Saturday 24 April 2021

Old? Me?

 Yes, I'm afraid so.   I can no longer call myself 'middle aged'.   I have to face up to facts and I can no longer even stand unaided - I need some kind of support to stop me wobbling and falling over.    But keep going?   Yes I shall do that as long as I can.   I have been advised by my Physio not to get an electric 'scooter/wheel chair in order to get around.   I would be able to get from A to B in one but there would still be the problem of walking when I got to B and that I couldn't do without Priscilla.   Added to which, being forced to walk with Priscilla keeps my legs moving and that is so important.

So, with this in mind Priscilla and I went early this morning for our walk 'round the block'.   It has got nicer as the day has gone on.   It was cloudy, but  now bright sunshine, so we shall shortly go out into the back garden and sit in the sun for a while with my book (Michael Palin's 'Sahara' for the third reading - and am enjoying it just as much third time round.)

What do people do who don't garden and don't read?  I am sure there are other hobbies (golf?) but I would find life very dull without books.   I love the way Sue in Suffolk searches out the books she wishes to read and orders them from the Library.   Librarians love people like Sue - it makes life interesting for them rather than just the boring day to day usual things.

The News about Covid in India is dreadful and the scenes from there are quite terrifying.  We must all hope that it is not a new virulent strain which will sweep through again.   It is feeling so good to be gradually emerging from the long period of Lockdown.   I wonder whether we will feel able to go back to being exactly how we were before Covid struck or will some things have changed for ever?   Time will tell.

33 comments:

Derek Faulkner said...

I think that we have moved on from blaming the government and anybody else in respect of Covid, it's all down to Joe Public now to act sensible and help maintain the current downward spiral.
As for India, let's face it one has only to look at the squalid and over-crowed conditions that those people live in to understand why Covid is so rampant there, it's a disease paradise.
Yet another cloudless, dry and sunny day here with a chilly breeze.

the veg artist said...

It is such a lovely day here, and we are planting 2nd earlies in pots, getting compost into the pots ready for greenhouse tomatoes and marigolds (keeps bugs off the toms), and pricking out kale seedlings. We lead such exciting lives!
The scenes from India are heartbreaking. Crematorium equipment melting from non-stop use, mass funeral pyres, no oxygen and countless, countless deaths. This has been a terrible thing for the world.

Regina M. said...

Old? You? Not in spirit....sorry to hear you're unable to stand unaided...but know you're independent and courageous so will manage very well. I too love reading as well as gardening. Tried hitting a golf ball and found the combination of missing it too often and trudging all over the land in the hot sun awful. I'm peeking out my window frequently watching my plants begin to flower. Awful for India....a tragic nightmare. Keep on, Weaver, you're a terrific model! All the best -from the base of the mini-mountain in Maine.

Anonymous said...

I think it's good advice to keep walking as long as you can without risking a fall. I stopped reading novels about 30 years ago. It seems crazy now to consider how long it's been, but somehow going for my masters degree in literature absolutely turned off my love of reading. Having to contemplate themes and ideas for papers while reading made books work instead enlightening pleasure. So, I began to focus on other things... I learned about flowers, clouds, and atmospheric optics. I fell in love with photography and began to see the world in a whole new way. I would love it if I had the attention span to read a novel, but that's long gone.
Take care there and stay well and safe. Yes, India is very scary news.

busybusybeejay said...

We are moving house next Tuesday and a friend has asked me why are we taking lots of books with us.I love to be surrounded by books and have collections.All Iris Murdoch,Philip Roth,Rose Tremain,Ian McEwan and loads more.She just couldn’t understand it.

CharlotteP said...

Maybe your body is old, but you are getting fitter, and you are young and sharp in your mind - both positives!

Debby said...

I think that it is always just best to look at facts straight on and then decide what you are going to do about it. You are doing that in your customary sensible fashion. However, I would not give up hope that once it is warm and you're able to walk more that you will gain strength and balance. Being house.ound in winter makes it so very difficult to get oneself back in condition. My best thoughts are with you today!

Terra said...

Reading and gardening, love those activities. I do wonder as you said, what do retired people do if they don't care to read? I am a retired librarian and love to visit other people's lives in novels and memoirs, etc. It makes my world bigger, as do my Zoom meetings. You are right to continue walking, your spirit is young.

Rachel Phillips said...

What other people do behind closed doors is one of life's mysteries. What pandemics do is another.

Sue in Suffolk said...

My Grandma was old at 50, my Mum was old at 60, I'm hoping not to be old until at least 90!
and you have such an active mind so you're not old yet either!

Gerry Snape said...

Pat...reading and gardeniong...my life at the moment...grand!!

Gerry Snape said...

Gardening!!!...must slow down when printing!!

Wendy said...

I'm a librarian and can tell you that people ordering books is just one of the ordinary day to day things and doesn't make life any more interesting - it's just one of the usual boring things and means more time on the computer looking at a screen. It's easier for us when people come in and choose their books from the shelves.

Travel said...

Keep moving, as much as you can. If a power chair would help you get out more, ask for one.

