Happy Christmas To Us! To You Dear People....

Here we sit - sat under our favourite old tree in The Green Park, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire. Thing is they have seats scattered around the place and boy do we ( I say 'we') need seats nowadays. Lilley's new best walk with benefits - large, handsome, boy dogs. She can run and run and shout at me as I amble. Aaah....

Let us begin...

And so- age appropriate gone to pot - again.  Or gone somewhere but, like the bad penny, turns up eventually 🤩

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I’ll go straight in - Rag ‘n Bone Man - remember him you lot of a certain age?

We kids used to dash out to feed a carrot to the lovely shire-type horse pulling the Rag n’Bone man’s cart. Always well cared for and loved was the horse.   

He was real, by the way. Not made him or his horse up.

Nothing easy about living then. But every neighbour knew each other, looked out for each other.  Totally different to today’s lot.  Most have no idea how to socialise.

And that’s me done.  Proper done, I’d say.

Yes but no but …Where am I? Who am I? What am I on about?

I’m reminiscing like a boring old’un. You do know I am a boring old’un?

And that’s how to start your Christmas greetings show, folks - bring it down real low 🤨

Grooming day. Goodness we have fun. Can you tell? We don't, we really don't. It's one long fight but like all good divas she knows she's beautiful. She is...

I’m so sorry I’ve been missing again.  There’s no great reason except to admit - I’ve succumbed to a bout of the depressions.  And I feel darned guilty about it.  For I have nothing to be depressed about do I? If you only knew…

But of course I don’t.  Absolutely I don’t.  After all - me and her - we’re set up. Got a house and all that. Luckier than a lot of folk.   

But we are lonely.  So often we are.  As lonely as I’ve known this Christmas.  Like folk are going backwards into the ghostly shadows.  Mysterious works (or words) manoeuvring in the background.

Aside:  I do know one ‘person’ who is working like an absolute good’un on behalf of us all - keeping us safe and sacrificing most of their own festivities.  I don’t drink but will raise a metaphorical cuppa to those folk who are working through the ‘merrymaking’ whilst a large percentage of this country sinks into a mindless haze of ‘too many sherry’s’.

(The above ‘person’? The local Police as many of you well know and in case anyone hadn’t realised.  Raise your glass folks!)

And begin…

Please do tell - have I been sleepwalking into some kind of crime syndicate and I don’t even know?  Not to my knowledge but you never know about folk. See, once again people are shifting position out of sight and reach.

Because we really are vulnerable, you know - we ageing childless. And I, like a few of you, have barely any family. My cousins make a good deal of effort to keep in touch and I’m the guilty party - I don’t make enough.  I’m very sorry A and G 😔

(Beggar and wotsits - I said I’d get a photo of the three of us in this website and I, of course, forgot ‘big’ camera.  Braincell asleep at wheel again).

And there you go folks - justmeandher granting our kindest, bestest wishes upon you.  You’re welcome 😇

This is a beggar of a festivity. 🎄🎄

I’ll start again..

I was going to sleep and looking utterly exhausted. Day to day life is sometimes, isn't it? Sometimes?! Comes the cry back....

…….. …………..

Ageing without children - such an easy target.  Such a pesky subject.

And - running with the theme - I’ve been seriously looking at warden controlled apartments or bungalows.  I believe it would be safer for me in my position of awoc person.  It won’t be ideal, I’ll give you that and it won’t be what I want. Just p’raps what I need?

Responding to ‘Ageing Better’ article about us not progressing re: continuing to live longer (we’re not, apparently)  I’m not surprised.  To say we communicate, communities, etc etc we do not. In small circles maybe but the same old folk in every one it becomes too chummy.  The olders who are alone remain alone quite often. Walking into a group full of strangers at an old age ‘do’ is intimidating. Especially if they’re all ‘chummed up’. I’m waiting for the usual hue and cry of ‘get joining’ but it is not the be all.  Walking groups for infirm or physically disabled /wheelchair I personally haven’t seen and striding out like a good ‘un is not for all.  I’ve started many a group but with so many saboteurs around I think not. True. Otherwise yes - I’d be delighted to start one. But it seems I attract off-kilter folk who have oars to stick somewhere.  Usually somewhere in me (unfortunate image I’ll give you that but it is what it is).

Another thing is the art of welcoming new folk who join - it can be a real downfall for many. Social skills can be lacking in local leaders.  Sorry to be the Debbie Downer but somebody did bring it up.

You have to welcome people and guide them towards the one person who can help those shy folk.

