Pillow talk

Last week I bought a new pillow for my bed. Actually, I bought two: one stuffed with goose feathers and duvet, the other with a synthetic stuffing that, according to the label, is 'anti-electric' – whatever that may imply.

I am a very difficult sleeper and therefore tend to spend many a fitful night when not sleeping in my own, familiar bed. There even were times when I used to take my pillow with me when we travelled. But over the years, the beds and bed linen in the places where we stay, have improved. In fact, I sometimes even have the feeling that the pillows I sleep on while on vacation, are more comfortable than the one I have at home. I’ve always discarded this idea though assuming that it is the new surroundings, the fact of being relaxed and the exhaustion after a day of sightseeing that have a positive effect on my sleep.

Being accustomed to and therefore very fond of my dear, old pillow, the thought of having to part with it and replacing it by a new one has always been rather distressing. Two weeks ago, however, I finally decided that it was time for a change. Preparing a package of waste paper for the monthly pick-up, I came across a post-order catalogue of a well-known French table and bed linen manufacturer called Linvosges. As its name indicates this company is located in the Vosges department in the north-eastern Lorraine region.

In the late nineties the Lorraine used to be our favourite September destination. On two or three of our short mid-week trips, we visited the picturesque town of Gérardmer, famous for its beautiful lake, ski-slopes in winter and … Linvosges. On our first visit we spent a lot of time and a considerable amount of money in the factory’s outlet shop. Since then I have been receiving their post-order catalogues on a regular basis.

Although I hadn’t informed Linvosges about my recent move – almost one year ago, can you imagine! – my friendly postman Wim had dutifully deposited their latest catalogue at my new address in December. At the time I had hardly glanced at it and was now about ready to chuck it into the cardboard box with rest of the waste paper, when I noticed a coupon offering a 40% discount on several items. So I gave it a more thorough look and found some beautiful sheets and pillow cases at give-away prices. I also noticed there was an even bigger discount of 50% on pillows. As an extra they were even throwing in a set of three kitchen towels for 5 euros and a surprise gift. No self-respecting woman can resist an offer like that, can she?

I surfed to the Linvosges website, put in my order and paid the online invoice by credit card. Being at the office during most days of the week, I asked the package to be delivered at my mother’s address. And then the wait began. Three days after putting in the order, I received an email saying that my order had left the plant and was on its way. There was no ETA mentioned though. So for a week on end, I dropped in at my mother’s every night after work to see whether my order had arrived.

Exactly a week ago, a postman in a small van deposited a gigantic package, wrapped in plastic at my mother’s house. I waited till the weekend though to try out my new pillows; just in case they didn’t live up to the expectations. It didn’t take me long to find out that the ‘goose’ pillow perfectly fitted my needs. Sleeping on it is sheer heaven. The anti-electric pillow is almost as nice, so I’m keeping it … just in case.