Hi everyone
This is the first blog in the series, Tell Us About it, which is a monthly combined blog linking bloggers from all over the world including Gail from Is This Mutton, Jill from GrownUpGlamour, Debbie from Deb’s World and Mary Katherine from MK’s Adventures in Style.
Our first subject is Time, which is a huge one and at first I thought I’d look at how telling the time has changed over the years. My recollection of my childhood is there were clocks (of the analogue kind) in nearly every room: alarm clocks in bedrooms tick-tocked their way through the night, some of my friends had a grandfather clock in the hall, there was a clock in the kitchen for my mother to time her cooking, along with one of those wind-up timers that let you know when your cake was ready to take out of the oven, and in the sitting room on the mantelpiece we had an old travel clock chiming the time hourly.
This was the clock and that’s a photo taken on my parent’s honeymoon in 1945. I remember it was my father’s role to wind it every week and move the minute arm back, as it always was a little fast.
And, of course, everyone had a wrist-watch that told the time in exactly the same way as the clocks in the house did, with a minute and hour hand.
But now? We do not have a single clock in our home and haven’t for years. Because we use our phones and our Fitbits to tell the time. I wonder if future generations will be able to tell the time using a clock face with those two hands – maybe not.
So which do you prefer – a wrist watch or a Fitbit?
For me it is a Fitbit every time!
And yet, and yet. On reflection I find the subject Time has brought up thoughts that are ever present now. I don’t obsess about these thoughts, but they are there. And the gist of it is – how to have a useful, fruitful, and productive life when the years in front of you do not stretch out forever, as they did when I was younger.
Yes, dear readers, there are hundreds of quotable quotes on time, but for me, the reality is that, and this is the absolute crux of the matter, time is not on my side. I guess, no I’m sure, I am by far the oldest bloggers in this little group, I am 77 this year, so realistically, how long do I have? And yes, I did say that!
Now that might to you sound negative, but not to me. The thing is we don’t have conversations about this do we? We are all meant to be very gung-ho about ageing, yes! It’s all, nothing to worry about here. But is this real? And just a quick political thought – we really do need an adult discussion in this country about how we age and, crucially, are cared for as we become frail and very old. Enough of that for now, but personally I do like to look forensically at how we age into our late 70s, 80s and 90s. Because it is also a trigger to live well, and in the moment, and continue that search for meaning.
Living well, at my age, for me, is working out how to maintain the status quo and, increasingly, managing the decline of my body. Again, you might think, how negative is she?! Or. Oh no Penny, age is just a number, and you are such a good example of how not to age. Well, yes, I am quite feisty with the way I dress, but I think one has to be realistic. Also, if anyone says to me, age is just another number, honestly, I get so annoyed, because this is denying the reality of someone’s age. The number of years one has, they matter, they really do. So, let’s own them for starters!
Living well, with the time one has left, also means adapting and thinking through solutions. If you get those bruises on your hand, why not wear lacy fingerless gloves? Don’t fret at the state of your hands and your paper-thin skin, instead be more like Madonna! If your balance is going, work those exercises and do them every day. Think about your shoes and how they can support you. They don’t have to be clumpy and frumpy, they can be Doc Martins, they can be edgy. Why not wear flat shoes with sequins, and boots with spikes and studs, go on, do! Get out those Nike trainers and wear them with pride. And if you ache from arthritis, it’s those exercises again – move, move, move, wearing your brightly coloured Nikes, of course!
And living in the moment with the time one has left is all about what gives you joy. I think January is meant to be the month when we give up buying any clothes. I have already written about our over-consumption of fashion, but it gives me great joy to search for that bargain and what’s more if you find that bargain in a charity shop then why deny that charity the money they so desperately need. I love my clothes, I love that search, long may I continue to look for and acquire my clothes – albeit frugally, of course.
