Monday 6 February 2023

Being old.

Being old is what you make it.   Remember that all you youngsters of 70.  I never have a dull moment.   90+ is what you make  of it just as much as 20+  (apart from the lovers - thin on the ground at my age - in fact non-existent and in any case not fanciable any more than I am).

I never have to feel guilty about not cleaning (have a cleaner), not doing the garden (can;t get up my garden steps so have a gardener - who happens to make delicious crumbles and brings me one sometimes, not cleaning the windows (have a window cleaner(Colin cleans the outside once a month), not eating 'proper meals' (have a carer who brings my lunch every day and makes sure I am going to have a nourishing tea when she has gone. after her second visit).

Lots of friends call - sometimes just for ten minutes,sometimes for a couple of hours.   And I can read all the books I like, have a snooze when I like (yesterday I was asleep when my Sunday friends called - they looked through the window only to see me asleep in my chair - they knew I was fast asleep because my mouth was open!!) - popped down the road to see another friend and came back a bit later.

And - my new fad - I have become an avid 'weather watcher'; a perfect hobby for anyone who can't go out much and not at all in Winter when it just might be slippery.

What you need first of all is a good, South-facing, big window. A few trees within reasonable distance - I have two or three silver birch and a hazel about a hundred yards away- and the resolution to get up early (my carer comes at 7).

So, living as I do on the very Eastern edge of the Pennine Chain up the middle of the North of the Country, I can easily spot any weather coming in from the West.  (much of our weather comes from the West - much happier than when it comes in from the East (my computer room) when it is invariably colder, darker skies and signs that something a bit fiercer is coming.

The Silver Birches tell me whether it is windy or not.   The Hazels have catkins that appear early in the year and make their presence felt by waving in the breeze.   Between them they more or less indicate wind speed.

This morning, as it has been for the past week, the dawn was spectacular - pale apricot and moving slightly further round each week so that now, rather than rising at seven thirty just behind P's bungalow a short way up the road on the opposite side to me, it is now rising further into the East and if I draw back my blind when I get out of bed I see the first streaks.   By the time I get through to the sitting room and pull back the curtains - there it is just coming into view.   And this morning - another sunny one with enough breeze to blow those golden catkins about - for the first time the sun is going high enough to not shine into my eyes when I try to do the Mind Games in The Times (we can almost say the sun is 'high in the sky' at last.)

This morning I did see the rooks - but only just.   They were just coming over when I drew back the curtains.   They are much better weather watchers than me, living as they do in the tree tops and - at the first streak of dawn in the sky they are up, up and away.  By the end of this week they'll be away before I rise.

Sunset, at the other side of my window (and a little later every night) was a spectacular deep red for about five minutes last night (you have to catch it  quickly because it only gives you a treat for a short time).

So  plenty to look at.   And added to that - today my golden crocus are out = about two dozen of them.   What a joyful sight.

Enjoy your day.

25 comments:

the veg artist said...

We've had some lovely sunrises and sunsets here in South West Wales too, in the last few days. I'm lucky that I can see plenty of garden from the south side of my house, but that's at the back, so I see nature from the kitchen and bedroom, not so much from my living room! As you say, plenty to be interested in without being out in it!

Rachel Phillips said...

In old age a lot depends on what hand life deals for you and you have to then make the most of it at varying levels of achievement. I don't think anybody goes out to be a misery, or not to enjoy, but if they have been a moaner all their adult life then they aren't going to change much in old age and will continue thus. If one gets dealt the hand of no money, dementia, local authority adult social services, a care home, no family, chronic lung problems and the like then life is not going to be easy and those people deserve all the praise they can get if they still manage to enjoy life.

thelma said...

As Rachel says life is what you make it, and you Pat have such a happy outlook on life that it gladdens everyone who reads you. Simon has bees in his yellow crocuses, you can't keep a good bee or photographer down.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

You have a perfect outlook on life (both figuratively and literally)! -Jenn

Melinda from Ontario said...

When you're being alert to the subtle changes while watching the sun rise, you're actually practising 'mindfulness'. It's supposed to be very healthy for you both physically and mentally. I'm working on being more mindful myself these days.

Derek Faulkner said...

Your second paragraph describes a lifestyle that many people of a similar age to you would love to be enjoying, but, as Rachel says, it depends on what hand life deals you and more importantly, being able to afford the various services that you describe.

Ellen D. said...

You are a lucky woman, Pat! I admire how you make the most of the little moments around you.

Susan said...

Enjoying each day, as you do, is important at any age. Observing nature and watching seasonal changes is a great past time. I love the 4 distinct seasons in Massachusetts. Ageing is not always easy and requires making changes as we go. You've made great decisions and know how to live well.

