Hadn't thought of that, Peg. Strange that something as ephemeral as perfume would be hoarded away and last longer than the person. As you say, would it not be better to daub on the perfume, and drink all the Bordeaux in the basement? I suppose part of these things is that while some of the perfume is just there to be smelt occasionally and dreamt upon, surely part of it is really the hope that one day you would be able to put it on for something elegant. And the elegant occasions seldom if never come. They do not come, anyway, as often as one hopes. And they get fewer as you get older, it seems (and when the older generation goes, they may disappear forever). My parents are wrestling with going to a WWII reunion for what they expect will be the last time (they are both in their mid80's and very frail), and I know my mother wants to put on her finery just once more. I will remind her of this thread.
yours, Peter T.