Living in the moment is also about other moments of joy with family and friends, learning new skills, even doing this newly formed blog includes learning some IT skills that I hadn’t encountered before. Yes, don’t forget blogging – how I love writing for all of you. Then there is my love of looking: just looking at art, at films, even looking at the television, I get a great deal of joy from everything to do with the visual arts. And looking for joy in your life, even momentary joy, can make the day bloom with light and fun even. Yes, don’t forget to have fun.
Then there’s travel. Oh bliss! I have booked a cruise in June of this year. I can’t tell you how much I shall love dressing up again in my beautiful cruise dresses. 2023 will be the year of travel, because if not now, when? Yes, the time to travel is right now.
However, this might all seem rather busy, as though one is filling one’s time with so many things you can somehow forget how limited your time on this planet is. There need to be the times when we quietly search for meaning in our lives: and question how to be productive and useful with the time we have left. Now, that last part of that sentence might fill people with dread. But it is the way it is. I think it was Chaucer who said, time and tide waits for no man (or woman). Well, what to do in the time we have? Makes you think, doesn’t it!
The thing is: how do you feel about this Time business? And the lack of it as we age? Does it make you rage? There’s a Dylan Thomas poem that is about that kind of rage,which includes the lines:
Do not go gentle into that good night
Old age should burn and rave at close of day
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
No, I don’t feel like that. And then there’s Jenny Joseph’s poem, Warning, which begins:
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat that doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me
The poem rather paints a picture of an old woman running riot and letting herself go. Not exactly me.
However, I do wear hats and rather hope they do suit me!
This is my take on wearing a purple hat!
So, how do I feel about that bastard Time – apologies for swearing but it is a bit of a bastard. However, I am mostly, most days, not every day, but most, so grateful to still be here without any major nastiness going on – it’s just ageing, which is also a bastard. There I’ve said that word it again!
But grateful is how I feel: grateful to have been born, lived the life I have, had the experiences I’ve had, had the children I have, and the husband I have. In 2023 we will have known each other for 50 years – now that’s a very, very long time, and that dear reader, gives me great joy!
Let’s continue this discussion but for now that’s all from me. However, I do hope you have a look at all the other bloggers writing on the theme of Time, including.
Gail from Is This Mutton is a stickler for punctuality, but is gamely sharing a few times when she was late and had to do a walk of shame. It seems a few airports and senior executives were involved!
Lovely post, nice to hear about this new challenge for you all. Thanks for sharing Penny, have a super January. Jacqui x
Thank you so much Jacqui 🙂
Oh how lovely to see a new Blogger collaboration! It’s so nice to do, and to read!
Thank you Nancy, yes looking forward to many more of these blog posts 🙂
I love this post, Penny! You have put into words what so many of us think and then instantly stop thinking! I retired early and have regretted it to a point ever since. When you retire, you seem to lose your purpose. Of course, during the almost eleven years since I retired, we did move house not once but twice so that took up some time. But, I seem to be stuck on that purpose thing. I want to DO something with my time right now…something that makes a difference. I just need to figure out what that thing is. I do thank God every night for another day on this planet, but I worry I haven’t wrung every single moment out of that day. Well, I’m just blathering on it seems. I hope you understand what I’m trying to get across. I think you did such an excellent job with this theme!
I actually love the Dylan Thomas quote and have it saved on my phone. I look at it and think, “Yes, that’s the way I want to go…kicking and fighting all the way because living is so much better. I have a friend in her 90s who was part of the Red Hat Society here once upon a time. I’m not sure how popular they are anymore. But, I will wear my boots, get the side eye glances because I’m a woman of a certain age, and I shall do what I like (as long as I can get away with it)!
I can’t wait to see and read about your cruise. I’m hoping we do something this year!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
A lovely post Penny.
I am 72 and have recently lost my husband Ken, after 54 years of being together, so I am trying to find my place in society, its not easy.
