Tinkers!

I just discovered that the word "tinkers" ... in Ireland and other places, has a very negative connotation. I always viewed it as meaning "traveler" or "to fiddle around with electronics or other stuff." It's also a software program. The Internet is a marvel of things before unknown!

Now, I've gone and made a whole music blog at myspace, called "Soul Tinkers." Oy. What to do, what to do. I guess I'll leave it be, as it is supposed to be a play on my nickname "tink" and the word "tinkers" ... as in "travelers."

Hm.

The reason I got wondering was from Pete Townshend's blog, wherein he referenced his mother's family history, noting that the family was descended from "tinkers" and it was apparent in that post, that "tinkers" was not something looked well upon. So, I did look it up. Apparently, it was not originally a necessarily negative thing, for the tinkers were people in Ireland who traveled from place to place in caravans of a sort, smithing, selling wares, sometimes begging. Gypsies, as it were.

This day, the tinkers seem to be similar to how homeless populations would be viewed here in the U.S. Most in the U.S., however, would not be homeless by choice. I know, I was "homeless" for 8 months with 3 young children. Over 2 million now homeless in America. Many families. But, homelessness will be for another blog post!

I have to stop thinking of the negative connotation every time I see my name! "TINK" lol I'll look at it backwards now "KNIT" ... and knitting is a good thing. :o) The nickname did come from a sweetheart of a friend who was seriously schizophrenic. She just felt and saw life in another parallel. Sometimes, that view bled over into the now and she could not cope well. Medication did help her. A lot. It wasn't a name that came from Disney's Tinkerbelle. But, she's a fine fairy in her own right. :o)

Peace & love folks,

Tink