The randomness behind "Purple Ramblings"...

I have on occasion been asked what is the inspiration behind the name ‘Purple Ramblings’. Well for those who asked, here it is....


Warning - Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat that doesn't go and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only eat bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers
But maybe I ought to practise a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old and start to wear purple.

This poem is my inspiration... The ‘Purple Ramblings’ are the beginnings of my impending eccentricity...

I have listed a few examples as proof that I am well on my way:

1. My lack of respect for matching colours. It is often noted that my colours don't match. I will happily wear a pantone spectrum of clothes and some how manage to pull it all together. Although I am often told ‘somehow YOU made it work’ which leads me to believe that maybe it isn't working after all, but people are so used to it from me that it is accepted. Do I care?? Err... Nah.

2. I stopped 'doing my hair' years ago. So much so that on the occasions that I notice it looking exceptionally shabby and I am with friends I have become offended by their disregard and blatantly negligent behaviour in not pointing it out. Apparently it has become so common place for my hair not to be 'did' that people don't even realise when it is unacceptable.

3. Lack of nutrition in my diet. I am known for my love of one main food group. Sugar. I have spent days eating purely sweet things. Breakfast, lunch and dinner have been of the sugary, delicious variety and I make no apologies. In the name of 'health' I have made an effort to reign this in. I once went away and had more Haribos then actual clothes in my suitcase. I have also been known to have more Haagen Dazs then food in my freezer.

4. My penchant for randomly singing out loud and talking to myself. It is borderline tourettes. People in the office I work in are constantly amused. People on public transport, not so much. Friends and family tend to ignore it. I find myself apologising A LOT!

5. Owning probably more shoes then clothes. I am more then happy to wear the same clothes everyday. Jeans and a white top. Clean and simple. Laundered on a regular basis of course. But the shoes must tell a story. They must be fabulous, flamboyant, awe inspiring, hard to walk in, jealousy inducing pieces of amazing art work. Obviously not every single pair, but I do like a conversation starter.

6. 90% of my clothes have never been ironed. I don't iron. Unless absolutely, unavoidably necessary. For example if something has been crushed into a ball, in a bag, under a sofa for a number of months... Although if hung for long enough i'm sure the creases would fall out, so if I had the time this way would still be preferable to ironing....

So this is the story behind the 'Purple Ramblings'... 'Purple' as an ode to my older even more eccentric self. And 'Ramblings' because that is what I do. Ramble...