The Front Page of Issue 7

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MerriMail Issue Seven Sneak Peek

It's In the Bag!

Your Gift - Jute Tote Bag from HomArt

In her 2000 hit "Bag Lady," Erykah Badu encourages women to embrace love and let go of their baggage - grocery bags, Gucci bags, paper bags, plastic bags, garbage bags. The list goes on and on. In the 2007 Wes Anderson film Darjeeling Limited, three brothers take a spiritual journey through India, lugging their one-of-a-kind Louis Vuitton luggage along the way.

As we explore bags in this issue, we give you this beautiful jute tote bag adorned with cheery cherry blossoms. Bags can represent many different things in our lives - the epitome of luxury with Judith Leiber's designs; the calming comfort of breathing in paper bags; the environmental movement away from disposable bags; new bags that signify life changes, like a baby; luggage that comforts and dignifi es foster children; or baggage that we simply need to release in the journal jot activity.

We are excited to tell the story of a historical figure who persisted with her dreams to bring beauty and ceremony to our nation's capital with a treasure we continue to celebrate today - the sakura, or the blossoming cherry tree. Her determination is certainly inspiring.

Finally, we are saddened to share that this is our last MerriMail issue. We thank you for being a part of this wonderful journey with us. We also share with you ways to follow our next steps along the glorious path of life!

Be Merri,

In This Issue

Your Gift :: The Jute Tote

We received a complimentary golden jute tote in the summer of 2006 on our first shopping expedition for MerriMail. Since then I've been asked by everyone, where did you get your bag? It's pretty enough to carry for all your errands. Grab it as you walk out the door, leaving enough room to use it as your shopping bag. Simply do your part for the environment by telling clerks that you don't need a bag. The long handles are easy to carry over your shoulder. When filled with heavier items, the wooden handles allow for greater control.

Back HomArt

If you'll recall, your last gift of the water carafe was also created by HomArt. Our gift selection process usually starts with our gut. We looked at our previous gifts, which have been a balance of consumable and keepsake items. This time, we knew wanted to give you a gift that was beautiful and useful. A tote was a simple choice that we hope you enjoy.

Inspired by California living and architecture, HomArt presents a collection of hand-finished home accessories that forge a contemporary link with California's romantic past. This exclusive range of refined yet affordable home accessories is created for everyday use from all-natural, recycled, and new materials, simply and tastefully designed to comfortably mix with any décor. Showing the handwork of skilled craftsmen, the HomArt collection evokes the warmth and serenity of a less hurried era.

To view and purchase additional original HomArt designs, visit www.areohome.com or call 1-888-814-7988.

Mellow Yellow?

Have you noticed a lot of this lemon curry color lately? Learn about the power of Leatrice Eiseman, the Director of the Pantone Color Institute.







In the cherry blossom's shade there's no such thing as a stranger.

Issa

An American Love Affair

Hundreds of thousands of people travel to Washington, DC to celebrate the blooming of the cherry trees around the perimeter of the monument-lined tidal basin. The sakura, or cherry trees, were a gift of friendship to the United States from the people of Japan in 1912.

This generous gift was preceded by twenty-four years of persistent annual requests for the cherry tress by Ms. Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore. In 1885, she first contacted the Superintendent of the National Park Service to share her dream of cherry trees along the Potomac River.

In 1909, Scidmore decided to raise money to purchase the trees and donate them to the city. As part of the process, she wrote a letter outlining her plan to First Lady Helen Herron Taft, who had lived in Japan and also loved cherry trees. The next day, Taft happened to be meeting with Dr. Jokichi Takamine, the Japanese chemist who discovered adrenaline. After discussing the new plan, he offered to donate 2,000 trees as a gift to the United States from Tokyo. However the trees arrived to the US infected in 1910 and were later destroyed. Takamine and Yukio Ozaki, the Mayor of Tokyo, did not give up.

Japan delivered 3,020 cherry trees to Washington, DC, on March 26, 1912. The first two trees were planted the following day in a private ceremony by Taft and the Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese Ambassador. The two original cherry trees are still standing today.

Paper or Plastic?

NEITHER! - Bring Your Own Bag

Read startling facts about how plastic bags affect on our environment.

The End of the Bag as We Know It?

Learn more about laws surrounding plastic shopping bags.

Reduce Reuse Recycle

Understand the recycling symbol's hierarchy.


Judith Leiber's Artistic Crystal Creations

Every First Lady since Mamie Eisenhower has clutched a customized Judith Leiber design on Inauguration Day. Leiber's dynamic creations are the symbol of ultimate luxury, embodying her well-known saying: "All a girl needs to carry is a lipstick, handkerchief and a $100 bill."

A Look Inside the Medicine Bag

Chicago-based writer Christopher Weber takes a lookg at how folding bags have made noteworthy contributions to medicine. Chris writes frequently about health and healthcare, examining medical issues through the eyes of ordinary folks. He is currently developing extended projects on cancer culture and on alternative medicine.

Not Just Swag... Mama's Got a Brand New (Diaper Bag)

Discover a new use for untraditional Mad Libs in very unexpected places.

Fighting Baggy Eyes

Learn a few tips for fighting baggy eyes.

Suitcases for Kids

Aubyn Burnside, of Hickory, NC, was ten years old when she heard an alarming statistic about foster children. They are likely to move more than four times a year, carrying their sole possessions in a trash bag. She said, "I thought it was horrible that the children had nothing to carry their things in as they moved so many times. I wanted to make them feel special by giving them something of their own to keep. I tried to put myself in their place and think how I would feel."

Her first delivery was 175 suitcases to NC's Catawba County s foster children. Today Suitcases for Kids has active chapters in all 50 states and in several foreign countries. Aubyn has received national recognition for her efforts by collecting tens of thousands of suitcases and duffel bags, while training others to do the same.

Aubyn hopes donating luggage will become automatic, like recycling paper. You can help by donating directly to local foster services, starting your own chapter, or visiting suitcasesforkids.org.

Bag It! {Negative Thoughts, Positive Affirmations}

Do you avoid following a dream or doing something you like because of your negative thoughts? "I would love to belly dance, but my belly is too fat." "I want to be a painter, but I'm not good enough." "I fantasize about my own clothing line, but none of my ideas are original enough." Use this exercise to help change your thought patterns.

Resources

Blog Updates for Issue Seven

Check out the latest updates and join our online conversations related to topics covered in Issue Seven.

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