“Once upon a time there were three little foxes Who didn’t wear stockings, and they didn’t wear sockses, But they all had handkerchiefs to blow their noses, And they kept their handkerchiefs in cardboard boxes.” – A. A. Milne
The men in our family have always carried handkerchiefs. Not the fancy silk models perfectly placed to impress, but the functional variety kept at the ready for work.
These simple squares of fabric offer more than the obvious benefits. They can hold back your wife’s tears at a wedding, clean ice cream off a grandchild’s cheek, and polish your glasses – as well as make-do as a sling, tourniquet, bandage, signal flag, washcloth. It’s a long list.
Mine was always washed, ironed, and folded then waiting next to my lunch box so I would’t forget either as I set off on my walk to school.
My mother had installed this ritual for my life the day she caught dad without his at church. Dad and his friends were visiting under a tree when he needed to blow his nose. I’d seen him do it before, he pressed the outside of his thumb against one nostril, tilted his head, then blew.
“K.B. – that’s disgusting,” were her words as she headed for the car. She added, “How could you forget?”
From then on, a handkerchief was now placed on my list of required essentials for any gentleman, along with my wallet, keys, and a pocketknife.
Later, the white permanent-press phase began as ironing was too big a chore for this guy on the move.
Now, in retirement, some of my old childhood bandanas are back. I don’t iron them like mom would have done, but at least they’re clean, folded, and ready.
Last month, while taking a nap, one of the oldest and most cherished fell out on my sofa. When I woke and saw it there I had this crazy idea. I smoothed it out and laid it over the throw pillow I’d never liked. It was perfect,
I could recover the pillow plus brighten the room, all with old childhood bandanas and their memories.
The folks at the shop, where I went for help, had never seen anything like “that” done before. Their customers wanted fancy fabric with fringe and tassels, not old bandanas.
“Too thin and faded,” was their verdict after a thorough examination. They needed something stronger for this job.
Google found my Hav-A-Hanks and now in even more colors than I remember. I ordered too many perhaps, but at just a few bucks a pop, I got carried away.
Now I have a bonus. I’ll get to redecorate more often. Using two at a time, I can change with the seasons. Red and green for Christmas, pink and blue come out in the Spring, earth tones for Fall … Voila … a new room with just a flip and a flop.
See what you started dad? If you had followed the rules, with your handkerchief ready that Sunday, all this would have never happened.
I’d be just another guy taking a tissue from his wife’s bag or cleaning his smudged glasses with his tie.
What’s in your pockets? Do you have a check list before leaving the house?
Tell me what you carry? And not just you guys, what do you gals carry in those big bags?
As always, the conversation starts here.
Epilogue
In this classic short, you’ll find a use for a handkerchief that was not on my list. Take a look at what Spanky and Alfalfa came up with.
In addition to — of course! — keys, wallet and cellphone, my “must-haves” do indeed include a handkerchief or a couple of tissues, but also my penknife, a ballpoint pen, and — if I’m wearing a suit or sportcoat — even one of the colorful silk pocket squares you disparaged (smile), coordinated with my necktie. After all, I teach design and AM a designer.
Loyd –
In the case of a design professional the pocket square is allowed, especially when coordinated with a necktie (but that’s another garment I will disparage on another day).
There is one set of items I’ve added. I now carry a pen and paper as my mind does not have the space it did when younger.
Thanks for your comment and for wearing your Brand so effectively. You set a fine example for your lucky students.
– Bruce
Not necessarily in my pocketbook, but at least in the car…….Comb and lipstick 💄water🥤..
……..(.trying to de-clutter my pocketbook, too. To much stuff in that as well as my🏠)
M.D. –
Thanks for your comment. I’m also trying to drink more water and decluttering is important. As for the comb and lipstick, I’ll leave those with you. HaHa
– Bruce
Well I don’t have Loyd’s design or class so mine is always in my back right pocket and is always just plain boring white. But along with the pocket knife & pen I never go out the door without them.
Richard –
It sounds like you are well prepared. Why not add some color by leaving your boring white at home? That’s why I’ve chosen colorful bandanas. They’re as good as plain white, plus they let me be more like Loyd (without the tie).
– Bruce
Most things I carry in my Shoulder Bag – which my kids used to call Dad’s Purse. However, in my pockets are my little all day pill box – and oh yeah, my handkerchief.
(Loved the school kids video)
Jack –
I’m glad you liked the Little Rascals. Every “Our Gang” episode brings a smile to my face.
I’m also glad your handkerchief is in your pocket and not in the shoulder bag, Handkerchiefs are like Boy Scouts, they should, Be Prepared.
– Bruce
What you use for a handkerchief, my mom called a bandana. She taught Lyns and I that it was a key travel accessory. Tie one to your boring black suitcase to make it easily identifiable. In a pinch, a bandana can serve as a tourniquet, washcloth, hand towel or even toilet paper. I always have one with me when I run, to wipe the sweat from my brow or catch a runny nose in winter. Love how you turned yours into pillows!
Leigh Ann – Your mother did right by the Smith girls. Yes, bandanas have many more uses than a simple white handkerchief, and they last longer than a flimsy tissue. I need to remember her luggage ID tag idea, that’s been missing from my list. I don’t run as much as I once did, but I never carried a bandana. In the winter my sleeve was my solution for a runny nose, then in summer my shirt tail took care of the sweat. And yes, if need be, I would use my dad’s method when I needed to blow (always… Read more »