I have carried this checkbook cover with me every day…for nearly 28 years. It has a beauty and a patina all its own.

In a time when everyone is trying to sell you on something (and not always telling the whole truth) the packaging on these goods struck me as refreshing and striking in their default to simplicity. The Emergency Drinking Water is from WWII, I believe, so not exactly available.

So, I digress for a moment into the land of the product pitch. Want the proper tool for the job? Then ditch all those fancy-ass dish towels in favor of these thirsty little monsters. I take pleasure in pairing the ideal tool with whatever task is at hand (makes life that much simpler), and I am driven to proselytize when I do.

I love Swedish Fish (pastellfiskar), but am moderate in my intake. However, not so with this Swedish Lip Balm. I’m told that “hudsalva forsvarets” literally means military skin cream. The packaging is austere and promises nothing other than what it is. One can purchase it online from http://www.apoteket.se. Follow these directions for ordering, unless you’re lucky enough to be able to read Swedish.

My plastic bags were a crumpled mess before my friend Keiko taught me how to fold them properly. Life is somehow a little better now knowing that my bags are all in little triangles. Thank you Keiko.