I can’t do the leading anymore. I become some sort of target for many (don’t ask) so sod it - not again.  But leading a group is quite the art.

I’d like to start a general awoc type open group on zoom and online again or even in person, but I hesitate because of the destroyers.  We’ll see. Will let you know.

What’s that? Why me?

Apparently I attract them, sweetie.  Just so you know.  Let’s put it this way - there’d be some who wouldn’t be joining!

People - it’s very mysterious and hidden and It’s a thing. Been going on all sides of the Atlantic for years. And look how vulnerable we childless are?  No family, no one …

I’ve told you before - it’s a funny old world and you have to learn how to ride those pesky waves - when you’re ageing without children.

That’s your tip of the day - I thank you.

Lovely afternoon walk with sit downs'. I don't know what more anyone wants. My bliss I'll tell you that... and Lilley's with her bestest human (after me obviously!!) Marie. I think we'd been to an eaterie at somewhere remote 😳. I must politely ask Marie if she would be willing to write us a piece about some of her work and how it can affect vulnerable folk - like many of us. Obviously she must be very discreet but a generalised piece - perhaps how to keep safe? Sort of thing …or maybe she could ask one of her colleagues who ‘specialise’ in safety of vulnerable folk? Maybe we could arrange an online zoom meet? I’m getting ambitious to say it’s Christmas aren’t I?

…………………….

Frankly it can be a mess - I say ‘can be’ not always, obviously.

Mops brow 😰 I got in a tangled beggar of a sweat there didn’t I?

Oh and, by the way, the commoonity ( my way of demeaning some of the stupid little so and sos)  love to keep an eye on the ‘suspicious person’.  Yes I know - I have a tale to tell.  And sell…

Listen - I have lived and worked in Lincolnshire since 1972.   My own business - twice - plus our hotel at the start.

In that case why aren’t I jumping about like the Duracell  Bunny?  Sorry Matron. I’m done. And I will tell - most of it at next outing. Prepare yourselves.

I promise we’ll (I say ‘we’) attempt to liven it up before Christmas.  What are we doing by the way? Well, for the very first time in my life we have not a jot of anything. It’s absolutely fine because I don’t always  enjoy other folks’ celebrations, as you know.  But it feels shameful somehow.  To be on your own with no one.  Friends have moved away, their focus on their family,  perhaps because of illness.  And I’ll be fine as I always am. And, of course, we moved away. I’ve made no effort, so far, to join anything. It might be a local ‘oldie’ yoga thingie. Sitting. That’ll do for me! A lovely lady called Helen runs a good belter of a group but it is a tad energetic for me sometimes. I mean to say - when you say ‘exercise’ you don’t mean moving body parts? Oh, you do - well in that case - I might have to pass. Listen I can’t be expected to huff and puff. Just the once then …

We are  alright and a lot luckier than many. But I think of all the many Christmases spent with a spare ‘friend’ or other at our Christmas table who was alone.  And I’d do that again should that situation occur.

But I tell you this - and stand back - I will turn to my ancestral religion ( 🕎 ) as soon as I am ready to do so and there is a lot to learn. But soon - I might be gone a while. There again - it depends. The rate my brain ‘learns’ I should think I’ll be dead before I’m anywhere near the full works but it is the intent that matters.

Whatever - weren’t expecting that, were you?

So, Our Christmas message:

A corny one but heartfelt.

We are a tardy pair who don’t post as often as we should.  Neglecting our dear, lovely readers and faithful is not good enough.

But please know this - without you we (I say ‘we’ 🐶) would be bereft.  So you’d think wouldn’t you?  I can’t be making excuses as not good enough but know that we care about you and need you probably more than you need us.

Let us all pray or whatever your preference for those who are way worse off than so many of us.

Let us send love and support to warzone countries - fighting their own determined battles.

Let us wave a Hi 👋 to each other with a sprinkle of stardust. 💫.

And let us let the world know about us, as we peep through the curtains into the New Year.

Another one coming soon honeybuns- just to cheer you up even more!

‘How is that even possible Phyllis?’

‘Trust me Doris - she won’t be cheering us up 🥹

Byeee 😍 😚

I've finished with a sunny autumn afternoon at one of her parks. Lots of seats so we can take rests and boy do I need 'em.

Have a very lovely Christmas peoples and enjoy yourselves merrily. We are on our own this year but we honestly don't mind at all. Quite enjoy it actually.. We'll be 'in' before the New Year to harrass you all again.

Love you all sweeties xxxxx

😚 😚 😚