Thursday, August 09, 2007

How to explain?

If I imagine my brain is like a bit of skirting board (bear with me on this one...) then the bit over there by the door has got an annoying itsy Tom 'n Gerryesque mousehole in it - and the most annoying thing is, it's getting bigger by the day. Not satisfactory. Keeping with the same analogy I think the rest of the skirting board is fine - the bit behind the sideboard has a cosy layer of dust and dross and most of the bits on show are wiped and clean. Ce la vie n'est ce pas?

This blog is in need of a little light relief - so here are 'The Happy Snappy Girls'.
Who were they? I don't know. You tell me
.
This 'mousehole' is the village history project. It is to be an exhibition and it has a deadline. It will not be a grand thing, more a work in progress - but this does not stop me from hauling out rusty graphic skills to make it coherant, visually interesting and professional looking. My co-conspirator, Doreen has been the driving force in retrieving information - of which we have reams, tapes, files and albums. I am slowly working my way through presenting them - remembering that people like pictures, line lengths should not be too long and Always Check Facts. So far so good.

However, daily, essential extra facts and pictures come winging my way. Small and vital in the scheme of things, but where will they go, this rushing tide of 'faces and places and things'?

That said, a large chunk of the village's history is now neatly displayed and today, because it was a tidy package, I moved on to more recent times and organised 'The Fallen'. If I look over my shoulder I see much more waiting in the wings.....so much information, pictures and words...still to do. It is slightly worrying. I am not panicking yet.

Just a slight frisson of unease........eeek!

13 comments:

Milkmaid said...

Love the analogy re brain and skirting board mine are of differing heights

Annie said...

My skirting board feels as though it has dry rot setting in this morning. A combination of a very busy week sewing and just one glass of wine with my tea last night.

Exmoorjane said...

My brain is exactly like this house - missing bits, uneven floors, gaps between ceilings and walls (in EVERY room), damp patches, rising damp, dry rot....scary innit?
Big deep breath - DO NOT PANIC. Never panic. Just run around and wave your hands in the air a bit and then pour a large gin.
jx

Chris Stovell said...

Tell yourself how much you've achieved, take a deep breath and you'll be ready to go on. Good luck.

Suffolkmum said...

Oh good luck Mountainear - I loved your analogies - I have every faith in you!

Anonymous said...

My skirting board's covered in sawdust.

Well written blog.

Crystal xx

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

best of luck - it sounds great and i loved the picture. have you been to the Eisteddfod? If not and you have the time it is fab.

Westerwitch/Headmistress said...

As Jane says Deep Breath and do not panic. Don't think of the project in it's entirety - break it down into manageable one day at a time bite sized pieces.

snailbeachshepherdess said...

here's one visitor to your exhibition ...where and when please.... shall I lug Nick along?
Have just been down through others...didn't you tape these people? Have got equipment you could borrow if not too late. Wonderful white flower montage.

Mutterings and Meanderings said...

The project sounds like a joy to do... and do it you will...

Our village school celebrated its centenary last year and this year, a book has been published of its history. It's everyone's history and is immensely popular..

Pondside said...

I look forward to hearing about the great unveiling. I'm sure it will be very well-received!
My brain is looking like the old shed leaning at 145 degrees at the side of the road!

Tattieweasle said...

I think this is fantastic! Wish every Village had one. That little frisson will just help you rise to the occassion and rise I am sure you will - longing to know how it goes!

Anonymous said...

You're braver than me. The people I know who have got involved with village history projects tell me they can become an obsession, occupying all your time and completely consuming you. And that they're susceptible to 'over-runs' - of the sort that make government IT and defence projects seem simple by comparison! That said, they're a lot of fun, so I shouldn't sound so negative. Enjoy!