I'm a bit of a saver. Not an obsessive pack rat per se, but someone who sees the value in many things and strives to maintain their usefulness for as long as possible. My father-in-law (a child of the depression) lived a life of leading by example in this "repurposing" artform - e.g: replacing an aging window in the beach house with one that he found in a dumpster at a nearby job site (using a chainsaw to customize the opening - by the way).
As one who also ascribes to this "re-purposing" philosophy, that mindset finds its way into many of my everyday situations. For example, in my humble opinion, expiration dates on food products are merely a suggestion. Of course, if the lettuce is brown in the pre-mixed Caesar salad kit, then it should not be eaten. But a bottle of mustard whose "Best by . . ." date is five years hence, then what's another month or two or twelve? The manufacturer's labeling of something as "disposable" is their plot to perpetuate purchasing. Mindful usage of many products (perishable, electronic, clothing, etc.) can exponentially extend their existence. I find it a personal life challenge to defeat the nefarious designs of planned obsolescence.
As part of this crusade, I have conscientiously held the belief, long before it was fashionable, that plastic bags (grocery, zip or otherwise) are made to be reused. Plastic grocery bags (providing they have no holes in the bottom), can be used for more tasks than I could possibly list here. Even paper grocery bags (some of you may remember those things) are ideal for anything from book covers to Postal Service-approved parcel wrapping. And zip-lock bags - don't get me started.
So what deserves a "second life" more than the transport bags I have been receiving over the years that carry the various at-home chemo pills which are a critical part of my ongoing maintenance regimen? The contents of these bags have in essence given me a second life, so it is only fair that I do my small part to return the favor - and give them a second life (and then some). They are sturdy, conveniently sized, and serve as a constant reminder of just how lucky I am. And besides, using them to hold my yogurt or sandwich successfully deterred co-workers from stealing my lunch out of the company fridge.
