Sometimes you make it into your forties, fifties, sixties, even beyond, and you see something that makes you wonder: now, why the heck didn’t I think of that? I’m not talking the internet or virtual currency or even a pop machine that gives you about a hundred different drink choices with the push of a button. No, what I mean is much simpler. So obvious that you wonder how on earth it never occurred to you. In a moment, I’ll share a few examples with you.
 
I’ve stayed in more hotels and motels than I can count and two things they almost all share: the bathroom sink plunger doesn’t work properly and the sink drains and there’s never, ever ice in the fridge’s ice cube tray, whether it’s a full-size in a rental condo or a little dorm-sized one. Never. Those two things I know for sure.
 
Now here’s something I have never seen. Can you tell what this is?
 

 
It’s a dark face cloth with eyes embroidered into it. What for? I bet if you’re a woman you know: for taking off makeup without staining or possibly even ruining a hotel’s light-coloured cloths and towels. Brilliant!
 
A motel we stayed at a night later had a plain brown washcloth, I’m guessing – or, um hoping – for the same reason, but come on, those embroidered eyes? That is above and beyond. Yes, I’m talking to YOU, Harrison House in Friday Harbor! (Special kudos to any other place that stocks packaged makeup removal wipes. I’ve seen about four of those and, no, I do not flush them.)
 
Then we noticed something in the delightful lakeside town of Chelan, Washington that I have never seen before: crossing flags.
 

 
On poles on opposite sides of a busy street, sticking out like branches on a really cheap Christmas tree, are flags. You take one out, you hold or wave it aloft and you cross that busy four-lane street – a highway really – that links two towns. And, hopefully, you do it safely.
 
The only downside to the flag system is once everyone has crossed one direction – say, to the beach in Chelan’s case – then all of the flags are on that side of the road. That needs a Good Samaritan to take a few extras when she or he crosses in the other direction. What a great idea! There’s no way of knowing how many lives have been saved, but I’d have to guess there have been a few, wouldn’t you think?
 
Anyway – a couple of little bits of brilliance I thought you might find as fascinating as I did. Join me here tomorrow and we’ll wrap up this week together!