WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 39, 21 March 1940, Page 43

WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS

Dear Friends, Next Sunday is Easter. The time for hot-cross buns, for trams, cars and boats — beaches and mountain-tops — holiday time; a break in the monotony of our days. .. For Easter, like Christmas, carries a message of friendliness and goodwill. The Easter star continues to shine; a symbol that " God’s in His Heaven and all’s right with the world." It comes each year to win us back to faith and simplicity of heart. Friendship and goodwill, peace and under-standing-tthese are the only things that will save mankind. Through all the chaos of the world to-day there is a Plan running through; obscure to our anxious vision-but always there. It will lead us out of the present conflict. From all this oppression, this bitterness and hostility, something fine and enduring will emerge. Some people may call it Peace. Whatever name we give it, the meaning is the same. It is symbolised in the Easter message. Once we can regain this slant on life, we can set our energies to living gamely, dauntlessly. To keeping on with our allotted tasks, not forgetting the laugh on our lips. Which leads me to a practical thought on Easter-holidays. It is the mood of the moment. People living by the sea will be dreaming of mountain tramps, while country folk are turning wistful eyes towards distant sea-coasts. Nearly everybody is planning to go somewhere, It is a great and happy migration. Dropping behind us for a little time our daily work and cares-living joyously for the moment. It is a sane and wholesome mood, You know, it’s often the little details that resolve the pleasure of our holidays, and one of the most important things to remember is that there is packing to be done, Packing can be made a pleasure and part of the holiday fun ifethought out carefully, First the externals. It is no use starting forth on a trip looking like a fashion-plate-and with a couple of shabby old bags at your feet. If it is that sort of holiday, well and good, but if it’s the other kind, try and see that your luggage matches your appearance,

Cheap cases are a bad investment. A good, solid case can be done up and repaired from .time to time and look like new again, Canvas covers, striped or plain, are also an excellent idea; they not only look well, but protect your bags from wear and weather conditions. Now for inside the bags. You may not be one of those lucky ones to possess a wardrobe travelling trunk, but there are ways and means of managing just as effectively. First your frocks. You have observed the way they do them in shops, with sheets of tissue paper between them. Follow this method, then cut a piece of cardboard the same length and lay the folded frock on it, attaching with a rubber band. They will lift easily in and out as required, and will never crush, For your lingerie, buy or make your own cellophane envelopes. These are invaluable. You see at a glance what is wanted, and in this way your underwear will never become confused with the rest of your packing. For shoes, it is a good idea to have separate little covers of cretonne or soft canvas, preferably with a zipp fastener. The shoes can then be packed into a light enamel box. All other accessories will find their own special corners, A very happy Easter to you all! Yours cordially,

Cynthia