Friday 3 October 2014

Keeping the old brain active.

This afternoon friend W and I started the first of a session of classes.   There will be a class on a Thursday afternoon (the art and literature of the English Countryside) and a class on a Friday afternoon (Dear Diary with a Yorkshire accent).

This afternoon we looked at the Diary of Faith Gray, a woman who lived in York in the eighteenth century.   It makes fascinating reading charting her life, the birth of her seven children and also a catalogue of the good works she became involved in.   She was obviously interested in keeping children off the streets and helping them to learn some kind of trade so that they could earn a living.

Driving home afterwards we discussed why we go to these classes.   We obviously do not remember everything we hear, read and discuss, but it does give us a look at peoples' lives and it does mean that (while we can) we are getting out and getting involved with other people.   The same will be true of the art and literature class which begins next week.

So yes, it is worth it.   Should we live to be really old (!!) and lose our mobility, then will be the time when we may have to stay in.   In the meantime - we need to get out amongst folk and keep learning.   If you don't use it you lose it.

Incidentally, whilst I was out, that sneaky farmer used his chain saw (which I had expressly forbidden him to do because of his balance problem) to saw down three dead  fir trees in the front garden.  In the centre of the largest was a nest which looked suspiciously like a robin's nest.  I hope it was the one who built in the watering can earlier in the year - do you remember the farmer inadvertently picked up the can and disturbed Mrs. Robin and she never returned to her eggs.

8 comments:

MorningAJ said...

I think we should try to keep learning for as long as we can - never mind all the social aspects of attending classes. The diary one sounds fascinating.

Sue in Suffolk said...

Diaries of ordinary people are a real look at the past.
I wonder if mine, the written one that is, will survive for a few hundred years.
I'm sure that computer blogging will be long lost

Heather said...

I don't go to classes to learn but do read many books on various subjects which interest me. It is good to keep one's brain active as long as possible.
Was The Farmer wearing a guilty expression when you got home? My husband, who is 86, still likes to wield a pickaxe which scares me no end. Boys will be boys!

angryparsnip said...

I think it is wonderful that you have a friend who takes classes with you. That makes it always so much more fun.
But you are right all we can do to keep the mind working is important.

cheers, parsnip

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Oh, Pat, I DO hope it was the nest of the watering can robin!

And Thank You for stopping by to visit my blog. :) maureen & josephine-cat

Cro Magnon said...

Mobility and mental activity are the two essentials for a healthy life. This is why couch potatoes are couch potatoes!

mrsnesbitt said...

Making use of classes keeps them going pat. I attended a pottery class this year - would you believe only 3 turned up - and it was free!

Mac n' Janet said...

Diaries are fascinating! Learning is good for the brain and the soul.