I had always assumed that one of the advantages of growing old with someone was that their close vision would age along with you, and they wouldn’t be able to see the wrinkles !
I badly broke my ankle 3 years ago, and required surgery, a cast and physio to sort it out. The physiotherapist who discharged me asked whether, prior to the injury, I could walk for 15 minutes without stopping. I was 53 and in sufficiently good health to have sustained said injury cycling home from work (I still am cycling and walking for more than 15 minutes quite happily!)
I had to feel my toothbrush to see if it was wet because I couldn't remember whether I had brushed my teeth this morning. My usual morning routine was interrupted by a phone call, after which I went into the bedroom to dress.
When you are speaking 'as a younger person' (meaning - a younger member of the congregation, which is sadly true) in favour of a selection of old hymns, and realise what you sound like to the 30-something-yr-old local preacher (a youth!) who is giving you a wry look. I just need to be quiet. A lot.
My grocery charge was $25.25 the other day, and I started singing “In the Year 2525,” and then realized that none of the people there knew the song. And yet it was used in a Futurama episode not long ago, but the series may take for granted a more in-the-know audience…
We were going back to our cruise ship in Vigo Spain and there was a guy playing In the Year 2525 on the guitar with a lot of Spanish flair. Sounded great. Odd but great
I had to buy a new laptop as mine was no suitable for upgrading to Windows 11. When I took it in on Wednesday the young man who served me commented that my 2007 Office package was older than him 🤣
When you can tell the difference between the rattle of all the meds you are taking, and your joints groaning. And when you can tell the difference between hips and knees.
My young colleague was talking about drinking water today, and I had to admit that I'd never got into that habit. My gran started us on tea drinking very early, and we had orange juice in summer, and milk at school. But walking around with a bottle of water has never been a thing for me. It made me feel really ancient!
Having to watch a popular TV game show with the fambly over Christmas, Mrs RR and I found we didn't know who ANY of the 'celebrities ' on the panels were. Similarly, playing the game, 'Guess who I am' we were beaten hands down as, again, we didn't (apart from Stephen Spielburg) know who these 'famous people' were.
I would give examples but I can't remember any of them!
Having to watch a popular TV game show with the fambly over Christmas, Mrs RR and I found we didn't know who ANY of the 'celebrities ' on the panels were. Similarly, playing the game, 'Guess who I am' we were beaten hands down as, again, we didn't (apart from Stephen Spielburg) know who these 'famous people' were.
I would give examples but I can't remember any of them!
Oh dear .........
Oh I know. If in any celebrity lineup I know more than 1 in 5 I am amazed. And by "know", it means "Have heard of".
When I moved into the almshouse, there was some electrical equipment left near the sockets. I didn't know what it was, so I put it in a bag and hid it in a cupboard to think about later.
Just before Christmas I got a visit from the Trustees - they give a Christmas present to all their ladies. And they tested the fire alarms, and then they said: "Where's your care alarm?"
"My what?"
Turns out the electrical box is an alarm that connects directly to the Health Authority, in case of a fall or medical emergency. It comes with a pendant that you're supposed to wear.
So they got it set up, did a test to make sure it was connected - and now my name is down on the official list of frail old ladies!!!
I'm not a frail old lady - I'm about a generation younger than most of the other residents!
"When I was your age..." said (by me) to a primary school collective assembly just before Christmas. And then realising that, to them, the 1960s were ancient times. Positively prehistoric, in fact.
Also, going on a coach trip in the summer to visit a local venue, which had been given some money for combatting social isolation in the elderly after the pandemic. I sat there listening benignly as we heard the staff member explaining who they were and what they did. I actually thought "How nice, and I get to be here because I'm their vicar and I have accompanied them." And then realising, with the nasty shock, that I was actually 6 years older than their definition of an old person started at.
You sound like a man after David's heart; a friend in Newfoundland used to call him the Dormouse because he fell asleep at parties.
I greatly enjoy Richard Osman's House of Games, but if I recognise even one of the "famous faces", I reckon I'm doing well.
My excuse is that I spent 16 years in Canada being deprived of popular British culture.
alas, 'British culture' is an oxymoron.
