Upside Down

At the beginning of last summer, we spent a few days on the south coast of England, between Worthing and Brighton, or thereabouts. I really liked Worthing and could be quite at home there. Brighton was pleasant. Being a holiday resort, it was busy, as to be expected. On the front, a quirky upside down house generated interest. I believe it is a tourist attraction. We didn’t visit. At the time, it didn’t occur to me that our own holiday resort, Blackpool, might benefit from the same thing, but sure enough, as I sit typing, an upside down house is under construction somewhere on the sea front at South Shore. While I’m having my daily whinge about the state of roads and pavements in my locality, and wondering why we need special food waste bins when it’s simple enough to bag it separately – oh, yes, someone said rats, ok – I remind myself that Tourism Planning and Town Planning are probably not the same, and don’t share an office, or if they do, it’s all upside down. Was I dreaming about Blackpool being put forward for a future City of Culture status? Let’s wait and see. Mr Bickerstaff had a daft idea about a tower and that worked out just fine.

Upside down, topsy-turvy, inside out. This is still how my house is and has been for nearly a year. I wish the fairies would come during the night and sort it out. Packing up and getting rid of things no longer needed takes forever and I’ve got to be ruthless to downsize. It goes against my nature to part with most things. We’ve spent weeks in our caravan, quite happily with not much more than the basics. Funny, that. We haven’t moved house before. At this rate, it might not happen until Blackpool has City of Culture status.

The family home, children raised here now grandchildren treat it as their own, which is how I like it. This is how sentimental I am. Old photos show the changes through the ages. Furniture, carpets, décor, all a mix of good ideas, or not. We’ve always had painted walls, apart from the lounge. It is painted now, but until recently it was wall-papered. When we did the papering, I did the cutting and pasting, my husband did the hanging, smoothing and finishing trim. Once, we had the entire room papered with the pattern upside down. My fault, of course. Luckily, it was a subtle design, mostly hidden by book shelves and tall furniture. I don’t think anyone noticed.

Imagine the horror of being stuck upside down on a malfunctioning ride in an amusement park. It has happened. A group of people spent thirty minutes suspended upside down 100 feet high for about half an hour when a ride they were on stalled. Everyone was rescued safely and without injury, apart from the discomfort of blood rushing to their heads giving visual problems, dizziness and headache. This occurred in Portland, Oregon, USA in 2024. It might have happened elsewhere, too.

A poem,

Upside Down

It’s funny how beetles
And creatures like that,
Can walk upside down
As well as walk flat.

They crawl on a ceiling
And climb on a wall,
Without any practice
Or trouble at all.

While I have been trying
For a year (may be more)
And I still can’t stand,
With my head on the floor.

    

                                 Aileen Fisher

Thanks for reading, Pam x

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Excess

This week's theme is a typical response to the Festive Season..one referred to as a time of excess. Diets are forgotten, lots of alcohol is consumed, many gifts are given ( sometimes costing an obscene amount of money ). We over - indulge. Petty squabbles get blown out of all proportion. Late nights, partying, feasting and drinking become a pattern that many follow. The saying, " You can't have enough of a good thing " is rubbish. The other saying, " A little of what you fancy does you good " is more apt.

I've found myself being rather 'mean' over Christmas.....now don't get me wrong I celebrate the Season, but I've cut down on the amount of food, titbits and extras that I buy. A few weeks before Christmas I buy a couple of extra treats ( I am lactose intolerant and buy 'free from ' products ..that by their nature are more expensive anyway ). This year I didn't bake my own cake or mincemeat pies , nor Saussure rolls or cheese straws. and you know it hasn't made a bit of difference. I'm still left with purchased ' goodies'. No one commented...who is to comment? I only entertained three people in my home over the festive season.

As for gifts ...well I started in June. I made a quilt for a friend in Scotland , and for another friend in the same town I crocheted a blanket. Both items I took with me when I went up on holiday in October. Most others also got handmade items. An older friend got a hamper. During the year I kept an eye open for thoughtful gifts that would be useful, or joyful or fun for the receiver. Result? Everyone was delighted with their presents (and I have some stashed away for next year).

Christmas Day dinner comprised of a piece of ham (purchased weeks before and frozen). With this I made soup which was frozen and consumed on New Year's Day. A  piece of roast beef...just enough for that day and some to freeze for later. Melon bought two weeks before to ripen to perfection. Free from pudding and coconut milk custard . I asked my guest what vegetables she liked and just cooked enough for that meal. Result? No annoying cold left overs to consume the next day, but sensible food and a freezer of meals for another day.  In fact that dinner on the 1st. comprised ready cooked soup and meats along with fresh vegetables of choice.

 No excess (or not much of it) in this household. No waste either.

Well you must excuse me whilst I partake of my lunch...I have oatcakes and crackers with home made soup to go and see to.....be back soon.....

 

This week's poem is about accidental excess. I was invited to a Mayoral reception in the Blackpool Town Hall ( I usually have a yearly invite ) . The invited guests always include people that go dancing , due to connections. I stood next to a lady that I knew and we were chatting whilst partaking of refreshments. She said she had tonic in her glass. I questioned this as the prepared trays of drinks had included, amongst other things , gin and tonic. However she was adamant that she would know if it was G & T...as she'd never had that drink and was sure to tell the difference. Asking her what else she'd had to drink she told me that she'd had a glass of wine and therefore her intent to have tonic now. It took much persuading as she grew gigglier to make her ask the Mayor's secretary.... and YES you've guessed it....

     G & T
      Is it gin and tonic in this glass ?
      For you see I'm sort of squiffy - so I ask.
      I thought it only tonic, do you see
      And now I'm a bit unsteady, not like me.

      Soon, I'm dancing at the tower, for a while
      But I won't be good - I've lost my style.
      So I ask most kindly of you Mr. Mayor
      That if it's gin and tonic - I must take care.

      It seems as if I'm giggly too as well
      And rather hot and flushed - as you can tell.
      So is it gin and tonic in this glass ?
      For if it is , Mr Mayor, then I must pass.

      Could I please exchange this heady drink
      And have instead a tonic, do you think ?
      Or instead a nice hot cup of tea,
      I'm feeling quite light headed - not like me.

      Oh dear, now I'm walking with a sway,
      My friends think I've had quite enough today.
      Dear Mr Mayor, do tell this happy lass -
      Is this gin and tonic in my glass ?

Even funnier is that I read this poem out to her and she said , " Funny you writing this I had an incident just like it at the Mayor's reception ". She didn't realise it was about her!

Thanks for reading....Kath

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