A View of the Valley

by Linda Schwanke In his column last week, Many Thoughts for Many Reasons, Bob Charley suggested that women (ladies) stop carrying purses in public at the advice of presumably the police. Purse snatchings are up in our country, he said, and we should keep our keys, credit cards and cell phones out of sight in our pockets. It ended, “Leave your lip stick in the car. Give this advice to all your purse carrying friends.” As much as I love Bob, let me say that his advice is a little ridiculous. For one thing, unless we are wearing a coat or jacket, women’s clothes don’t usually have many pockets. If they do have pockets that aren’t fake, as in the case of jeans (which for many of us after the pandemic baking frenzies don’t fit anymore) they aren’t really that large. And a phone and keys will ruin the line of said clothes. So here’s my advice: go shopping with a guy, preferably your husband or son. Make sure they are wearing cargo pants or shorts and have them carry your stuff. After all, most of us have spent half our lives carrying their crap in our purses. How many times has the man/ men in your life said “honey, would you just put my wallet in your purse?” Son Bill would have me carry sticks and rocks and god knows what all. Even my dad asked me on more than one occasion to carry his cigars in my purse. Now it’s their turn. Fill their pockets with all the stuff you need to survive when on an excursion out into the world. (I’m pretty sure lipstick is low on that list.) It’s not like most of us carry huge bags because we want to. (This isn’t entirely true. There are some really cute big handbags that I drool over.) They are really hard on your back and shoulders. A woman on the move needs a certain amount of stuff. Tissues, bandages, hand sanitizer, wipes, a little sewing kit, so much random stuff because you just never know what you’ll need… When you have a kid too big for a diaper bag but too small to carry their own stuff, you need snacks and a bottle of water. Spare masks are included these days.  I remember, years ago, hubby Jim and I took the kids to Chicago on spring break. They were maybe four and six. We made the round of the museums, zoos and parks, probably packing too much into too few days. I had a big purse so I could carry all the things we needed. Son Bill got completely worn out and at one point at the Shedd Aquarium Jim and I took turns carrying him because I was not strong enough to carry a kid and a bag that weighed as much as the kid. (Where was the stroller, you may ask? Bill somehow convinced us he was too big for a stroller. Dah.) After that little adventure, I switched to carrying a backpack on family trips and not just because Jim looked a little silly carrying my purse which he honestly has never complained about.  Really though, it is a good idea to be safe. If you haven’t got a guy handy to carry all the stuff figure out how to get by without your purse. I tend to carry my phone in my bra because I tend not to have pockets to carry it in. (It has never crossed my mind to not carry my phone every minute of every day.) That’s fine at home but a little weird in public. A small wristlet that you can fit your phone, credit card and keys in that fits your hand after you’ve put it on your wrist is a simple thing to find. I got a really cute one at Nina’s a few years ago that I love to carry. Keep your purse, filled with all your traveling household belongings, in the trunk of your car or stuff it under the seat. Don’t leave it on the front passenger seat because that’s an invitation for a break-in. Why a thief would steal a bag filled with anything and everything but cash I don’t know. But it’s better to be safe than sorry that someone took your spare mask and a bag of fruit snacks. Stay in touch. My number is (608) 574-3159. Email me at homenewseditor@newspubinc.com or write to me at the Home News, P.O. Box 39, Spring Green WI 53588.  The news deadline is 12 noon on Mondays.  Visit our website at homenewsrv.com for answers to all your questions about the Home News. Get in touch with Gwen for sports or features at homenewssports@newspubinc.com. If you need a display ad, Dave Pronold can be reached at homenewssales@newspubinc.com or by calling him on his cell at (608) 588-4777. Display ads, or ads that are in boxes, are due by 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. The classified ad deadline is noon Thursdays the week prior to publication for both the Buyer’s Guide and Home News. Classified rates are $13 for the first 10 words, then 30¢ per word for each additional word. Call (608) 767-3655 or email classifieds@newspubinc.com  Legal notices are due by 2 p.m. on Fridays, email them to legals@newspubinc.com Call the NewsPub central office at (608) 767-3655 for subscriptions and all other information Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, although afternoon hours can vary. Closed Fridays.