Just joined so I'm introducing myself.
Watch this postI will be 67 next month and retired from the many different jobs in my working life. I guess that I didn’t ever find my calling. I went to university at age 59 but when it was over it was too late to launch a new career. I wanted to lecture but students don’t want to listen to old fogies, so sadly I put aside that idea and settled into life as an eccentric dog owner.
I live in a beautiful Lancashire valley surrounded by hills that demand they be walked/climbed, how could I refuse?
I would like to do a bit of cycle touring but a recent diagnosis of spondylosis and some hip pain means that I may not be doing a world tour anytime soon!
I’m keen to make some friends as I have been on my own for a very long time now, my daughters don’t bother much with me and I don’t have a partner.I didn’t expect to be so isolated at this time in my life, isn’t it strange the way family and friends seem to forget us when we get past 60?
I will pop in regularly and hope to strike up some friendships.
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On Virgin Radio a couple of months ago someone said "you live every day & only die once" so I am trying to make this my mantra & learn something new every day. I have only just started reaching out via social media & found this so here goes.
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No-one gets out alive*
A friend Bernie used to quote this, he in turn got it from a work colleague (who is no longer) but I don't know who's quote it was originally. I shall have to look it up.
But it's good to have plans and that will 'keep you going'
I don't envy your current situation. I had a similar experience (but without the lockdown) that lasted for 3 months. It was bad enough. It's better to be amicable but some have no choice.
Remember, it's not a dress rehearsal.......
Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.
If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.
If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.
Similar happened to me. Partner left out of the blue. I decided to wait 3 months before deciding what I would do next and where. I've no family left and my best friend is in Cornwall so I can go wherever too. Decided on a move to another part of the Yorkshire Dales for a while by renting a mobile home for a while, started selling off furniture as much smaller place and bang came down the portcullis on moving, the caravan site closed and on the temp job I was doing for a few months.
I found another temp job part time for a few weeks to get me out of the house but otherwise completely stuck in limbo and very frustrated that is the situ so you have my sympathy for sure.
Christine
It’s getting rather boring now & lonely for me, even though I have many friends & family they all seem busy. I’m from the South East & being in total isolation isn’t much fun after 11 weeks!
I must admit I have being doing more gardening! & listening to some old vinyls of my mums! & anything to relieve the boredom!
Stay safe
Yes I am starting to formulate some plans and who knows I may find a like-minded person to share them with.
It's good to know that people like yourself do read these messages which is comforting when you feel alone & future prospects are daunting however I am well aware there are many a lot worse off.
My mantra (not mine of course) is "you live every day & only die once.
Yes I agree you have to believe to make things happen.
Hope all is well with you & you stay safe & happy.
Thanks for your response & please accept my apologies for my late reply only the notifications of messages were in a folder in my be Gmail account that I was not aware of.
So sorry to hear of your situation with your partner & job situation.
Lockdown hasn't been easy for anyone that's for sure but hopefully, it has given you some time to consider what you want out of life for yourself in the coming years, and perhaps while pursuing those activities you may meet a person with the same interests. If not at least you are pleasing yourself rather than conforming to someone else's wishes/demands.
It is comforting to know that there are other people on this site who take the time to express their views which is also very encouraging. Stay positive, the sun is shining more & lockdown is easing.
Perhaps plan a short break away in the not so distant future to give yourself something to look forward to.
Because I read you play the harmonica I wanted to send you a music link. You can check out the harmonica on this .
I saw these live a few years ago in Dorset. The singer told a tale of when Bob Dylan visited Woody Guthrie "the dust bowl Troubadour") when he had Parkinson's disease and was in a Psychiatric Hospital in New Jersey.
It was their first meeting and Guthrie gave Dylan a card with the words "I ain't dead yet" on it.
This song is inspired by this event..
I Ain't Dead Yet - Giles Robson and the Dirty Aces. They play the blues circuits here and abroad and I had the best kind of night! I have posted this elsewhere on the music threads but you probably haven't navigated yet.
Cheers
Bees
Might help if I gave you the link
https://youtu.be/8OEwoleduU8
Yes it is a job to stay positive although I understand many people are keeping in touch & having fun with family & friends through skype/zoom calls although I haven't to date.
As I have a number of interests which in a normal situation especially when I'm working, I don't really have much time for, so what I find works for me is to write down what I want to do the next day & try to mix it up a little so I get some variety for example 2 hours sitting in the sun reading (trying to learn Spanish) then have a 15 minute break then play some guitar or keyboards for a couple of hours, have some lunch, more reading or housework for an hour or two, then do some exercise sorta basic yoga-type stretching with controlled breathing then go for a brisk walk or jog.
Have some tea & get online for a while, play some more music & later about 9 or so watch some TV supping a beer,
It is rewarding to see the progress you can make at a learning type activity which is encouraging & also quite relaxing.
Hang in there better days are on the horizon for us all.
I am an ex-drummer just learning harmonica which is very good for my breathing (heavy ex-smoker unfortunately) & have only in the last few months started using youtube for tutorials which is so much better than reading from a book.
Although I do appreciate what a legend Bob Dylan is there is quite a lot of his material that I am not that keen on however hos album " Desire" is, in my opinion, outstanding as is "Rumours " Fleetwood Mac & "Love & Affection" Joan Armatrading, amongst others.
Do you play an instrument at all or just a fan of good music? Singing & dancing is so good for the soul.
I don't think you can count Piano stage 1 as being musical...(I still have nightmares about that exam!) Having a Grandmother wave a £5 note in bribery was the start to my lessons. My older brother had very same bribe but got out quicker than I.
Of course now I regret not sticking to it. I regret also not having our piano anymore (Could've pretended to be Carole King or someone)
Joan Armatrading I can really listen to (fellow Brummie.....tho' I have lived on Dorset long time?) Everyone on earth had a copy of Rumours and grew up with it but I am a Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac fan...true to the roots.....
https://youtu.be/O8RhZDGLEXM
Oh Well
I love seeing bands. I have seen so many, I sometimes forget who. The last few people have been Neil Young at the 02( didn't like the venue),
Wilko Johnson, Robert Kray....oh Stan Webb's Chicken Shack (No Christine Perfect) Gino Washington, Climax Blues Band. All these daily locally, Frome and Salisbury...The band I have seen most of would be Jethro Tull (totalling 15 times. I have met Ian Anderson 3 times).
You must make your way to music posts such as 'Women In Music' (I just started that one) or 'Recommendations' or 'What are your tastes in Music' etc...have a nosey and tell us more.
Bees Knees
I currently work for a European company that design and manufacture Medical Device.
Everything seems OK so far, but have a bit of mid-age thinking and try to figure out what life can be better in near future.
Bless you
Don't give up.
I have been a member here now for the best part of three minutes so thought it was about time I left a message. Pity that I can't think of anything interesting to say, but i guess that good manners dictate that I should introduce myself. I am not sure how we deal with real names here so will leave that for now, but I am a single man living in Gateshead who will turn 60 in two days time. I am happy with my lot, but also maybe considering a little bit of a reboot.
Looking forward to meeting you all.
Lovely to hear from you. I had a good day on my birthday (just quiet drinks with my brother and sister) and a few days off work either side, which was nice.
In Gateshead the weather is drizzly.....always!!!.....I quite like it really.
Take care and keep in touch. it would be nice to know more about you.
Bob
Can you claim on council tax ?