I have lovely family and friends so will try to keep going . You are inspiring . Thank you x
I am so sorry about the loss of your husband – what an adjustment you have to make. But 54 years is such an achievement. Yes, keep going and get all the help you can – sounds as though it’s there for the taking.
And thanks for those kind words about this piece. Actually I’ll tell you that I was inspired to write about Time in this way as two old friends died in December, one on Christmas Eve and one just after, and I have another friend with a Stage 4 Cancer. This comes with the territory now we are in our 70s and it really makes you think.
All the very best to you and when I say take care, I really mean that. There’s a lot of admin to do but go slow and treat yourself gently – with love Penny:)
Hi Marsha and thank you for your thoughts on this so important subject. I think retirement can be the most creative part of your life as free from work you are able to pursue (within reason) not only your dreams of travel, for example, but you get time to develop your skills in ways that were denied you when earning a crust.
Because you retired early you are still young though, and you just never know, Marsha, what’s around the corner. To help with this you can ask yourself what are the needs in your community, what skills do I have, can I teach English, for example, to refugees, and so on and so on, But you just never know what you might do because there are opportunities out there and if at the beginning of my retirement I’d known I was going to run a film society I just wouldn’t have believed it. And have two blogs? I just had no idea. But here I am and it feels so creative. It’s the narrowing of the years ahead that gives me pause for thought. And I think it’s healthy to think these latter years through.
Here’s the complete Dylan Thomas poem https://poets.org/poem/do-not-go-gentle-good-night
Thanks again for your so thoughtful comment 🙂
A lovely post Penny and we covered similar issues in our posts – time has a habit of passing quickly and how we navigate our time is important. Hats do suit you! Lovely to join with you Gail, MK and Jill.
Thank you so much Debbie. I’ve just been on your blog and read it and simply love it. But as ever I can never comment on WordPress.com – it’s complicated as to why I can’t but I shall contact WordPress tomorrow as it’s gone on too long. I want to get it sorted.
Meanwhile here’s what I wanted to say to you! I though it so interesting that you chose Time for your WOTY last year – there is so much to say about this subject but I so agree with your that i) Time is ticking, but also that ii) Time is to be celebrated. And it’s great we are collaborating together – here’s to next month’s theme 🙂
Time was the perfect word to start the challenge . I so enjoyed your take on the subject Penny. I do remember the clocks we all grew up with , our house also had one in every room . Mind you it didn’t help my mother was always late . I must admit to still wearing a watch , can’t get into the fitbit thing.I often comment as to when you are young time time seems to pass slowly but now it just seems to fly.I also find the age is just a number really annoying.
Many of the points you raise certainly resonate with me as I turn 70 later this year.
Look forward to your take on next months challenge.
What a perfect subject to start with – it really got us all thinking!
Yes, we had a clock in every room and now we don’t have a single one! In addition, I’m waiting for a new strap for my Fitbit to arrive and therefore wearing a watch but feel quite lost as I can’t check my steps!
Looking forward to everyone’s thoughts on next month’s theme – thanks Jill 🙂
This was wonderful Penny. Although I am surprised you don’t have a clock in your place. We still have them all over and it’s a bugger when the electricity goes out, haha.
The best line in this post…”if not now, when?” And that’s how it should be for everything.
Can’t wait to hear about the cruise,
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Ah yes, in contrast to your clocks all the clocks we had were wind-ups!
Oh my goodness, I can’t wait to wear my cruise frocks again. But I seem to have acquired a couple more somehow 🤣
Very thoughtful, some wonderfully deep commentary Penny. Gratitude for time given on this planet is always on my mind too.
Absolutely, gratitude is the word! Thanks Lorraine 🙂
Time is indeed a bastard and as we get older there is a sense of a race against time. I love your feisty attitude to ageing, and also Madonna’s.
I love the look of watches but the functionality of a Fitbit wins every time!
Yes, I’m wearing a watch as I’m temporarily without a Fitbit and I really miss checking my steps.
