Compact umbrella housed inside a plastic case disguised as a wine bottle. Its small scale is more like a vinegar bottle, but I think of it as the wine brolly.  The advertisement is for a winery. This is the first time I’ve taken it out of its case, although I didn’t open it all the way  – bad luck and what not opening umbrellas inside:)! It was acquired six months ago, as a promotional gift that came with some wine I bought. In fact, the details of its acquisition are slightly more salacious than that.

I was in a small town, or a village, when back East this summer. I’m not sure how to define the difference between a really small town and a village. All my knowledge of villages are based upon Agatha Christie novels, or watching Midsomer Murders. At any rate, it was more like John Prine’s “In a town this size” type of town. The store sells groceries, clothes, pharmacy stuff and booze. Only certain parts of Canada have that privilege (the selling alcohol in a grocery store thing).  I was with one of my cousins, and he was a 2nd or 3rd cousin to the cashier. He got a free prize with his beer, because he had bought a 12-pack case, and I had only bought a 6-pack as well as a bottle of wine. (It was a family reunion, big party). This made me jealous, I whimpered, and the cashier’s husband (possibly a 3rd cousin once removed) took pity, and pulled out this umbrella. I was pleased as punch. But still I never used it.

I now may actually have to take the plunge and open it all the way, as I misplaced my bright and cheerful yellow brolly. I hope it will turn up. Otherwise, this compact one will have to be put to the test.

I see one reference that cites the umbrella as having been invented over 4,000 years ago. That’s a long time to get it right, and yet they seem to inevitably fall apart sooner rather than later.

Status: Do a sun dance so the rain goes away.

Kill-ratio: 21: 3/ 7:1

Alt-title: Untitled Object No. 351 For Promoting Good Cheer During a Downpour

In case this is blocked – it’s John Prine and Dolores Keane: In a Town This Size

p.s. This came so close to falling into the “still sealed” category suggested by John for the bow tie and DVD, but alas, I had to break it open to demonstrate its brolliness.