Life's a Stitch

Remember when you could take more than one piece of luggage on a plane, sans fee, prior to the degeneration of policies that limits you to one checked piece totalling 50 pounds for $25? If you fly Allegient, the used-to-be cheap West Coast airline to sunny climes, you now pay $35 for even carry on.

I'm not known for packing lightly. On a recent trip of three weeks, I weighed what I didn't wear, and it came to 8 pounds. My New Year's resolution, and promise to my not-so-luggage-inclined-spouse, was to buy a smaller, lighter suitcase. Costco cooperated and I've been given a chance to prove my new ability.

I did great with 36 pounds for a two week trip. But herein lies the problem. Mail order. For some reason, shipping costs to Canada plus applicable taxes and duties, make mail order an exorbitant proposition. The end result is shipping those items to my vacation destination, resulting in extra poundage on the return flight. In the meantime I'm gratefully saved by Blogless Marsha, whose home serves as my shipping depot in between trips. 

And then there's shopping. My knitting souvenir purchase was Madelinetosh Pashmina, go figure, in the Magnolia Leaf colourway. My 6th Clapotis-to-be?