☄ where it all began

 

Written in blue and purple fountain pen and titled 

'Weekend 22 + 23rd Aug; '53, George and Joan down for weekend 

(M,D + Mg, V at Butlins, Clacton)
Not only does it list everything they bought for their eating pleasures, it also chronicles the weekend events along with prices for train fares and treats ~
'8/- knickerbocker glories at Crescent'.


It's a beautiful snapshot of the times and a little bit of local history ~

'Sunday. NeverNeverland (walk along the front to Chalkwell in the morning)'.
The total cost *38/10* split down the middle ~
'we paid 19/2, George & Joan paid 19/8'..

And so it started. 
.... my collection and compulsion to keep these discarded pieces of someone's life. 
Little clues are left on an anonymous list ~ the handwriting, type of paper, things to buy, methodically scribbled out as they walked around the aisles, folded or scrunched, spelling mistakes, junk food, items underlined, extra instructions.

I make up images in my head of the person that wrote the list ~ older lady, widowed, careful about her diet, likes to keep herself youthful.

What sort of paper are you?

Pretty floral purpose made from a pad, with the heading 'shopping'.

A square of card cut from a teabag box.

An old birthday card or unused postcard.

Recycled envelopes or office a4 paper.

Torn.

Cut.

Do you write the list in a virtual tour of the aisles?

Fresh on one side ~ the rest on the other?

Long hand or block caps?

Most misspelled words are yoghurt and broccoli.

My boxful of paper lists has grown and I really should curb my habit. But it's not easy when I see that little piece of paper fluttering in the breeze at the outside trolley park of the supermarket ....