Do it! DO IT NOW!

I have come late to the re-usable bag trend and I think that's mainly because I grew up resisting the hippie label. Of course, the bitch of that being that I turned out to sort of BE a hippie. My hair isn't just long and straight, I also compost. I. compost. Hello, I compost. My name is Hope. I also bring my own bag to the grocery store. But I promise to shower and some other type A qualities.

For Christmas a friend of mine sent me a re-usable bag (Hi Miriam!) which is what finally tottered me over the edge. Up until then I'd sort of meant to get one but had always balked at the ugly supermarket kind. This one though, oh this one had the word HOPE emblazoned on the side so I was all, conservation you lovely thing you. I carried it around town for a few weeks until someone stole it. No, actually I think I left it somewhere or just plain old lost it but it made me feel better for a few seconds to blame it on someone else. (Hey Kerby, didn't you once say something about transfer of blame on a facebook status? The brain, it comes and goes these days.)

EEEEnyway, I finally got me a new one just the other day! It folds into a cute little square that hangs in my kitchen, advertising the fact that Hello my name is Hope and I CARE. MORE THAN YOU. Then it unfolds into a gigantic bag in which you can store things like elephant heads or what not. KIDDING. I would never carry around an elephant head, see above comments about CARING AND STUFF. Whew, this post is totally getting away from me and I swear I'm not drinking. Much.

But what I probably love best about this bag is that it reads as a command. It doesn't ASK you to re-use bags for your shopping trips. Bitch! It TELLS you. (As an aside, my mother and I were just talking about using bad language the other day and I think I referenced how I didn't curse much. Uuuum. At least not out loud. This is my safe, cussing space. Thanks for understanding mom.)

Comments

[Sarah S.]

I have 10 of the Publix bags. I LOVE them. They are amazing because their handles are long enough for you to carry the bag on your shoulder. I can make it in the house normally on one trip, two bags on each shoulder. That is the main reason I love the reusable bag. That and I look uber environmetally friendly when I carry them around. People stop and say "man, that lady doesn't look like a hippie, she doesn't stink of patchouli, but look, she's carrying those reusable bags, and her baby is wearing cloth diapers!" Always keep them guessing Hope, ALWAYS.

[Nancy]

You are not a hippie, Hope. They all moved to Floyd County, VA. If my husband carries reusable bags, they are officially mainstream.

[Hope Sypert]

Haaaaa. I love how the google ad on the left says "recycled fabrics made into great bags"!

Oh yes Sarah. Clean hair? Re-usable bag? WHAT?

I agree they are mainstream by now. And I love having one. It's just sometimes, if my 15 year old self could see me now, eating my words on so many subjects from baby to bags to many other preconceived notions.

[The Mom]

Safe, cussing space? For Truett, yes, since he can't read. For you? Not so much, since it is available to all and you are seen through this lens in part. Sort of like cussing in public in the grocery store as you walk out with your terrific "re-use this bag" bag. Quite the juxtaposition! Not that there is anything wrong with that. Just saying...

Hey, you did invoke my name, so I have to answer!

[Hope Sypert]

Was I meant to follow that, mom?

[The Mom]

Follow, as in follow up with a comment, or follow as in understand? I just mean a blog is as public a place as a grocery store, so what you would say in the one, you would presumably feel comfortable saying in the other.

[Hope Sypert]

Oh but see I'm behind a computer so I'm safe, see? CAN SAY ANYTHING.

[KH]

Hope, you are a hippie, and it isn't because you compost.