Time was fantastic subject as there are so many layers to it. It is both a race as it is ebbing away, and yet it is something to appreciate, and, as Debbie suggested, to celebrate.
A good and thoughtful beginning to this themed collaboration – here’s to many more. And thanks so much for organising it 🙂
Such a provocative topic, Penny. A topic that fully occupied my thoughts this weekend as we celebrated my husband’s life with a fond and emotional memorial service. Our two sons spoke, a brother shared, and four nieces read stories contributed by friends and family about the passage of his seventy-four years…poignant and precious moments that memorialized the hardworking and loving family man that he was. We all thought of eternity last Saturday and we all thanked God for his life and the Hope of seeing him again in Heaven. It was a blessed time.
Oh Charlene – I do feel for you and your family. So glad you had a memorial service, which sounds as though it was beautiful. You take care now 🙂
Thank you for your kind words, Zepherine!
A very interesting piece today Penny. We still have a clock in every room and I always wear a watch. I really love ‘real’ clocks and watches as wonderful pieces of engineering and craft. There is a watch museum in London which we came upon by accident (serendipity!) with beautiful pocket watches on display. My husband made a small skeleton clock for a kit years ago ; no longer notice the ticking but my granddaughter found it very irritating when she stayed! I have a 1970’s (?) brass clock – sadly electric – from my parents house because it is a copy of the C17 lantern clocks which I could never afford to acquire. Never had the sort of house for a long case clock but would have loved one. I bought my husband a 1926 gold pocket watch for our 50th anniversary which hangs on a stand in our display cabinet. It’s handsome but not as beautiful as many older ones. As you know I have cancer diagnosed in before my 70th birthday so lots of thoughts about how much time I have left. The truth is that none of us know that anyway. We make our plans as we must and should but literally anything could happen to disrupt them I was asked how I cope with uncertainty and I say that if the pandemic taught us nothing else it is that everything is uncertain and unpredictable. Who (apart from some scientists working in the field ) would have thought that a microscopic virus could send the whole world into chaos ? I’m not saying it’s easy to cope with this but I try to stay positive and realistic. You really can’t live as if every day was your last – too exhausting! – but you can live in the moment as you say. I enjoyed a walk in the sunshine yesterday, a session with my trainer trying to get my fitness back after several weeks, knitting (although I had to undo a lot due to a missed mistake!) reading, watching the TV, looking at brooches (I’m obsessed) on Ebay, spoke to my daughter about going to see My Fair Lady (I’ll be wearing a mask) and my new (used) dress arrived which I’m wearing today. Today I’m going for a scan (not painful or taking very long) but I’ll go the library too to pick up my reserved book. Bad bit, I’m on dinner and I hate preparing meals!
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment Lynda. I too love clocks and watches as beautiful artefacts but I see them as objects of the past and delight in the digital way of telling the time. Mind you that may well come to a halt when the world has to seriously reign in its consumption. I rather wonder whether in that time we might go back to wind-up clocks and watches.
Yes, we never know and every time I hear of the passing of a friend (two in December) all the petty niggles one has are put into perspective. We really do need to live in the moment and relish it and not get anxious about the future, why, because you never know, the future might be OK and great, what do we know, we don’t. And I so agree with you that this isn’t about being busy, busy and frantically enjoying those moments. It is about being quiet and appreciating what you’ve got and like Mary (below) says, savouring the moment. Yes, that’s it.
Good to hear you’re back with your PT – they are such godsend. And here’s to your obsession with brooches – mine has to be hats! All the very best Lynda 🙂
Such a fabulous post, Penny! And so interesting to get a 77-year-old’s take on the subject of time too. I also took part in the challenge and wrote about how I used to think I would die young because my mother had very little on this earth. I’m so glad I managed to change my way of thinking so that I can enjoy every moment now.
I love your version of you in the purple hat. Such a fun poem!
