My imagination often takes me on a trip into the past. Sometimes the journey is planned and many times I happen upon a time because it cannot be avoided. Here are 10 ways I teleport back in time*.
*Metaphorically. I’m a writer not a magician or scientist.
- A gravel path. Nothing transports me into the Regency era quicker than walking along a gravel path. The crunch under my brown ankle boots reminds me of Lizzie Bennet out for a walk and brightening her fine eyes or Emma Woodhouse out and about playing matchmaker. Excuse me, a moment. I think that might be Jane Austen up ahead…
. - Lighting a candle. Not super original, I grant you, but a candle remains a classic imagination time traveling device. Is it even possible to light a candle and not have bonnets, nightgowns, and creaky wood floors come to mind?
. - Baking with ginger. This one might be a bit niche but every time, and I do mean every time, I bake gingerbread anything I may as well be standing in a pioneer cottage in front of a fireplace or next to a Victorian cast iron stove. There’s no helping it. This also applies to shortbread.
. - Wearing wool mittens. On cold wintery days when the wind and snow dances around, wool mittens are a cozy and instant throwback to Little Women and the American civil war. Who do you become Meg, Jo, Beth or Amy March? It’s Jo for me with a little Beth tossed in. I hope I will bump into Laurie while I’m outside freezing my mittens off.
. - Frankincense incense. I am always intrigued by the idea of incense so when I saw little Frankincense incense cones it was mandatory I buy some. The downside is that not everyone loves the smell as much as me. The upside is that I become an ancient Egyptian time traveler whenever I light one. Forget the commercial art on the living room walls, my imagination sees only colourful and golden wall paintings covered in hieroglyphs.
. - Brewing nettle tea. Yes, my nettle tea comes prepackaged in little bags but try to tell me I’m not an ancient Celtic craftswoman as I drink it. Or maybe don’t waste your time because I won’t believe you. It’s nettles after all and so of course I’m an ancient Celtic lady who brewed a large batch in a cauldron that magically resembles a glass mug.
. - Brown ankle boots. I mentioned my ankle boots already but owning generations of this style have become a sort of defining uniform for me. Yes, the zipper is a modern invention but they work as old button and lace ones would have. As I glance down at my feet flicking one in front of the other I feel like a heroine from any time period one hundred years prior. My speed and constant strides allow me a glimpse of marching in an ancient Roman army as well.
. - Soup’s on. There is something timeless about chopping mountains of vegetables and making a large pot of soup. The simple, yet endlessly versatile, dish has nourished people through the ages and holds a warm and almost magical spot in my mind. Soup can transport me with a mere spoonful to a Victorian sick bed or a peasant humbly eating in an Iron Age roundhouse.
. - Forests. Nature is a scenic backdrop that would be easily recognized and understood by people throughout time. Walking in the woods where modern landmarks are out of view, there is nothing between the past and present but memories. The roots of trees grow deep and I feel I could stumble upon a cave person, a medieval hunter, or someone tapping maple trees in the 17th century. The forest acts as a time traveler’s dream offering escape to a myriad of imaginative destinations.
. - The lost art of writing. The scratching of fountain pens is mildly annoying to my senses, I admit. However, as soon as I get in my groove with the heavy flow of ink (blots and all) and let the scratching fall in time, I am no longer holding a pen but a quill. Scratch scratch scratch, is a welcome relief from my active thumbs typing. In fact, having typed this I think I might go and handwrite a grocery list. I think soup and nettle tea are on the menu…
Well, there you have it. Those are only ten of the ways my mind imagines itself into another time period. How about you? Did any of these resonate with you? Please let me know in the comments on Facebook or Instagram.
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Published November 29, 2023.