Fresh meat
I overheard somebody say this today: “we really need more energetic, younger people to join — people in their 50s and 60s.”
Amazingly, it was not being said about me nor by my employer. But I am in that magic demographic and I’m beginning to understand why my new boss was so chuffed to find me. For I am younger and energetic.
This is a county full of ancient things. It’s a great source of both scholarship and tourism, and hence our biggest moneymaker (next to sheep, of course). And the tending of ancient things is mostly done by ancient people. The local scene is run by a sort of geriocracy, people in their seventies and eighties. For the most part retired and, for the most part, volunteers.
Vital to this lifecycle is pulling in younger people and training them to take your place before you fall off the perch. It’s like a whole ecosystem. It’s the Circle of Life, Golden Years Division.
Docents in the museums. Guides in the National Trust houses. Local history researchers and writers. You mostly have to be of a certain age to be into those things, and you mostly have to be retired to have time to do them. And you mostly have to have a decent pension to afford to do them as a volunteer.
I’m not a volunteer, but I reckon I get paid one hour in three. And I’m what passes for a kid in this world. It’s kind of nice to be in the apprentice class again.
Oh, the picture? No idea. I did a Google images search of “old ladies” and those four Victorian dames brandishing bananas was on the first page.
Posted: January 28th, 2015 under britain, personal.
Comments: 16
Comments
Comment from Stark Dickflüssig
Time: January 28, 2015, 11:34 pm
It’s a great source of both scholarship and tourism, and hence our biggest moneymaker (next to sheep, of course).
Mmm, kebabs.
Comment from Ripley
Time: January 29, 2015, 12:05 am
Step two of how to defend yourself against a man armed with a banana.
Comment from Stark Dickflüssig
Time: January 29, 2015, 12:15 am
“… now you twine your fingers in the hair on the back of your head, & forcefully shove your mouth down on the banana.”
Comment from Mrs Compton
Time: January 29, 2015, 12:46 am
“and once you’re finished with your banana you can peel and eat it!”
Comment from smedleythebarbarian
Time: January 29, 2015, 12:50 am
Banana for scale
Comment from Steamboat McGoo
Time: January 29, 2015, 12:58 am
That iconic photo is of the actual instant when the first four Western women in history ever saw a banana.
They were specifically assigned to determine if these strange new items were “ladylike”, and – if so – how to hold them, comport with them, peel them, and eat them in a delicate & mannerly way. Hence, the various postures and expressions on their faces.
Comment from Skandia Recluse
Time: January 29, 2015, 1:04 am
It’s the eyes. Look into their eyes. The one on the left is an alien. The one in the middle is gay. The one in the back is laughing, and the one on the right is interested.
We studied this at Ace of Spades HQ on last night’s ONT.
Always look at the eyes.
Comment from Deborah HH
Time: January 29, 2015, 1:53 am
Oh—The banana peel smell is so strong—it interferes with the delicate taste of the banana. So, my preference is to peel the banana, then cut it into coins on a small plate. Grate fresh black pepper all over and eat with a fork. Serve with hot buttered toast and black black coffee, which are complementary flavors. Delicious!
Comment from weasel tablet
Time: January 29, 2015, 2:53 am
O migod, Deborah! That sounds devine! I have the most terrible black pepper fetish.
Comment from gromulin
Time: January 29, 2015, 3:12 am
Cornwall just made my Bucket List:
http://thechive.com/2015/01/28/daily-afternoon-randomness-49-photos-406/63bwklf/
Comment from Deborah HH
Time: January 29, 2015, 3:40 am
Stoaty—peppered banana is one of my favorite breakfast treats. And I think I’m going to try growing a pepper vine (Piper nigrum) now that I have a bit of garden space and a small sun porch.
Comment from gromulin
Time: January 29, 2015, 4:45 am
My kids think I’m crazy because I eat melon with pepper.
Comment from tibby
Time: January 29, 2015, 5:13 pm
“we really need more energetic, younger people to join — people in their 50s and 60s.”
Sounds like our federal government –
Comment from mojo
Time: January 29, 2015, 10:47 pm
Black pepper on Cantelope is heaven
Comment from Timothy S. Carlson
Time: January 29, 2015, 11:00 pm
Oh man. I googled ‘old ladies’ and found this:
http://outhouserag.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451bbfa69e2011168d00075970c-500wi
WHAT. THE. HELL?!?!?
Comment from Timothy S. Carlson
Time: January 29, 2015, 11:02 pm
Speaking of pepper and shite on melons:
They put salt on their fruit and sugar on their soup/spaghetti here. Savages.
And there’s not a decent cheese to save your life.
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