Hugs
Suzy x
Not quite 77 yet, Suzy, that’s in June! Yes, at my age one can’t help think of what’s left of Time here. But life at 77 can be many things but it can be fun as well. That’s so important.
Not sure if I really like that poem – it’s very famous for those lines but the entire poem is of someone out of control. Personally think it’s written by someone who hasn’t entered old age. Yup, just found out she was 29!! I’m trying not to say this, but will!!!! Wtf did she know!! The thing is, you don’t, and furthermore you can’t imagine it happening to you.
Will go off to read your blog post now – thanks Suzy, hugs to you too 🙂
WTF is absolutely right, Penny!!! 29??!! OMG that’s mad. What does she know?! Crazy!
Thanks for popping over to my blog. I appreciate it.
Hugs
Suzy xx
I am excited for you and your cruise this year. I do feel sometimes times flies by but we do try to be purposeful with our time as a family and me making time for different things during the day. The special little moments (coffee on my porch) are important to my daily routine.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Yes, the quiet times are really important. Coffee on the porch sounds lovely. And oh Mireille – I can’t wait for the cruise as I have some beautiful dresses and haven’t worn them since before the pandemic. I’m already planning which ones I take – so excited!
Hello, Penny
Thank you for a most interesting post. Here’s my take on the subject…
I grew up with clocks and watches and still use both, including an old-fashioned kitchen timer. Fitbit? Sorry, can’t be ar**ed! I/we don’t count steps but do do a thirty minute daily heart exercise routine. I prefer casual clothes (jeans and sweatshirts or shorts and t-shirts ) but scrub-up okay if I have to. As I’ll do anything not to have to do that, we tend to steer clear of the smart-dress-required areas when on the Queen Mary. Still have a great time though and it is nice to see the other ladies all gussied up and looking lovely. (Just so you know, the jeans et al do get ditched come evening time and a decent dress puts in an appearance; I’m not a complete klutz!)
As for the dreaded Time, yes, it’s speeding by, but like you and others, I am grateful for my past and present life and I refuse to consider what awaits. I am full of admiration for Lynda, battling cancer and staying so positive, and for Charlene, recently widowed. As I said in a previous post, I am so very sorry for her loss and equally admiring of her acceptance of that loss. My husband and I have been together for 67 years and married for 62 of them and we are well aware of how fortunate we are to still have each other.
As for appreciating Life, I am often reminded of a card I spotted many years ago in America. It showed a flashy old gal, dressed to the nines, painted nails, hair flying, skidding into Heaven and saying, “Wow, that was a helluva ride!”
I’m hoping to be saying just that when my times comes,
– even if I’m not wearing a posh frock!
All the best
Zepherine (82 and 3/4) x
Oh, Zepherine, what a brilliant reply and I am so interested that you too go on a great liner – would that be every now and then or regularly? If I went on any of the Cunard ships I’d gussy myself up every night as I have all the dresses and more and pretty much nowhere to wear them apart from a cruise. So out they will all come for my cruise in June
I love clocks and watches to look at but not wear. Watches in particular are lovely, and I’ve never forgotten my life in Switzerland when I nursed there for two years (in the 70s). There were many shops selling watches and my word they were sooooo beautiful. But my Fitbit is important to me and that’s what I like wearing now.
Congratulations on such a long-lived marriage and here’s to that idea of having a helluva ride!!!!
All the very best to you too X
Thank you for your kind words, Zepherine!
Penny, you’ve touched on some thoughts that have concerned me. I’m 59, not old for those in good health. However the rheumatoid arthritis says otherwise. I am still in the phase of finding the appropriate treatment, so things may yet improve, but I spend my days managing my body so to speak. And wondering if my life will be shortened because of it. I’m not fearful or anxious about it, but you are right in that these are realistic concerns. One phrase that’s popular in here in the States is “So and so is 85 years young.” I hate that phrase. It acts like there is something wrong with being old.
Also, my favorite poem is “Warning” – When I am old I shall wear purple. It makes me laugh.
