Y’all probably know I’ve only ever owned one purse, and I didn’t own it until two years ago when I found the Saddle Purse calling to me from a shelf in an airport shop. I rarely use it—except when we go out on the town, and we haven’t really done that since the pandemic started almost a year ago. I guess I should have known the Saddle Purse would start to feel neglected.
It usually sits in the loft underneath my writing desk, but this morning it greeted me from our dining table downstairs. I approached it slowly, since it doesn’t usually travel throughout the house by itself. I noticed a Hanukkah Bow Tie o’ the Day atop it. I noticed the neckband of a brass band Bow Tie o’ the Day dribbling out from inside. I felt comfortable enough to open the Saddle Purse, and —SURPRISE!—out popped ten more Bow Ties o’ the Day. I felt kinda bad to think the Saddle Purse felt like it had to fill itself with neckwear in order to get my attention. But I guess it did. I’ll do better about paying attention to ALL of my stewardships.
And there’s more! When I opened up the Saddle Purse’s teeny saddlebag, I discovered my purse knows me so well. To feel useful, a saddlebag needs to hold something. Nestled in the saddlebag was a pepperminty Bow Tie o’ the Day lapel pin.
Holiday Tie Tally: 129 Neckties. 55 Bow Ties. And a lapel pin on a pear tree—er, in a saddlebag.