Instead of plastic containers, I take Mason jars to work. Generally, they are filled with creamily delicious milk. I never imagined there being any problem with this. After all, it's milk in a jar. Is that really an exciting or unusual occurence?

Then, my trainer asked, "What are you doing with that jar? Is that a Mason jar? She has a Mason jar, like your granny used to."

My bewilderment stemmed from two main factors. First, neither of my grannies had ever had Mason jars. Second, I didn't see in what way a jar could grab so much attention.

This is a strange world in which to live: a world in which jars provide links to the past and amusement for the present.