Topsy-Turvy in Our Times

I`m struck by how appropriate, in our time, are the multiple meanings given for topsy-turvy in the Merriam Webster Dictionary.

topsy-turvy

1: in utter confusion or disorder

2: with the top or head downward: upside down

The daily newspapers, nightly news and weekly/monthly news magazines chronicle for their audiences with vivid details the many ways world affairs are in disarray. Each day’s events seem to further chip away at our sense of peace and world order. 

Paralleling our topsy-turvy global situation, we find the North American growing appearance of the upside-down Christmas tree. This inverted version of the traditional Christmas decoration, is making its appearance in public buildings, city malls and family homes. In the business section of the Toronto Star (9/12/17) the article, “Upside-down tree trend growing strong’ appeared. Cassandra Szklarski, from the Canadian Press, highlighted this emerging fad, “Inverted pines and firs taking over social media are funky but pricey.”

Szklarski’s comments are evidenced by the growing novelty being featured on the popular website, Wayfair. ca. Wayfair.ca offers multiple upside-down trees which range in price from the reasonably priced, 3 foot Green Tear Drop at $60.99 to the 9 foot Silver Upside Down Christmas tree with 1000 warm, white LED lights for the hard to believe price of $959.99.

I don’t think I’ll be promoting the adoption of the upside-down Christmas tree anytime soon. However, the upside-down Christmas tree might be a fitting image of current times to keep in mind as 2017 slips away. Perhaps Time magazine might even consider featuring it on its annual year end cover.

Nancy Wales, CSJ