Most people, going on vacation, our granddaughter observed as she helped unload our car on our arrival at the cottage we rent for a week each year in the Waterville Valley, simply pack clothing for the occasion. We, on the other hand, concentrate on utility and creature comforts.

Although the cottage comes fully equipped with linens, fresh towels provided daily, the kitchen with cleaning and paper products, dishes, pots and pans and other utensils, we prefer to bring along our own, used for that specific purpose, once or twice yearly as the mood takes us to get away. We bring our own dishes, tumblers, utility knives and flatware, cooking pans and food grater, cutting board, bakeware, and sleeping pillows.

Oh yes, the necessary clothing as well, needless to say. I did manage to forbear mentioning to her that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, given that she had packed for her use, hiking boots (as instructed), casual runners, and at least eight pair of showy sandals, along with a large suitcase full of clothing that would, we knew, be supplemented by new clothing, and new sandals, as soon as the opportunity presented to do some fashion shopping.

On the positive side of the ledger, the most popular destination for her shopping pleasure when we weren't out hiking on some mountain trail, was a well-stocked independent bookstore where she discovered the titles and authors she was hoping to find, and came away with heavy bags-full of new reading material, vital to her well-being.