JUST TO SAY...

[christo46]

One of the most pleasant aspects of living here in Blackpool is the opportunity the resort gives us to get to know visitors from all over the place.

We tend to go out to lunch in a Town Centre pub or cafe three or four times per week, and often get chatting to people who are visiting Blackpool for a short break or holiday.

Two ladies who come here quite regularly are called Eileen and Joan, and, knowing that I like writing, they produced yesterday this anonymous piece that those of us of "a certain age" find amusing:

JUST TO SAY...

Just to say that I, living,
And not among the dead,
Though I'm getting more forgetful
And mixed-up in the head,
Have got used to my arthritis,
To my dentures I'm resigned,
I can cope with these bi-focals,
But, Ye Gods, I miss my mind!

Sometimes I can't remember
When I'm standing by the stairs,
If I must go up for something,
Or have just come down from there?

And before the fridge so often,
My mind is full of doubt -
Now did I put some food away
Or have come to take it out?

So I think of you quite often,
And wish you lived quite near:
It's time to post this to you,
And send it off, my dear.

As I stand beside the post-box
My face is just as red
For instead of posting this to you,
I've opened it instead!

Anon.

One of those "If you don't laugh. you'll cry" pieces - we shall survive.

[Grundle]

Stuff like this I can understand and enjoy, without taxing my brain too much.

[tabbynera]

Yes, well, Me and mr. Swiss are now getting there. He being 8 years older than me, but seems to have his marbles better organised (think that it the phrase to use). Easily forgotten, now where is the car key (it was still in the lock of the car in the garage). Where's my mobile? (let's call it and see if it rings somewhere). We can help each other thank goodness. I think it is a sort of sport to try and prove to the other who has the better memory.

And now I am organising for my dad to get sheltered accomodation. He is 95, still lives on his own, but his girlfriend who lives opposite is a year older and not so well and will probably have to go into a home. My dad can cope - not the ideal housewife, but not walk so well any more. Still goes out, but the time is coming when something has to be done. So I am in Switzerland, only child, and he is in Dagenham. Now work that one out. Thnks to skype I can call every day and it costs nothing to mention, but putting a boot up the *bum* of some of those people working for the local council, that is not easy. Today he at last got his form to fill out (my call is over a week old). There is a lot more to it, but although the poem is amusing, it can and probably will happen to all of us, there is a side of real meaning. I am prepared to go over to dad when something happens, but dad says wait, it is too early. So once again, thanks to the Skype god and in the meanwhile I am on needles a bit.