Many of these stories are priceless. I don't carry my machine with me but I do carry quilting thoughts everywhere I go. One thing that I do is follow along with my DH to the casino and bring along my kindle which is loaded with quilting mysteries series. I find a comfortable place to sit and read. At the end of the "visit" we have a nice meal together. He's happy (eh-hem, or sometimes sad) and I'm happy.