And my post in the subject of time also discusses “living in the moment.” It on my 3rd blog, Following My Muse.
Michelle
https://followingmymuse.space/time-the-first-tell-us-about-blogger-challenge/
I shall go off immediately after I reply to this to read your piece on it. Yes, a chronic illness isn’t fun and RA is a tricky one. Good that you proactively seek out what’s best for you.
See above for my thoughts to Suzy Turner on the poem Warning, as I’m not sure I like it. The first two lines are brilliant and then for me it falls apart with the next lines. If you did everything she suggests you might do as an older person you would be quite likely to be referred to Social Services!!! Or get an ASBO from the police! I just found out she was 29 when she wrote it – so I think it’s what a younger person would say you could do when you get older. I know it’s my view so don’t take any notice of me Michelle!!!
Thanks Michelle, and off to your blog right now 🙂
such an interesting and important post Penny. I have been thinking about it since I first read it yesterday. At 81 I know intellectually that there is not that much time left but in so many ways I really do not feel that much different from the person I was in my 40’s. of course I am more achy and I do not have the strength I had. not that I was ever that strong anyway, but lifting objects and opening containers has become more more challenging. silly me, I am still hoping for a bit of romance. One thing is though is that I have become more anxious. this is both in doing physical things, like horseback riding and also about the stare of the world in general. I am a bit envious about your cruise. this Summer I nearly booked a Viking cruise to the South of France. I was going to do it on my own, even if I had pay double as a single. I even decided to upgrade my flight. what the heck, it’s only money and who knows how long I will be around. yet I decided not to go ahead, the airlines seem to be having a hard time getting their act together and the thought of getting stranded while being alone was just too much. now I do not know if I will ever get the nerve back to go ahead with this trip, and of course the prices are so much higher. perhaps there is something I could do that is more worthwhile than a weeks pleasure.
I still wear a watch, don’t have a fitbit. I use my wind up timer for cooking and still have clocks. although some are digital. my relationship with all this technology is kind of ambivalent I suppose.
Well there you are, looking forward to the rest of the series. Love, Darby
We think along the same lines Darby as I too get achy and lack energy (my sleep pattern is really bad) but still think of myself as being around middle-aged. And then I catch myself gingerly walking along the icy pavement or slowly getting onto the bus and the bus driver waiting until I get into a seat and yes, oh lordy I am much older than I think I am!!!! Then I do a session with my PT who is enormously positive about my abilities and think, well, maybe I can continue this pattern of really working hard on my daily exercises and keeping my muscular strength. But this ageing lark is not for sissies, it is such hard work maintaining the status quo!.
Sorry to hear about the non-holiday. Maybe book something a bit nearer to the US and gain some confidence. Mind you, you are right to be wary of the state of the world and how it might affect airlines. One could if one let oneself be very negative about the state of Europe for starters (thinking Ukraine here) If you ever got stuck in the UK do just contact me.
All the very best to you 🙂
Thanks Penny,
This link-up with other bloggers is a interesting initiative, and I shall look forward to reading their posts in due course.
The theme – time – reminded me of how differently we, as a society, approach and measure it now compared previous generations or, even, to when we were young. You had rather more clocks in your parental home. My parents had two clocks: one upstairs and one down. Anyone who needed to know the time when they were in a ‘clockless’ room had two choices: shout out “what’s the time?” or take the clock with them.
Since we were children – I’m a month older than you – so many devices/systems/theories/courses have been invented/sold to us to help us ‘save’ time. And yet people work longer hours and are busier than ever. Perhaps that all part of the FOMO con?
Since I retired I very rarely wear a watch and I do not keep my cell ‘phone on. I like the freedom. It may appear that I never know the time, and certainly I don’t know to the minute but my estimations are not usually far off (I don’t tend to miss trains, planes or buses!) I still use a timer for cooking and a beside clock/radio.
