The Materialist: A plein air

Marimekko cottton sateen blanket, from SewnNatural

Was cycling over to my favourite park the other day when I realized something dire: my red picnic/park blanket was not in my "summer park" bag. It is, now, lost to me.

It was taken from me by firefighters and paramedics after I used it to help comfort a woman who had been struck by a vehicle while crossing a street. (She was in the right, the driver was a tool.) The poor woman had a badly almost-amputated foot, blood seeping from her head and, in her 60s, did not speak much English — not that my crappy mandarin helped much. The big blanket did, though, helping to ease some shock and staunch some of the blood flow until paramedics arrived.


I thought my blanket was salvageable. The firefighters thought otherwise, as they shoved it into their large, medical waste bag.
At least it was lost through a good deed and not merely misplaced.

Nonetheless, I remain without a festive blanket and since IKEA no longer makes big, cheery, red bedspreads (they do navy, taupe and white) am now finding myself drawn to options online.

SewnNatural is a company from whom I have bought two items over the past two years, and recently did a little Easter article about for the newspaper. They are a family-owned, woman-centred, organic-friendly, Ottawa company run out of the homes of a mother and daughter team. While they mostly specialize in baby and child stuff (toys, organic nap beds, bedding, mobiles) I have yet to purchase such.

Continuing on that theme I am now admiring this lie in the park and drink green iced tea blanket, even though it is plus cher than the dull IKEA option at $18 vs $200.


I blame my grandfather for my expensive taste. [Why not, he did.]