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Friday, January 14, 2022

Big expectations!

 I bought a trench coat several years ago. Perhaps many years ago. I'd owned one years before, in my college days. It was the classic tan, with a zip in lining, nice going on winter. I lent it to a friend and it never came back. The trench coat I bought I don't remember when, was green corduroy. Nice Irish green, all the appropriate epaulettes, big brown buttons securing them. Double breasted, and most important, a long, long belt to secure it when all those buttons were a nuisance.

This coat probably accompanied me on airplanes, to corporate meetings late in my career, to be casually draped over the chair beside me and accepted when a gentleman held it out for me to wear to lunch. At the end of some seasons it went to the dry cleaner's laundry for a trip through the suds and the mangle. On its last trip I detoured it through the tailor's shop, to secure all its big brown buttons, some of which were on the last thread.

I wore the coat to a couple years trustee meetings. I remember Ed, our legal representative, holding it for me to put on, and remarking on it. He wore a heavy dark grey wool trench coat in winter, generally tied.

Then I had a stroke, and lost a lot of weight. The coat hung, unused. It moved house several times, surviving my purges. I don't know why; when I tried it on currently, I was a miniature figure swathed in an oversized coat. Pathetic.

Finally deciding to sell it, I took the obligatory pictures for eBay, and since I tell much on Blogger, mentioned the coat would be listed as soon as a tall enough person appeared to hang the coat high enough for decent pictures.



An astute fellow blogger said to herself, "I wonder if it's my size!", and sent me an email. We determined it probably was, and I mailed it off. I should have made a picture of the envelope I crammed it into. The only caveat to the transaction: pictures required.



That coat went to an excellent home!

35 comments:

  1. It did. She looks lovely in it.

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  2. What a great story. Another reason to love Blogland.

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  3. This is the world of blogging at its very best, with happy bloggers at both ends of the transaction.

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  4. That's me, rockin my new lovely coat! Great transaction, Joanne!

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  5. Good to know your much-loved coat went to a new owner who will love it as much as you!

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  6. Lovely coat..and a nice new owner!

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  7. Hari OM
    The best of transactions is a trade in which both sides feel well done by... YAM xx

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  8. There are two blogger friends in one post. Well, you're there ins spirit. 😀

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  9. I wish I could find a good home for my classic pea coat and Hudson Bay wool coats.

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    1. Dear Karen, do post them. The mention of Hudson Bay coats made my heart skip.

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  10. How wonderful that it has gone to a new, and much appreciated home. It looks wonderful too.

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  11. A wonderful story. That color is fabulous, even after all those years.

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  12. Quality always shines and I'm glad this lovely coat has a very happy new owner. The color, cut and fit seems perfect. Nice photo.

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  13. Oh my goodness! That is a wonderful coat and you can see how happy she is with it. You have certainly made someone very happy, Joanne.

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  14. Oh, I know that blogger! Boud looks great in it! A good quality trench coat never goes out of style. I've had a couple over the years -- an invaluable piece of professional drag. I still have my last trench coat but have not worn it since I retired. It still hangs, fresh from the dry cleaners a couple of years ago, in my outwear closet.

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  15. Yay! It looks like a good fit on your blogger pal. :)

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  16. Hooray for the continued life of the coat. The new owner looks very happy and cosy in it.

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  17. That worked out well! I'm happy for you both!

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  18. Wow, I love that Green, Joanne! It fits the new owner well.
    "to be casually draped over the chair beside me and accepted when a gentleman held it out for me to wear to lunch." - I love that line and think: Yesss - so it should be.

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  19. The coat looks great on the new owner.

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  20. Some articles of clothing I feel so comfortable in that I don't want to get rid of them even when they are falling apart. I think it's a man thing.

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  21. The colour is so pretty and it looks great on Boud! Well done!

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  22. Oh my gosh! What a surprise (and a happy one!) to see dear Liz in that coat! For whatever reason, this just warms my heart as much as I know the coat is warming Liz. We are family of a sort, aren't we?

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  23. Excellent choice by the recipient Boud of a loved and cherished coat.

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  24. Keeping it in the family, so to say - nice. I got rid of mine (tan with zip in lining) when I realized I hadn't worn it in 20 years.

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  25. Beautiful color and it looks great on her! It's wonderful when things go to someone we know.

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  26. How wonderful is that and I know you both! Well, I've actually met you but I do read Boud. It looks great on her.

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  27. You must have really loved that coat to keep it after so many purges, as you say. Great color.

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  28. Oh my gosh... your coat fits its new owner perfectly and she looks great in it! What a happy story:)

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  29. The colour of your coat is gorgeous. So good of you to find it a ew home.

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  30. The coat found a good home and a new life. You are to be commended for rehoming your coat.

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  31. How wonderful that your coat found a new home. And, now, I've found a new blog to read. You are so wonderful Joanne! Thanks

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  32. Well that is one happy customer! Lovely photos and nice story.

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