Tuesday 27 October 2009

☄ 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 ....

4 comments:

  1. This is great - would love to see more of your collection. Yet another co-incidence though. last night I was in tesco doing a wee bit of shopping and I found a discarded list in the trolley (part of it read 'shampoo - me' 'shower gel - pete'. I read it, smiled and immediately thought of you and how you really should put all those lists on display. And then I saw this..!

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  2. Yes Bobbi Blu ~ you were one of those very people who have nudged me! Maybe I shall do a book as suggested but for now this is the next best thing ^_^

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  3. oh and P.S. where is your blog then hmmm?

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  4. oh yes - I did nudge you didn't I?! I think the blog is a perfect forum..

    As for my blog...eeeerm....

    : ]

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