Kappa Alpha Theta. I decided to join to see for myself what the sorority is all about instead of relying on what other people tell me. As I’ve met some amazing women through that organization, I feel blessed. If you see the black “clutch” purse with the bronze clip, it looks like my formal purses during that time. Yup. I carried thrift store vintage purses while wearing fishnet stockings with my Doc Marten boots for our formal events. Total contrast to the other gals. This was at the University of Montana back in the 90s long before this kind of dressing would be considered acceptable. But? I did it anyway.

That brown purse looking like it’s been to Hell and back? My current purse that’s about to get cleaned and donated cuz it’s served its purpose. But dude? It’s heavy and too tempting to fill up with pens. As a writer, I looooooooooooooooooooooove pens. I’ve somehow managed to get something like 20 pens in purse. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. These are mostly my own pens from the dollar store since writing brings me joy. So, I need to be prepared when the urge strikes me at any moment.

Although to handwrite has calmed once I started writing emails to myself on my cell phone. And if the writing is longer than I want to type? Voice memos all the way. So… It’s okay to let this purse be rehoused in a new forever home or possibly just the next step on its journey.

The silver beaded purse? I just got in Vegas. If a girl is going to buy a purse in Vegas? Bling all the way!! Is it practical like that middle one? No way in Hell. Do I still love it? You bet your sweet ass cuz it’s fancy!! And it’s just what I need for a night on the town or even just for fun.

And now… The black beaded purse that looks worse from wear. I want to figure out how to clean the fabric without destroying it. A former student of mine gave it to me. I was an English as a Second Language tutor to him. He had come over from China to live with his oldest son upon retiring. I wasn’t that great of a tutor since I was just starting out. But I did do one thing well: showed up consistently.

My student was old enough that he experienced Mao Zedong stripping his family of their belongings to be redistributed for the “greater good.” Yes. Quotes cuz Mao’s idea of the “greater good” is horrific. He told me about this when we were starting the Iraq War with his rudimentary English. And his heart felt words rocked me to my core. This is why I have continued to hold onto this purse despite having lived in four different states and Mexico the country since receiving it.

I know! I know! I know! I dipped into the intense while talking about purses of all things for one specific reason: People matter to me. Sure. Most folks are rough around the edges. Me too. Cuz really? Getting through life is hard. I’m also grateful for the hardness AND for the little sparkle that caught my eye.

Happy Monday!!

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