i had my first Global Economy observation lesson today at school. the class were learning about the concept of value and how worth is something that can only be worked out based around humanity. we were also discussing the way that lawyers, doctors and bankers come away with huge wages yet teachers, play workers and kindergarten assistants do not. despite working just as hard in many cases and studying for just as long if not longer. how have we come to this? and how have we let our economy come to the place we are in whereby hard working people are literally living on the bread line based on mistakes made by people who will certainly not be counting their pennies to buy a loaf of almost mouldy bread in the reduced bucket? . . . it is all so heart-breaking.
the other day a very good friend from my teacher training course and i were talking about the demands of modern life and how every month seems to bring another financial concern. she joked that this month she and hers would be living on beans on toast. and that comment got me thinking. about what i place value upon. i really, really value beans on toast. it is my no-fail comfort food. always. it evokes memories of my mamma and i sitting in the kitchen of the council house i grew up in with otis redding in the background and a yellow teapot on an old dresser. in those memories, it's always a saturday and she's always reading me a book while waiting for the toast to brown under the grill. those meals of beans on toast were worth the world to me. the dresser was a pass-me-down from a lovely neighbour next door, the books were those that we had just bought in some or other charity shop that particular saturday morning and we never needed to own a toaster.
today i made myself beans on toast after steiner. my boy had made the beans. i baked the bread. i ate it off thrifted china that doesn't match while wearing a cheap floral tea dress off ebay and reading my newest angela carter charity shop find.
today, on international women's day, i am remembering all of those greats that came before.
today, i am thinking about the one in particular that taught me everything i know about the true value of things . . .
2 comments:
hey my dear scottish girl :)
first of all i have to tell you: your blog is the most refreshing blog one can find in the whole www. You and your man are the most natural people in the blogosphere. You both have such a likeable charisma, we wanna hug you everytime reading your blog. yes, me and my loveliest love to read your blog! we cannot describe, but some way we like you two as a couple so much and reading your stories always bring us that wonderful feeling of edinburgh back, because we looove that city! it was so exciting when you both moved there and we just love the stlye of your nice and comfy flat :D
anyway, I think we like you because you two remind us of ourself... sad that there are 2139 kilometres between our cities :/
ok, we thought it would be fair to tell you, becauce we always read your thoughts and never told you so...
so now, I totally agree with what you said about our economy and unfair distribution of income especially at social works. I am a kindergarten teacher (I guess that's also a reason why I like you so :) and the terms and conditions are terrifying!
on sundays we sometimes cook a typical english breakfast and then baked beans on toast must not be missed!
Angela Carter is perfect for reading on Women's Day, I used to read her books when I was a teen, I guess her literature had much influence on my emancipation :)
So, we send you many hugs and greets, and if you ever will come to Vienna, please tell us, our couch is yours!
xxx hannah & flo
hlaumer@hotmail.com
ps: do you know urban angel in edinburgh on hanover street? it is so delicious! we spend there half a day eating their organic meals! love it!
I agree, I value my charity shop and ebay finds much more than new things. The thrill of finding something wonderful in a charity shop (like your gorgeous granny blanket) outweighs so much more finding something in, say, Topshop.
And beans on toast is one of my favourite meals, especially with a wee bit of cheese grated on top! I don't have expensive tastes!!
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