Thursday 6 December 2012

A Beautiful Revolution



I planted hydrangeas last year.  They weren’t expensive, but I don’t want to spend money on commercially grown flowers that are imported from abroad.  So these flowers are free.  The jam jar I got from my cupboard is also reusable.  So these flowers are zero carbon and zero cost and as I popped them on the mantel piece  I got thinking.  Why do I do this?  Why do I write and why do I spend my time talking on the radio talking about how to cook from scratch, and grow their own flowers?  It’s sure not for money I can tell you that!

I was wondered if I do this for affirmation? Perhaps I write as I need to be acknowledged?   But then I thought about it and remembered all the radio shows that I have done have not even had a comment or a phone call, and some blog posts I have written are just completely ignored.  Nope its not that.  It’s not for wanting to be liked either.  In fact if I am honest I’ve never been that popular, and I don’t really care that much about being liked.  Either you like me or you don’t.

The people that matter, those closest to me, they know me, and love me for who I am and that is all I need emotionally.

So my I find myself practically needing my keyboard like a drug fix this morning.  As I realised in the night why I need to write and talk.  It’s because I am really an anarchist.  Yes I know you are now laughing and wondering if I have gone slightly mad, but I am serious.

I am a middle class, middle age revolutionary and this is my way of doing that. I am in truth, terrified of what we are doing to our world.  The world my children will inherit from us, and yet wherever I look so many things are simply wrong.  I can’t fix the world. I realised that years ago and it took all my strength not to decide to leave all together.  When I made the decision to stay I decided that I would make a difference, and although this blog is about food and life it is also about choices.  I chose to be here.

Yes it is full of pretty pictures and recipes, but the messages are carried across are real.  They are true.  Stick you fingers up at the system.  Grow your own vegetables, plant your own fruit trees, have posts of herbs growing at your back door, keep your own chickens, buy your food from your local butcher, fishmonger and grocer, cut flowers from your garden an recycle your belongings and make home made gifts.

Ok so appreciate that I am not tying myself to a tree on a construction site or leading a group of revolutionary housewives to Downing street.  This is my way.  To talk and write in a way that changes the way people live.  A real revolution in thinking starts with you.  My reader.  These small changes in every day life will make the difference in the end.  No one person can change the world, but collectively we can.

So although it may be full of vintage pretty pictures and a  cakes, but this is the way I choose, because it is the way I know and it really doesn’t have to be uncomfortable to make a statement. In fact my kind of anarchy is quieter, perhaps more subtle  .. but it still that.  It is still my way of giving the finger to the constant aggressive insidious pressure of commercialism that is ruining our world.  I just happen to enjoy it as part of my every day life, and that is why I write because I believe that I can make a difference. 

Lets do things differently.  We’ll call it a beautiful revolution

14 comments:

  1. I so agree with this philosophy. I love nice things but I am an advocate for fresh homemade food, productive gardens and handmade gifts from the heart and I have become more so the older I get - hopefully I have passed this onto my children.

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  2. Sorry I mean't to also mention those magnificent blooms - one of my favourites.

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  3. Your right we each need to do what we can at home and if we all bought Fairtrade and boycotted goods made with child labour things will start to change.
    And I think it's lovely to have pretty things, to make gifts with love, to cook and clean for our families with love, and to laugh and smile our way through life.

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  4. Oh, how I agree with you - I am terrified at what kind of world my children are going to inherit and their children too! I worry about the bees and what will happen when their numbers dwindle to such an extent that we will have to pollinate by hand! I worry about GM foods and how they are creeping in slowly but surely when the majority of us don't want them. I worry about ...... well, everything really. If EVERYONE did a little it would add up to a lot, but there are so many people who decide to do nothing because it's easier in the short term to do so. Don't stop stirring us up - we all need reminders of what is important in life.

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  5. I love the fact that you care enough to share, we all get so caught up in everyday life that the simple things that bring pleasure have been lost without realising what has happened.I love the snippets of information and fantastic photographs.
    Please keep writing

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  6. Love reading your blog. Makes me pause and think about what is really important the simple pleasures and skills that have fallen by the wayside without realising it has happened. Love the snippets of information and fantastic photographs. I for one will be making homemade biscuits , bread and preserves as gifts this Xmas. Thank you for making me stop and reflect on what is important x

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  7. It's so good to read such positive comments.
    x

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  8. This is one post that won't be ignored. Agree with your sentiments. You can change the world in many small actions - not just grand plans.

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  9. It's not always easy to remember that small actions can make a difference - will try to refer back to this post next time I get to the 'what's the point of recycling the milk cartons when the world is in such a mess and getting worse' stage... Long live the beautiful revolution!

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  10. I can only echo what everyone else has said. I love the blog and dip into it often having found the blog after I'd bought Prepped! I always think that I have nothing of interest to say, so I don't, but this time I thought I would.

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  11. Thank you Margaret. I love comments. It's good to read the thoughts of the people who read the blog. It keeps in in tune and in touch and I have made many friends through this site.
    x

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  12. I think you definitely have a strong message to communicate Vanessa and much of what you say resonates with a lot of people. Many of us look for validation and acknowldgement in our lives, whether it is through the things that we do/say or the topics that we get involved in or blog about. You have always been a 'get up and do' person and your enthusiasm for life and making things better is very inspiring. Looking forward to many more of your posts and adventures in the New Year.

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  13. I agree with you and your sentiments. I worry about what will be left of this country once they've finished concreting it all. So I'm going to do my bit and grow as many trees as my land will allow - and in particular - as many native ones as I can. And also fruit trees! I already have my fruit trees ordered and they're coming next week. I'm also seriously thinking about bees.

    I love your posts and tweets, Vanessa, and always look forward to reading them.

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If you are reading my blog I must warn you that I am not impartial. I want to influence you. I want to make you stop for just a moment and consider the effect of a lifetime of seemingly insignificant decisions and how making small delicious choices can change the world.

I believe that we can change the world one bite at a time.

It's a delicious revolution.