Tasker Dunham said...

My wife as an OT has always maintained it's not a good idea to get any aid gadgets until unavoidable, otherwise you don't use is, and lose it. True even for much younger people.

Heather said...

I am old on the outside but still young on the inside! I try to remember how old I am and not expect myself to do as much as I once did. I have treated myself to a 'Priscilla' with a bag and basket for shopping, and am using it daily now as it has helped make walking easier and my posture while doing so has improved.
The situation in India is horrifying and so distressing. We must all keep taking precautions until we have irradicated the virus from the UK. Having another surge of infections just doesn't bear thinking about.
Enjoy your walks in the sunshine - as long as it lasts.

Brenda said...

And there are those who say COVID is not real...avoid shots and masks...amazing to me how that can be.

Debby said...

Some people are choosing to be willfully ignorant.

The Furry Gnome said...

Yes, reading and gardening have given me too a great deal of pleasure over the years.

Joanne Noragon said...

I believe things will never be our "normal", but will be just fine to the generation that communicates with texts, or less.

Penny said...

A terrible plague, not just India but here in Australia the islands to our north. Papua nuginea for one. I am younger than you Pat and think you are wonderful. I am getting more decrepit by the minute but still managing our walks on the beach, somehow.

Bonnie said...

I don't think we will ever go back to exactly like we were before covid. Many things will seem to have gone back and some things will be changed, maybe forever. I think people and businesses have learned new ways of doing things in this past year and some of that will change our "old normal".

You are definitely young at heart and in spirit. That makes a positive difference and it shows. I only hope I can be as young as you when I am your age!

Mary said...

Hang in there dear Pat. Remember that healing takes time, often longer than we want, but soon or later with slow exercising and time passing you will most likely be stronger, and hopefully more steady. Just don't overdo things, take it slow.

No, the world will never be the same again, I'm reading that everywhere. Will it be better, I doubt it. Will it be different, oh yes in so many ways. I'm in that group mouthing words such as, "I'm glad I'm this age and was able to enjoy the good years of life." For now it's just one day at a time. . . . . . my biggest hope is that I can get home to England at least once more. We're now cancelling our May trip - too much going on. The last straw was yesterday when our Heathrow hotel sent an email telling us the they are now a government 'quarantine hotel' and sorry but they have to cancel our reservations!

I haven't really seen photos from India but do realize they are going through hell - so terribly sad.

Cro Magnon said...

I've just heard a presenter on LBC radio saying that he walked through Old Compton Street yesterday evening, and could hardly move for the huge mask-less crowds. As he said; if this doesn't cause another London spike, he would be amazed.

Poor India. When you see their everyday street scenes, it not surprising that the virus would get out of hand. It's like Old Compton Street everywhere!

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Yes, it's good advice to maintain as much mobility as you can - use it or lose it. Your comments about librarians reminds me of the woman who drove the mobile library which my mother used, she could somehow gauge exactly what kind of books people might like and could recommend something for each reader, be they retired judge or seven-year-old child.

Midmarsh John said...

Good that you are able to take some exercise - good for muscles, heart and calorie burning as well as general well being.

On the library subject - when in my late teens (1960's) Grimsby had a record lending library. At that time I was interested in exploring the works of 20th Century classical composers. There were no general lists of composers available so the gentleman in charge of that library researched for me and typed a list of them and what they had available for borrowing.

happy hooker said...

Your post about keeping active with Priscilla reminded me of a man I used to see with his walker. He always stopped for a chat if I was gardening. He'd had a fall and damaged his spine, so walked twice a day round the block, or as far as he could. I haven't seen him since the first lockdown, so I assume he's moved or died, but he was an inspiration. Keep moving, a little and often is the key. The situation in India is so scary and sad. xx

Tom Stephenson said...

From A to B - and back again...

Angela said...

I'm no good at gardening. I cannot sow - hut I love to sew!

The bike shed said...

Books are essential - gardening much less so - and ad for golf...ugh.. What is it they say ' A good walk spoiled...' But then they also say ' each to their own'.

Susan said...

Each of us will find our new normal. Change is the reliable constant. Your motivation and dedication to walking daily is impressive. Would weight bearing exercises help increase muscle strength to make walking easier? A relative was told to get a stationary bike and slowly increase tension. This worked for him. He also uses B-12 lozenges for energy production. Another variant causing havoc in India is very concerning. Today I heard the US is sending vaccine to India. Croquet, badminton, tennis, gardening, alpine skiing and sailing are a few of my favorite activities. Casual entertaining with friends and family is also much enjoyed.

The Weaver of Grass said...

What intereting comments and pearls of wisdom you have left today. Thank you to you all - they make such interesting reading and such food for thought. Too numerous to mention individually but how sensible your comments are.

thelma said...

India is probably the saddest thing happening today. People dying, people panicking as they hunt for oxygen, all we can do as a world, is supply them with the necessary things for their survival.
I find embracing old age as another adventure is perhaps the most definitive thing to do and something you do so well Pat. Do take care.