Dear Wonderful Reader,
Lets talk carousel, ferris wheels, and teacups. I don’t know about you but I have this growing obsession with carousels, ferris wheels, and anything carnival/circus/fair themed. I just find them so nostalgic, sentimental and meaningful.
There is just something about them that reminds me of childhood, innocence, and lost time. They take me back to a place that I long to go to. Maybe its their fantastical designs and whimsical colors that take me to fairy lands and revive the sense of wonder I enjoyed as a child.
“Nostalgia – it’s delicate, but potent. In Greek, “nostalgia” literally means “the pain from an old wound.” It’s a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone. This device isn’t a spaceship, it’s a time machine. It goes backwards, and forwards… it takes us to a place where we ache to go again. It’s not called the wheel, it’s called the carousel. It let’s us travel the way a child travels – around and around, and back home again, to a place where we know are loved.”
―Don Draper, Mad Men“
“I felt so damn happy, . . . I don’t know why. It was just that she looked so damn nice, the way she kept going around and around, in her blue coat and all.”
―J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye
Maybe it has something to do with how they spin round and round, and up and down. I find their movement patterns so metaphorical and representative of life, and aging.
“And the seasons they go ’round and ’round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game.”
― Joni Mitchell, The Circle Game
Life goes on…
Works that I like that feature carousels and ferris wheels and all that good stuff: (Click on each link for more information!)
Mad Men- The Wheel, Season 1, Episode 13 (2007)- TV Show
Merry Go ‘Round by Kacey Musgraves- music video
Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy- music video
Hurt by Christina Aguilera- music video
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (1951)- novel (highly recommend it!)
Ferris Wheel by Marie Digby- song
The Following three music albums don’t explicitly mention carousels or ferris wheels but they’re so nostalgic in this way…
b. Made of Bricks by Kate Nash (2007)
C. Electra Heart by Marina and the Diamonds (2012) (Love this album, but be warned it’s a little dark!)
P.S. Please share with me any works that feature the aforementioned entities.
Enjoy…
4ever21christina 
May I suggest the Merry-Go-Round Museum, located in Sandusky, Ohio? I have been there before and it is well worth the visit if you happened to find yourself in the area.
Also located in Sandusky is Cedar Point Amusement Park, where the world’s only known haunted carousel horse can be found in the park’s own museum. Strange, I know.
Wow! thats a great suggestion. I didn’t know that there was a museum only dedicated to merry-go-rounds. Thats so cool. And how weird thats its actually located in Ohio, where I was born. This will certainly go straight to my bucket list. Thank you =]
You are welcome!
I believe there is a museum in Paris devoted to the carnival. And also several carousels dotted around the city including one near the Eiffel tower
Just in case you are ever in France. X
Oh wow, that sounds so amazing, and I would love, love to go one day. You’re right, I have been seeing many photographs by this epic ferris wheel thats located next to the Eiffel Tower and it looks divine. Thank you Shazza =]
First smile of the morning is from your post. There was a time when these were the most exciting, the only thrill rides available.
Thank you :). I’m glad you liked it!
Sounds simple it’s always lovely to look at things that remind u of. a good past 😊
Hahahah so deep! Thanks lovely. Why haven’t you written in a while? I miss reading your rumblings…