Dear Reader Column 09-30-08

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Dear Reader,

How am I going to decide what to pack the next time I have to fly? I'm not planning a trip any time soon, but for some reason when I woke up this morning I started worrying about the consequences of the new airline baggage rules.

For me, the consequences are huge.

Psychologically it's going to be a real challenge to travel light. I realize there are much bigger problems in the world, and some enterprising companies even offer possible packing solutions, like mix-and-match outfits for traveling. But those "never wrinkle, must-haves for the seasoned traveler," none of that stuff has ever been in my suitcase and probably never will be.

Traveling for me means going to the prom--especially when I'm flying to New York City. A chance to get dressed up, to wear one of those cute little numbers from the "New York side" of my closet, where shoes and accessories have been carefully selected for a finite, finished look, each outfit pre-choreographed and prom-worthy. But I fear these new baggage rules and charges are going to leave me feeling "stood-up" at my next prom.

I look forward to going to the prom because this writer's every day wardrobe consists of a T-shirt and a cotton skirt, or a T-shirt and crop pants. Sometimes I never even get out of my pajamas and other days I recycle, because I can't wait to get to my laptop, so I can pick up the story where I left off yesterday--and if yesterday was a particularly great writing day--I grab yesterday's skirt hoping for a repeat performance.

Other days even though I start the day dressed, if I'm having trouble writing the least little bit of irritation can drive me crazy. So piece-by-piece I get rid of irritations--and you get the picture--it's simply easier and roomier to wear my nightgown. But I do throw a color coordinated T-shirt over the top, so I look presentable just in case the doorbell rings.

In the past my dear husband has been a "packer-enabler." Whenever I worried I might be taking too many pieces of luggage, he lovingly said it didn't matter. But now even he admits I might need a packing alternative and he suggested this idea: mix clothes with cookies. When I fly to New York I ship bags of chocolate chip cookies, so they're waiting for me when I arrive at my hotel. (I take a bag of cookies along to every one of my appointments.) Maybe there's room in that cookie shipment for a few prom clothes? Publishers love it when I hand them a bag of homemade cookies, so I'm sure they wouldn't mind if I showed up smelling like a chocolate chip cookie, too.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
mailto:Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

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Comments

[Sharon]

(I hope you don't get this twice; there was an "error"!)
I'm of no help. I pack and take everything I want, in case I might need it. (of course I never need it all!) Sometimes I even take the cat! That's why I drive everywhere I go. Perhaps you could save for the extra baggage fees, or your husband could take less. And I suggest, never, never, never scrimp on CC cookies.

See, I'm of no help!