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NO KISS ME QUICK HAT (#SingingAsTheDarknessLifts 121)

NO KISS ME QUICK HAT

 

 

This morning the air is cold and brings the scent of bark. The birds are singing to welcome in the day, and one short daffodil holds its trumpet proudly aloft on the front lawn.

 

Alt text says this week’s photo is two women smiling for a selfie and indeed it is. It is Kath and I in a corridor in a hotel in Blackpool the night before a yarn show.

 

I have decided that Blackpool will be one of those places that is ‘snapshots in time’ for me, and this week I have added a cabaret singer in a hotel to my ‘album’. Staying away for Kath’s work saw us in a hotel in Blackpool for a couple of nights and on Friday night we wandered down for the onsite entertainment. We had not planned to do this and had no knowledge of anything other than there was going to be something happening. When we got there, we got the treat of a person singing a wonderful range of familiar and well-loved songs. It was great to be in the audience, to sing along, to throw out a few ‘woos’ as requested, and take time to just be in the moment. Kath even got to sing a line from Oom-Pah-Pah from ‘Oliver’ into the offered mic which got a round of applause.

 

There’s something uplifting about watching someone share their talents, and to enjoying the company of others and we went to bed later than planned with big smiles on our faces. There was bingo too, so I now have a blue bingo dabber at the ready just in case the opportunity for a game arises again soon.

 

In my snapshot album for this northern seaside town I now have this week’s cabaret set alongside my already gathered shots of a horse and cart ride and a rollercoaster experience. I have yet to buy a Kiss me Quick Hat or visit the tower which will please my sister as I think she wants us to visit there together one day. I am predicting that when this happens we will have chips. It seems I eat chips each time I go to Blackpool and this time we chanced upon a chip shop so good we went there twice!

 

Of course we did the main event which was the yarn show. It always delights me how many good conversations can be had in a hall that has been transformed by yarn vendors. I love hearing people’s stories and wisdom, and thoroughly enjoyed talking to a wonderful eighty-year-old who was making 2026 their year to learn brioche knitting. We talked about how good it feels to dress in what makes you feel good, the joy of choosing funky new glasses, and how fun it is to keep learning new things.

 

Here's a poem of mine that was published in Atrium this week which fits well with thought of seaside roller coaster rides...

 

ELECTRIC FENCES MOCK ME

 

Humpback bridges laugh

when I drive over them.

 

It’s there in every first fizz

of a sparkler being lit.

 

It’s in the carbon dioxide

of burst bubbles

rising from the rim

in glasses of champagne.

 

Rollercoasters tell me

time and again

I could have ridden the moment.

 

And that cartoon rabbit

is always handing me dynamite bundles.

 

It’s almost still there

right next to the gearstick

when I find reverse in car parks

on cold winter nights.

 

That tingle that rose

all the way up to my belly

when my hand brushed your knee

and the talking stopped.

 

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