| Everywhere I look, there's an article warning about shortages due to supply chain issues, but so far, I've been lucky. And in terms of grocery items I can't find, they fall more under the category of "annoying" vs. being a problem. |
| Says the woman who always has extras of everything. Well, have you done your Thanksgiving dinner shopping yet? Be prepared. They are predicting increased prices on everything. |
| I know, I've seen those articles. And the ones telling people to shop early for Christmas. But the recent article in The Wall Street Journal, "Even Hermès Shoppers Can't Escape the Supply-Chain Crunch," made me roll my eyes. |
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| I am speechless. Not because there are shortages of Hermès products, as it has always been a challenge to buy their handbags, especially the Birkin bags, which are always in short supply and have a long waiting list. But, because you are finally reading the business section. |
| Actually, there was a teaser on the front page that caught my eye. It made me think of your collection of Hermès bags. And, of course, my "50th birthday" Birkin bag, as I can only imagine how far in advance you must have ordered it. But although I know it may be one of the most expensive gifts you've ever given me (the Jaguar when I moved back to the States decades ago still takes first place), it's also one of my most treasured ones. But it has nothing to do with exclusivity or price. |
| For me, the expression on your face when they put the big orange box in front of you in the middle of the Houston Hermès store was worth every penny. |
| There's just something about those orange boxes that I love, but it's so much more than that. Maybe it's because Hermès items are so classic and timeless. Decades ago, when I was living in Hong Kong, I was going through Singapore airport, and there was an Hermès shop in Duty-Free. That's when I got my Hermès watch, which I still wear to this day. |
| And, almost every day. So, on a cost per wearing that watch was a bargain. Unlike the similar one I gave Mom on a milestone birthday years ago that she has only worn a few times. I have one of them too, and although it is not one of the more expensive ones in my watch collection, it is still one of my favorites. |
| Except ours aren't 14-karat gold. Regardless, it's literally a timepiece that's timeless. But although I love the few Hermès things I have, including the red and white bracelet you got me years ago, and how each item makes me smile for the memories of when and how I received them, they're not items I'd think about when it comes to the impact of supply chain issues. Hence my eye-rolling when I saw the article. |
| For you, Hermès has provided a "supply" of wonderful memories. For me, merely collectible "things". |
New Year’s Eve is one of those nights (Black calls them “forced” celebrations) that often have great expectations attached to it. Many people make a big deal of it, but we prefer a lowkey approach, making the evening “special” by spending it with special people – for Red, her daughters, and for Black, close friends.
Some years it can be a bittersweet celebration (if loved ones have passed or no longer live close to home), but that can remind you of what’s most important.
So, let’s all toast to the promise and hope of a new year … and to champagne and toilet paper.
| New Year's Eve seems like the perfect time to stroll down memory lane, although I'm guessing your memories are much more interesting than mine. |
| "Interesting" is a subjective word. Regardless, are you talking about memories in general? Or, New Year's Eve celebrations? |
| Actually, it was just a passing comment. But since you've always seemed to make a bigger deal out of New Year's Eve than I have, are there any years that really stand out? |
| Truth is the most memorable ones are the ones spent with celebrating with closest friends versus crowds. In fact, I think I have spent more than half of my New Year's Eves with John and Diana. Although, I will never forget bringing in 2000. |
| Oh, this should be interesting. Where were you? What did you do? |
| I do not remember the details. But, I do remember everyone was panicked about Y2K. In fact, for almost the entire year leading up to it, people were certain it would create havoc with computers and computer networks. It turned out to be a non-event. |
| That's it? I thought you were going to talk about some major celebration to mark the turn of the century. |
| No, although not always successful, I always tried to avoid major celebrations. Anyway, 1999 was when I was collecting wine and many of us were certain there would be a shortage of vintage Champagne. And before you ask, vintage Champagne means it is made with grapes from a single year's harvest which happens only three or four times in a decade. |
| Was 1999 one of those years? |
| I will not bore you with the details, but Champagne is aged in the bottle (vintage for significantly longer than non-vintage releases) so it was from earlier in the decade. Anyway, collectors starting buying large quantities of vintage Champagne, which can last decades when stored properly, thinking it was "now or never" … |
| I know better than to ask how much you bought. |
| Enough to last a lifetime. Maybe two lifetimes. Which was a good thing as I lost most of it in the divorce. Anyway, the interesting thing was that because so many wine collectors were stocking up on vintage Champagne, the shortage became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Similar to when people were hoarding toilet paper. |
| Only you would compare the two. One's a luxury item and one's a necessity you'll ultimately use. I guess the good news though is that now you'll never run out of Champagne. |
| Except, my offsite wine storage was broken into years ago – and they stole all the Champagne. Good news is John and Diana still have their stash. |
| So, are you going to spend New Year's Eve with them? |
| Not the entire evening, but the three of us plan to toast love, friendship, and the end of 2020 … with masks, social distance, and some vintage Champagne. |