A sampling from my summer collection of hand fans. With our Dallas temperature consistently hovering around 109 degrees, I can’t imagine life without this simple accessory. Over the years, I’ve collected an interesting group, despite the fact they are hard to find — that is if you’re looking for something more sophisticated than the Asian souvenir type of fan. How can a basic and beautiful tool be so under appreciated? The Asian sandalwood fan is my everyday choice. They are a bit fragile, but easier to find, very affordable, and have a wonderful scent. Occasionally I come across a stinky one that has been unnaturally enhanced and requires a year to calm down before it can be taken out into public. If you’re in Dallas, World Market has a fun selection of paper souvenir types of fans along with the sandalwood variety.
PA,
OMG…..you would love CA…..the Asian community is CA…..the fans are lovely…you must come for a visit……! Annie
Ann, I would love to very much. I’m in bad need of a getaway, but first I’ve got some rather large monkeys to pluck off my back.
Beautiful, Patsy Ann. I love fans. I was just remembering my grandmother responding to the heat (she who was never without her hat and gloves). I believe it was a linen hankie with which she dabbed her throat. The only acknowledgement she ever made to the heat. No fans in daily use, though she once spoke of fans at parties when she was younger, but she was born in the late 1880s, so they were flirtation devices rather than air-conditioners.
Margaret, my grandmothers were the same way. My maternal one, Bookie, wore gloves at all times–even grocery shopping. When she died I helped my aunt go through all her belongings and you would not believe the huge quantity of gorgeous kid gloves in all lengths that we found. I was the only girl in the family who’s hands fit her gloves, but I decided to forego. And speaking of handkerchiefs, I kept all my mother’s monogrammed hankies. I haven’t used them yet, but will figure a way to.