Not at all. Cask Ale - almost unheard of outside this isle. But I think British Culture mostly lives in the sort of thing that Very British Problems on that Bookface thing posts. Ice cream in the rain on the sea front, insisting on queuing absolutely everywhere except the pub where one must under no circumstances form a visible queue, apologising when someone treads on your toes, singing Always look on the bright side of life when it goes tits up, utter filth on Radio 4 masquerading as the Antidote to Panel Games for the benefit of people who think they're above reading Viz - you know the sort of thing.
No harm in brushing them twice. I’m due a dentist visit this month to check on the state of my remaining teeth (all but four of the original set that replaced my baby teeth and therefore closing on 80 years old).
I now believe that our brains are set to erase when we go through doors. This the only way I can explain why I need to say what I am going for out loud or write down a list before leaving the house. If I fail to do these things it's very frustrating to find I've forgotten to restock the toilet paper in the bathroom even after three trips to the garage or even buy any at the store when that was the main reason I went shopping.
I now believe that our brains are set to erase when we go through doors. This the only way I can explain why I need to say what I am going for out loud or write down a list before leaving the house. If I fail to do these things it's very frustrating to find I've forgotten to restock the toilet paper in the bathroom even after three trips to the garage or even buy any at the store when that was the main reason I went shopping.
I think there are some objects that are more prone to being forgotten about than others. Toilet paper, lightbulbs and toothpaste are my main blind spots. Sometimes, it'll be my third or fourth visit to a shop before I remember.
With the lightbulbs, I always have to take the old one with me as I can never remember the wattage or fitting type.
Other items I buy when I forget that I've already bought them. I often end up with a surfeit of rice and frozen peas.
Comments
We were going back to our cruise ship in Vigo Spain and there was a guy playing In the Year 2525 on the guitar with a lot of Spanish flair. Sounded great. Odd but great
My vicar is younger than my youngest son! Even more confusingly, he is my superior as I am a recently-ordained curate.
I would give examples but I can't remember any of them!
Oh dear .........
Oh I know. If in any celebrity lineup I know more than 1 in 5 I am amazed. And by "know", it means "Have heard of".
Just before Christmas I got a visit from the Trustees - they give a Christmas present to all their ladies. And they tested the fire alarms, and then they said: "Where's your care alarm?"
"My what?"
Turns out the electrical box is an alarm that connects directly to the Health Authority, in case of a fall or medical emergency. It comes with a pendant that you're supposed to wear.
So they got it set up, did a test to make sure it was connected - and now my name is down on the official list of frail old ladies!!!
I'm not a frail old lady - I'm about a generation younger than most of the other residents!
You sound like a man after David's heart; a friend in Newfoundland used to call him the Dormouse because he fell asleep at parties.
I greatly enjoy Richard Osman's House of Games, but if I recognise even one of the "famous faces", I reckon I'm doing well.
My excuse is that I spent 16 years in Canada being deprived of popular British culture.
alas, 'British culture' is an oxymoron.
According to Mrs RR I'm in danger of being awarded the title, 'Grumpy old Scroat of the Year'.
Also, going on a coach trip in the summer to visit a local venue, which had been given some money for combatting social isolation in the elderly after the pandemic. I sat there listening benignly as we heard the staff member explaining who they were and what they did. I actually thought "How nice, and I get to be here because I'm their vicar and I have accompanied them." And then realising, with the nasty shock, that I was actually 6 years older than their definition of an old person started at.
Not at all. Cask Ale - almost unheard of outside this isle. But I think British Culture mostly lives in the sort of thing that Very British Problems on that Bookface thing posts. Ice cream in the rain on the sea front, insisting on queuing absolutely everywhere except the pub where one must under no circumstances form a visible queue, apologising when someone treads on your toes, singing Always look on the bright side of life when it goes tits up, utter filth on Radio 4 masquerading as the Antidote to Panel Games for the benefit of people who think they're above reading Viz - you know the sort of thing.
Switching on the electric blanket after you go back to bed with your morning cup of tea.
With the lightbulbs, I always have to take the old one with me as I can never remember the wattage or fitting type.
Other items I buy when I forget that I've already bought them. I often end up with a surfeit of rice and frozen peas.