His hat

Macro shot of part of my hubbys flat cap from a few years ago.

It’s another one of the photos I found in Facebook memories. It reminds me of how he used to dress. More like a Lancashire farmer than someone living in a modern town. With a tweed jacket and old working mens trousers or jeans. A plaid shirt and boots or black leather shoes. His hair was usually escaping from under that flat cap. He sometimes got called the mad professor because his hairstyle was much like Einstein’s or other times curly when what was left of his hair was uncovered.

A big man, strong. He loved cycling and science. He knew such a lot of things but was often troubled. Bad memories of childhood. Our partnership was of mutual support. Mutual love. I remember his cheeky grin and the twinkle of mischief in his eyes.

Yes this photo bought back many memories.

An old tee shirt.

What’s the oldest things you’re wearing today?

My tee shirts are getting holey before I throw them away. Most of my clothes are more than five years old and many are much older. If I get rid of them I put them out for charity or take them to a clothes bank for recycling. I can’t afford to spend lots of money on clothes. I’m not a designer shaped person (thin), I’m short and chubby. I’ve never bought clothes by well known makers. If it fits and it looks OK that’s good enough for me.

Why waste money on clothes you wear once or twice then throw them away? I think the reuse, repair, recycle, restore values are the ones to live by.

Green jumper, old jeans

What are your two favorite things to wear?

My old jeans must be ten or fifteen years old. I used to be bigger so I’ve taken them in several times. I also like my moss green, cable knit jumper. It has a big turtle neck collar, and at this time of year they both keep me warm.

I love painting and I have to be careful not to get the paint on the jumper. The jeans don’t matter as much. I’ve used them for painting in for years.

I think clothes should last, they don’t need replacing every few months, they should be made to have a good lifetime, so that we don’t waste material and harm the environment more than we need to. I believe in make do and mend.

It depends

What is the most important thing to carry with you all the time?

Not this!

Yet again I have to be equivocal about this question. I mean I’m not deliberately being ambiguous, but there could be many answers depending on the person, their age, sex, health and the place they are at.

1. Fresh water /food

If you are alone and outside away from people, for instance on a walk it’s a good idea to take supplies. I imagine I won’t be far from transport, but what happens if you get lost?

2. Spare clothes/groundsheet

If you are out and about and lost you might not be able to find shelter if the weather deteriorates or it gets dark. You might have to stay put, so having extra clothes and something to make into a shelter could save you from exposure. We went camping one Easter and I had to wear two pairs of trousers and three jumpers because of the cold!

3. A map

Learn to read maps, if your phone goes flat and you can’t charge it how do you find your location?

4. Medication?

Even if you don’t expect to be out all day and night it’s better to be prepared. The older you are the more likely you are to need medicine. Don’t ignore it, and if necessary take out travel insurance.

5. Car keys?

Yes if I take the car with me, and house keys.

6. Medical alert.

If you take some medications then you need to take warning notifications with you. Similarly if you are allergic to food colourings, bee and wasp stings, or antibiotics it’s worth letting people know!

7. A sketchpad and something to draw with.

I’m an artist, what did you expect me to say?

Vaccum packed!

I’ve been trying to make space in this jumbled, untidy house. I hope to get some plastering done in a damp corner, but stuff is in the way. I bought vaccum laundry bags ages ago and they got added to the pile, but now? I’ve rediscovered them. I used four yesterday and just got four more. They are ideal for storing bulky bedspreads and jumpers. I have two crocheted square throws that I have had for years, one made by my mother in law and one by me. I’m bothered that clothes moths might get at them so I bagged them up then squirted a bit of fly spray in. Finally I sealed the bag and applied the vaccum cleaner to the valve. The shrinkage is amazing! So satisfying, it still weighs a lot, but it takes up a lot less space!

I don’t have outfits

Not me…

If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be?

If I were forced to wear an outfit it would always be a tee shirt and trousers. But I would say that is casual clothing and not an ‘outfit’. I guess if I were forced I might wear dungarees with some sort of blouse? I like being comfortable and I am a bit clumsy so I might spill my coffee or food, so if I wear patterned tee shirts any stains might be less noticeable!

The other reason why I don’t like outfits is that I had to look smart for my job of twenty-five years. It was horrible to wear such straight-laced clothes. And boring. And unimaginative….

One outfit I did like wearing was one of my friends tie dye tee shirts with patchwork trousers. I felt like a real artist when I wore that. I would be happy to wear that until it fell apart!

A top I bought ten or twelve years ago?

What’s the oldest things you’re wearing today?

It’s nylon and cotton. A maroon and white striped top. It has a couple of pockets. I bought it for work, I now wear it as something comfortable around the house.

Why not? I’ve lost weight, but it’s one of those baggy tops that doesn’t look bad even now. My thoughts are that I’m not bothered about fashion. If it fits and it looks OK I’m not bothered if its old. I don’t understand why people buy clothes every few months or weeks. I know people can get addicted to shopping. But in a time of austerity, why spend on clothes that might fall apart after a few washes. It’s also harmful to the environment to waste resources on clothes. If it covers you and keeps you warm? Then it’s OK.

I probably have older clothes, but I don’t remember when I bought them. They get washed on low temperatures, then folded and put away till I want them. Some are in a dusty cupboard, I might have some eighties classics!

Too much stuff

I have too much stuff (plants, ornaments, paintings, clothes), but I remember how I got every bit of clutter and just find it very hard to let go of them. I have moved things around and chucked some stuff out. But the majority of it remains. I would like to tidy up the place and would start by with living room. That would be my plan if I had to chose a new years resolution, but I can’t suss out how to get rid of more things!

Elegant

Sunday’s #bandofsketchers prompt was elegant. My elegant idea was to draw a sewing pattern with a figure in a dress. I was inspired by 1970’s patterns which had elegant ladies sketched onto the sewing pattern cover. But my drawing does not really get the feel. It’s more like something I would have drawn as a teenager! I’m also showing my age. I’m sure I had a stripey skirt a bit like this, that flared out when you moved.