There’s an anglepoise lamp that lights up my desk here in the cottage. It is an ancient lamp, but a very good one and when new cost a fair bit of money, many years ago.
The reason why I am mentioning this will be apparent in a moment or two. You see, recently, here at Bealtaine Cottage, my washing machine broke down and that got me thinking about stuff…well, things in particular…
Things like wellies…
What may you ask can possibly go wrong with wellies?
And what connects wellies to the anglepoise lamp?
Well, these, again, are old wellies and they are fine! However, over the course of recent years I have bought several pairs of floral wellies that have very quickly sprung leaks!
There is a point in telling you this…
it’s a simple point…
and is this…
the trend over recent years in manufacturing right across the board is to produce low quality stuff that is hiked as quality and pricey to boot!
Things are made not to last, to expire early, to be throw-away!
I have stopped buying trendy wellies.
I am not replacing my washing machine.
I have taken up home dressmaking once more.
And all the stuff that is being hiked in the shops…well, I will return to the way my grandma used to shop…infrequently, making an annual day of it!
WELL! .. Good for those comments and you I guess – but when you don’t have the ability
to do some things on your own, I will buy. I don’t know what ‘wellies’ are OR the ‘anglepoise lamp’ — but I’m NOT going without my Washing Machine!
HUGS/ and that is not h/m !!!!XOXOXOXO
Wellies are wellingtons, or rubber boots and the anglepoise lamp is a multi-directional spotlight on a long adjustable arm…a desk lamp!
Yes, the washing machine is now officially kapoot, but I am washing a few items each day and hanging them on the line to dry and so that takes care of that and keeps my nails nice and clean…they can get a little grubby working in the gardens!
Colx
It’s not only the lasting qualities to think about, it’s the toxic materials that are used in the construction of many modern items. Those chemicals slowly seep into the air we breathe……the lining on curtains is a case in point. No longer heavy cotton, but a fabric that is meant to block the sun yet exudes potent poisons each day into the rooms we live in. Hemp and flax can easily replace the modern fabrics, and last and last and last…..
Totally agree with you and a very good point about the curtain linings, as the heat from the sun will release toxins, for sure! I endeavour always to have natural materials in my home and most of the ‘old’ stuff was made from these! We must continue to demand natural fabrics etc in attempting to reverse this disaster!
Colx
Well said, I know I feel the same way. I do blame our throw away society for instance my husband decided recently he was tired of our stove top perculator (no electricity required) that can be used on a fire if needed. So he went to the big named “W” store and bought an automatic coffee pot and in less than three days it was broken and he was back to the old trusted perculator. I am fairly sure internally he was relieved that he had one he could rely on, but I am still trying to figure out what the purpose of needing the store bought one was at this time.
We are being subliminally conditioned on a daily basis to buy, buy, buy…and are made to feel inadequate if we do not consume! Stepping outside the box is hard to do, but it helps to focus the mind and evaluate the picture as we look around and take stock! I have leaned to buy vintage as the materials used in older goods is of a far superior value!
Colx
Oh, don’t worry about breaking the mould…Christmas lost Christ decades ago and is now just a commercial meltdown experience. I am insisting on h/m gifts or promises…design and print your own cheque and fill it out with a promise…work, h/m food, whatever! As for cards…that’s a scam!
Colx