Anyway, I hadn't used it since before I moved to Washington- because really, who needs that much parka when it's constantly 45 degrees in the winter? When I reached into a pocket, I found a list I wrote some time during grad school, with reminders for friends' birthdays, a voice recital, and a semi-cryptic line about "change money." Into what? I don't remember.
As I delved deeper into the Dewey Parka Pockets, layers of my life were revealed in strata of folded paper and assorted detritus. The tour itinerary for my trip with Ole Choir to the ACDA National Convention in Chicago, 1999 (playing English horn in the accompanying chamber orchestra, mind you); a freebie Chicago Symphony Orchestra/ACDA pen; an invitation to a Philharmonia pizza party, with chocolate heart still taped to it; three cough drops; St. Olaf January Music Calendar, 1998-1999; a receipt for gas at $1.39 a gallon; grade report card for English 399: Major Seminar (I got an A-; no idea what class that was); a carefully folded piece of notebook paper w/ nothing on it; half a peanut.
What does all this tell me, archaeologist of my former self? First of all, I was a pocket pack rat. Moving cross-country a few times has lessened that quite a bit. What else? Studying and playing music was a huge part of my everyday life. Playing still has some part in my life, but the more valuable thing I gained from all that college music majorism was the friendships- people like the ones I spent last Saturday night with, playing Mexican train dominoes and catching up (hi girls!!). What else does the DewPock tell me? I liked peanuts. Still do. I think the blank paper was just in case I had something to write, but I never used it. Looking down into the pockets of my past, I should have. I should have used those cough drops, and eaten the chocolate, and filled the paper up with thoughts and random quotes and doodles, instead of saving them for Just In Case. I should have eaten that peanut.
2 comments:
aaaaawwww...shucks:)
Such a cute picture! I don't have anything with wolf fur, but I've felt it and it's wonderful. Come to think of it, I've felt it on a live wolf, too, be he and I agreed that he ought to keep it. ;) I'll show you the picture sometime. I do have a rabbit fur lined hat and it's absolutely wonderful. Many thanks to the little creature who sacrificed for me.
My brother sometimes forgets money in his good clothes when he puts them away, then gets a pleasant surprise the next time he dresses up. He refers to it as the Wardrobe Savings Plan, or the Pocket Lottery.
Most importantly, like you said- Carpe diem: Enjoy the peanuts and the chocolate whenever life gives them to you, and definitely write down (or perhaps :) blog) your thoughts and random quotes. Future you will thank you for it.
And did I mention what a cute picture that is? Yes? OK, I'll quit rambling now.
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