Do you remember making gum wrapper chains when you were a kid? If not, have you seen the movie 28 Days with Sandra Bullock?  Hold that thought. I'll get back to it.

During the summer, I have found that I tend to do more crafts than other times of the year. I finished an afghan I started at Christmas time. A friend taught me how to make rag rugs that are really easy and durable. I crocheted door mat and a tote bag out of plastic grocery bags. I love the idea of getting something for nothing. There is a great deal of satisfaction in turning what would have been garbage and unproductive TV time into something useful (and not trashy looking).

I love purses and tote bags.  My purses have to be either unique and kind of kitschy or they have to be really high quality. I can't justify spending real money on them. I have added a Coach bag, a Kate Spade bag, a Kenneth Cole bag and vintage Gucci bag to my collection and spent a total of $12. (Ya gotta love thrift stores).

I have a friend who makes really cute handbags out of wrappers woven like gum wrapper chains. Do you know what I'm talking about. Generally, you either buy them from impoverished locals on trips to Mexico, or you buy them for a $30 from trendy boutiques. There cute, and kind of kitschy.

My daughter was needing something to do, I wanted to try a new craft, so I googled instructions on how to fold and weave gum wrappers to make a purse. Kitschy and free. Double whammy.

I found a link to the world record holding gum wrapper chain.

This chain made out of gum wrappers is over 10 miles long. It is made from the wrappers of $74,000 worth of gum. It was made by a man in Virginia who started it in March of 1965. That's three months before I was born.

So, while I was growing up, getting married, having my babies, and trying to raise them, getting my degree, moving all over the world, experimenting with homeschooling and living off the grid, having all my  stupid, mundane, painful, wonderful adventures--this guy was making a gum wrapper chain. I hope this was his unproductive TV time and that his life is rich and full in other ways. I hope that this was true recreation for him to rejuvenate from a whirlwind of other activities.

Because cancer is still not cured.