Oliver Burkman estmates we have an average 4,000 weeks – quite a sobering though that, ah? I found his approach is very helpful – doing more is not necessarily achieving/enjoying more. Indeed, quite the opposite. He urges ‘savouring’ – which is, fortunately, far easier at our age where we can make our own deadlines, mostly and choose our own activities/projects.
I’m not a fan or Madonna but I am a fan of fingerless gloves: net for fun and woollen for warmth/ practicality. I gleaned another tip to detract from hands from an elegant older woman: wear noticeable rings and nail polish – both of which I know you enjoy.
I love your hat. Well, I love hats, but I particularly like this one on you. You mentioned the red hat purple thingy … I discovered there’ s an organisation for older women who dress in red hats and purple and enjoy outings etc. As you might expect it started in US but there are a number of chapters in UK.
Onwards, Mary
I agree with a lot of what you say. Being busy seems to be a badge of honour but it can be a way of distracting yourself from other things. Sometimes that’s helpful & necessary but sometimes it isn’t. We all need ‘downtime’ and the idea of savouring is very attractive to me!
Hi Lynda
I agree, being busy seems to be a badge of honour but it can be a way of distracting …” It can be a waste of time – and end up (a) not doing what one really wants to do (b) noticing what is actually going on inside ourselves or in the environment. Rarely do you hear elderly people say “I wish I had been busier …”
I love cooking and often spend a whole day at it. It’s one of the things I can enjoy ‘in the state of flow’ – rather like doing art, being in nature/gardening and, sometimes, laughing/having fun.
Best wishes, Mary
How very healthy your approach is to not have a watch or Fitbit or phone on. I am temporarily without my Fitbit as the strap was catching on my clothes and what with wearing those thinner frilly skirts, this was a no-no. so ordered another strap and they’ve sent the wrong size. I want my money back before i buy another. In the meantime because I didn’t have a watch I bought one in a charity shop – what a waste of money as it doesn’t keep good time at all, after wearing it for an hour, it’s half an hour slow. It’s basically useless! So it is my phone for now, which is always ON!
I like the idea of looking at time in weeks. The subject Time has been fascinating. For me, it’s always so interesting to see other blogs where women discuss ageing. The people who involve themselves int these discussion are often around the 60-yr mark which I reckon is not old one tiny bit. They do discuss ageism which is important as it’s rife everywhere especially it seems in the States, and the discussion often goes into the ageist beauty industry and the pressure to keep looking young and not go grey for instance. But there is very little in the blogosphere about real old age and how one feels when one is in ones 70s and 80s. That’s a whole other ball game and kind of not acknowledged. Because what are we talking about it is the decline of health and bodily function. That’s the reality and that’s not discussed. Ageing is more than going grey and having a few more lines!!!!!
Thanks so much Mary for your, as ever, thoughtful comment
Penny,
What a delight to discover you! I’m honored to be included in Gail’s group with you and rest. I can really relate to what you say about knowing we don’t have all the time in the world left…I’m “only” 62, and yet my mother and her mother passed in their mid-70s, and I’ve never assumed I would live to an advanced age. So I’m very much of the “carpe diem” mindset as well. I loved your practical advice about keeping moving, good shoes and lace gloves – all great ways to “rage against the dying of the light”! And we can all rage together. What a joy is it to be able to connect with like-minded women all over the world through technology. Pleased to meet you, new friend!
Hi Mary Katherine. I have loved meeting you through this new initiative and look forward to many more subjects to consider.
This subject was fascinating and gave us all much food for thought. Here’s to the next subject which will be a lighter one I think. And yet I really enjoyed the delving deep and the comments that this has aroused.
