Our DNA in Words

A Genealogy and human history pub

Member-only story

IMPULSE PURCHASING

The Words Highly Recommended Are a Trigger

A few clicks and the object is on its way to us

Sarah Ouellet
Our DNA in Words
Published in
3 min readApr 18, 2025

--

A tortoiseshell or calico cat relaxing on what appears to be a red or burgundy couch or blanket. Next to the cat is a book titled “The Death of Money” by James Rickards, with the subtitle that appears to discuss monetary systems. The cat seems to be peacefully resting while the book sits nearby on the same surface. In the background, there’s a decorative pillow with circular patterns and what looks like some furniture and electronics in the home setting.
Miss Pretty shows her feelings about this book.

Among my husband’s purchases cluttering our house are two cans of rug shampoo, a sealing device for freezer bags, a membership for monthly shipments of mushroom coffee (I can’t imagine wanting to drink the brew), slippers that don’t fit him, a set of wrenches he doesn’t need, and a neglected exercise bicycle (now a supplemental clothes rack).

Last summer, it was deck and patio furniture. He even constructed a patio for the extra chairs and benches. With a table for six, chairs, and benches all with comfy red cushions, we have seating for twenty or so guests.

I can understand why my husband was beguiled by some of the items cluttering our house and yard, but I was less than thrilled to be handed rug shampoo, or the year I received a gigantic teddy bear, the size of a good-sized chubby child.

The books are puzzling — fiction and non-fiction, mostly hardcover. I read omnivorously and frequently patronize the local library and independent bookstores. The highly recommended volumes he selects are not generally the books I am interested in reading.

My husband has never read a book. Never. He may leaf through a magazine or a newspaper, but he…

--

--

Sarah Ouellet
Sarah Ouellet

Written by Sarah Ouellet

I am an old, opinionated woman who loves animals and nature. I feed stray cats, skunks, possums, and birds.

Responses (17)