DUTA said...

You definitely don't have to feel guilty at your age for not cleaning, gardening, etc..
There are ,however, plenty of people your age that either can't afford helping sevices or refuse help for some reason or another, that manage to deal with the problems of old age on their own, and still enjoy life .
Some of them consider 'mind games' a waste of mental capacity, some keep away from 'friends', and yet they live quite well. All kinds of people and situations on the stage of Life!

Barbara Anne said...

What a delightful post and a good reminder that life is what you make of it - at any age! You're an inspiration, Pat. Yes, you are!

I'm making good progress on a scrappy, happy Rail Fence quilt that will be for a baby girl who is due in March. Am now sewing the blocks together so it won't be long until I'll be contemplating border fabrics.

Hugs!

crafty cat corner said...

Lovely, lovely post, just the kind I like to read and proving that even if you just have a window to look out of there is plenty to blog about.
Briony
x

The Weaver of Grass said...

Agree absoltely Rachel and Derek - I don't underestimate how luckyI have been and I would also say that in the past I have met plenty of people both young mothers and elderly who have only a limited income and are not as lucky as I have been but I have known many who have been inspirational - even some with enormous difficulties. I have also met some with enough money to live an extravagant life who still find life difficult. I agree but still say that life is what you make of it to some extent. And I do contribute to various charities because I know I am fortunate.

hart said...

Crocus already? How wonderful.

Heather said...

I am actually enjoying old age and find that as long as one has reasonably good health, it has quite a few benefits. I am more mobile than you and can still do my own cleaning, shopping and cooking, all of which I count as exercise. There are days when i don't feel like doing it but usually after a short walk I feel better, and I am learning to pace myself.
It is a luxury to be able to please myself and have no responsibilities. I am grateful for my health and enjoy a simple life with simple pleasures, finding many things for which to be thankful.

Maria said...

Hello. Commenting for first time. I love reading your posts. Its such a delightful scene you describe. I will be 70 in a few days. May I age as gracefully as you. I am Carolina from Portugal.

P.S. sorry for my englush.

Joanne Noragon said...

Well, Pat, my windows face NW, so I get to watch the sun go down--later every day.

Debby said...

I am so envious of your flowers.

Gill - That British Woman said...

you are a breath of fresh air. Love the way you write.

Gill from Southern Ontario Canada, formerly from Cumbria.......

gz said...

Good observations, always something new to learn every day as my grandma said when in her late 90s!!
It's lovely reading your descriptions xx

Hilde said...

I can watch the sun rise from my dinner table - in December long after breakfast, now shortly after it, and I am looking forward to watching it with a cup of tea in my hand. WHen I used to go to our village baker at the same time every morning, I had a glorious view over the valley at the sun rising over the hills (or at the clouds or fog, of course):
Hilde in Germany

Cro Magnon said...

Our little street has gardeners who come every so often, for which we pay an annual fee. Yesterday I had just pruned the rose bushes in front of the house. One of the gardeners came by with his secateurs, gave the bushes a quick look, and seemed satisfied. I was expecting him to give me a scowl through the window!!!

Librarian said...

Hooray for golden crocus!
I am very much a weather (or sky) watcher, too. And because I try to be outdoors at least for a while every day (and now have to be outdoors in order to get to work, not working exclusively from home anymore), I make sure to know what to prepare for in terms of coats, shoes and so on. Do my things need to be waterproof or not? Can I afford to go without a woolly hat? Is this pair of shoes warm enough, or will I want an extra pair of socks?

Anonymous said...

I like the night skies, observing the phases of the moon and stars. It is such a vast constant, always has and always will be there, even long after each generation passes, and I find comfort in the fact it will always continue long after I'm gone too.
As part of my birthday celebration, husband and I are will visit an observatory in the outback soon for a detailed viewing. The Milky Way is spectacular given the right circumstances. Stars, sprinkled diamonds in black velvet skies- and I'm sure comforting in times of history when things have been tough, and something we all share though often take for granted.-Pam, Sth. Aust.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Oh Heather - how lovely to read your response - so gratifying. I still do bits of what I call 'pottering' and my cleaner only comes once a month. I do have lovely carers - private ones not through an agency but recommended by a friend - and they care for me very well (and are much, much less expensive than if I was to go into a Care Home which I am trying to avoid at all costs.

Thank you veryone for your thoughtful replies. It is cloudy today and I can't see my crocuses!! Yesterday the sun shone on them and they were clearly visible.

Granny Sue said...

Amen.