Pleased to meet you too 🙂
What a wonderful post Penny and I love the topic of time. I turn 70 in April and it has brought me up sharply to realise that I am looking at the back end of my life and how precious each moment and day is. Love the wise advice about the physical aspect of aging. I had a few aches and pains and was told by a GP recently that it was probably ‘old age.’ While I get his point I was outraged and saw a physio ( privately as no possibility getting one on NHS) who had a gentle push and pull, gave me exercises , identified a minor issue around my sacrum and sent me on my way feeling positive that I have a part to play in keeping fit. I will continue to sea swim as it helps me on so many levels- enjoy being slightly crazy with people of all ages and backgrounds!
I have also decided to stop worrying about relationships that aren’t really working, that includes friends and family, and not waiting for things to improve. Lovely to hear thoughts about subjects that are not usually talked of.
BTW you never look your age. You have inspired me.Must wear more colour and get out of jeans!
Love your posts/blog.
Steph
Hi Steph and it has been interesting to write about this subject as bloggers often write about ‘ageing’ along the lines of, ‘not being seen’, ‘should one go grey’ and how awful ageism is in the beauty and fashion industry. Or it is all about a very active and positive old age. I really like the blog Susan Saunders and Annabel Streets write, The Age-Well Project, as it is full of evidence-based advice, but even that stance can get a bit exhausting. No-one really tackles the reality of ageing and the slow deterioration of one’s physical abilities. You honestly never think, anyway, that it will happen to you, because one thinks, well, I am so fit. And that’s indeed what I used to think, but a bit later on, as in now, it’s oh, my word, what is happening!
You know you had a good experience with your physio. What you might want to do is look for a Personal Trainer. The right Personal Trainer will not be a young thing who pushes you to excess, instead you need to find an empathetic individual who will tailor the sessions to your particular needs. Here is a link my PT to see the type of person she is – look for someone like her. Mind you Sarah does a huge amount via Zoom and our friend Alison for starters I don’t think has every seen her in person. Alison really rates her. http://www.wellbeingexercise.co.uk/about_us.html
It is so sad that GPs don’t seem to have any advice about being fit and well as we age! Poor knackered NHS, but how much it would save the nation if more people over 70 had PTs – a lot!
Thanks again Steph – it’s great to hear your views 🙂
What a good idea. Thanks for the Personal Trainer link . I will have a look. I do go to the gym but the machines etc are all a bit confusing.
Wind up clocks. Had forgotten all about winding clocks and watches. My father had a mantel clock he religiously and ceremoniously wound about once a week, too. I always overwound my clocks and watches, my musical jewelry box, just as I overwater my plants. Too much of a good thing.
So much to think about here. Funny you should mention paper thin skin. I was just thinking today that my hands cannot withstand anything these days…they are always being nicked or are cracked from constant dishwashing and housecleaning. I’ve never been one for fancy, well-manicured nails but my hands actually hurt some days from the nicks and cracks.
I completely agree about wearing fun shoes. Some of mine are not so comfortable but as they wear out, I am changing them out for fun, comfortable shoes with shorter heels.
So jealous of your cruise plans. Someday I hope to take a cruise. Used to think I wanted to go on a warm weather cruise but now that my figure is more grandmotherly, I am thinking maybe one to Alaska?
Oh yes, my father did exactly the same, it was his role to wind the antique clock on the mantelpiece.
RE: your hands. At the beginning of the pandemic I was washing my hands so often that my skin began to break down. They were in an awful state but then I heard of the Nursem products, which were then just hand cream and hand wash. Amazingly these were developed by a nurse and very well done her as I’ve continued to use the hand creams especially the intensive one. They don’t ship to the States but this website does https://www.spacenk.com/uk/brands/n/nursem
Of course, Lesley, you do wear gloves whenever you can, don’t you? For washing the dishes and so on. I’ve also started wearing white cotton gloves when doing any housework, like changing the sheets, this especially always seemed to cause a bruise! But problem solved now I wear the white cotton gloves.
Oh do take a cruise – you would love to be waited on hand and foot as the saying goes! I met a lot of Americans on one Holland & America cruise. This line has very high standards and do a lot of Alaska cruises. Something to look forward to.
Thanks Leslie 🙂