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New Member

Hi I am new to this website. Like many others at this time I feel the need to connect with new friends.


I am female, 71 years of age, very active, love books, travelling & meeting up with friends - these things have all been severely curtailed & I am feeling a bit anxious. My husband doesn't feel the need to communicate like I do - he is happy in his own wee world.


Family are not near and I feel I'm getting very depressed with the world so would like to chat with anyone who wishes. I do love to hear other peoples stories and any worries they have so it will not be all about me.


If you need someone to bounce things off please contact me.


Cheers Mary Hunter


Created By on 05/10/2020

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Smudgersnan
8th Oct 2020 09:09:22
1
Thanks for voting!
Hello Mary,

Welcome to Silversurfers, and I am happy to chat with you... I am 61 (next month), love books, travelling and meeting up with friends also, so feel your pain when you describe being severely curtailed and feeling a bit anxious!. Perhaps we can swap stories over the next few days, weeks, months...who knows how long!

I am from Melling, little (extremely little) place close to Aintree (think Grand National) and 20 minute train journey from Liverpool. I am a wife, mum and nanna. I am a qualified nurse, though left practice in 2013 for personal reasons, and never went back! I realised that although I loved my job, I loved spending my time doing what I wanted more!
I keep busy, I go David Lloyd four times a week for aqua exercise, I love to read, sew, crochet and occasionally dabble in writing (short stories and poems). For many, many years, I would write and then after I had a stack of stories or poems, tear them up and throw them away. This month, I joined Silversurfers and had just finished a story, so I submitted it to test the water. I'm glad I did, it was nice receiving feedback and comments from strangers about my work. I was delighted to win the literature of the month!
We live in a mad mad world and I am a believer in people being allowed to talk through their anxieties and concerns and to not feel alone or judged...... so, if you feel like replying or swapping chats on a regular basis, feel free my friend,

Stay safe and God bless you,
Jeanette
Response from MaryMcLaughlin Original Poster made on 8th Oct 2020 21:24:52
Hi Smudgersnan
Thank you so much for replying to my post - I was beginning to feel invisible. I feel my world getting smaller & smaller. I was a member of an indoor bowling club for many years, a book club at the library & last year I joined a celidh dancing class which was great fun but they have all ground to a halt. My husband wouldn't bother if he didn't speak to anyone for ages but I like to connect with people & hear their stories.
I think its great that you write short stories and poems & would be interested in reading some of them. I love books & have recently read a brilliant book "Where the Draw dads sing" - I thoroughly recommend it if you are a reader. Hope to hear from you again. Mary
Response from MaryMcLaughlin Original Poster made on 8th Oct 2020 21:28:12
By the way - forgot to say I'm from Fife in Scotland - a lovely part of the world & am so glad to have been brought up in this area.
Response from Smudgersnan made on 9th Oct 2020 09:16:36 > @MaryMcLaughlin
Good morning Mary,

Lovely to read your reply!

You are so lucky living in Fife...never been but I know how lovely it is!
You must have felt it when all your social activities came to a halt as neither one is a solitary past time is it? Never mind, one day eh?

About books, I shall look for your recommendation. I do not know what genre you favour, but have you heard of Kate Morton? I think she has written about 5 books, but I absolutely love them. Have a look, google her name, and start at her very first one, I think its called the secret garden. If you want to avoid drama and romance and like a thriller, take a peek at Linwood Barclay's 'A tap on the window' had me hooked from the first page. I use a kindle, couldn't be without it now! There are so many books to choose from now, I guess with people self publishing, the literary world has exploded!

It is all looking a bit grim again isn't it with regard to the pandemic........I guess we have to do as we are told and hope for the best. I have enjoyed going back to David Lloyd since the lock down laws were relaxed-it was lovely to go and enjoy a swim and aqua class (and feel like everything was normal again, just for a while), but it looks like today may be my last class again for a while (sad face!).

Well, enjoy your day, and chin up-chest out my friend!

Jeanette
Response from MaryMcLaughlin Original Poster made on 9th Oct 2020 14:51:45 > @Smudgersnan
Hi Jeanette

I notice I gave you the wrong name for that book I recommended - maybe I had one whisky too many. It's correct title is " Where the Crawdads sing" by Delia Owen - you'll get it on your kindle. I read recently that Reece Witherspoon had bought the rights & is going to make a film or something with it.
I like Val McDermid ( she is from Fife also )& wrote " Blood in the Wire" series - it was on tv with Robson Green.
Anyway I have changed the bed & done the hoovering so that's the excitement over for today. Cheers & have a nice day
Mary
Response from Smudgersnan made on 10th Oct 2020 08:45:49
Good morning Mary!

I shall have a look at the book later today, thank you.

It is very grim weather wise today here.........grey, dark, windy and very wet! Not the kind of weather to lift your heart I can tell you! I don't think I will be going anywhere today.

Instead, I shall pass an hour or two in my 'happy place' (otherwise known as little spare bedroom) where I have created a little peaceful area to sew or write. At the moment I am making more face masks (surprise!) as the original few I made are the pleated type and although they were fine, I saw a pattern for a better fitting type, which gave you a bit more room inside, if you know what I mean? I made a 'demo' one yesterday and liked it, so today will make a couple from some nice fabric....

Of course, the house is like a tip, but I can't be bothered! You know Mary, when I worked, my house was clean. I had a system and I made it work. Each day, different task, different room. Now that I'm home and can clean anytime, I seriously can not be bothered. I am more reactive than proactive now-see the dust, so polish, see the dirt so mop! The pandemic is not helping.

the local news here is that we will go to the three tier system soon, Boris will announce Monday if we are to believe what we read in the local and national papers. What are you reading and hearing about it?

Well, I shall say goodbye, chin up and chest out my friend!

Jeanette x
Inquisitive
9th Apr 2021 22:00:20
0
Thanks for voting!
Hello Mary,
I’m the same age as you and loved travelling, but due to current lockdown, it will be a couple of years before I can feel confident to travel abroad. This time last year, I was waiting for a flight back from Australia. Although, fortunately I was on holiday with my sister and it became an extended 3 month stay instead.

Luckily, Australia did not have the high rate of infection that the rest of world was suffering, but I was extremely worried about my children and grandchildren in the U.K. who live near me, in Kent.
Eventually, I managed to get a flight home at the end of May 2020.

Like you, I do have friends who I use to meet regularly since retirement, prior to lockdown. I’m now, able to meet some friends for external walks or chat via phone. Not quite the same as sitting in a cafe chatting.

I’m finally officially divorced in February 2021, after a long four year very costly, stressful and anxious process.
So, I’ve got now time available to make new friends and chat....

Looking forward to hearing from you, if you fancy chatting.
R.R.
Amaus
10th Mar 2021 15:16:12
0
Thanks for voting!
Hi, Mary. I too enjoy disappearing into Val McDermid’s world! I find I am reading more than ever during lockdown.I used to feel a little gui.lty at settling down to read but lockdown has cured the guilt factor. There is no rush to have to get, anything, done as time is elastic isn’t it? I miss meeting up with my closest friends who live in the South. I am. In the North. We talk on WhatsApp. video calls twice a week with an accompanying cup of tea or wine or g and t. I have 2 dogs and we walk locally each day. I miss the group of people I used to walk with. Like you , my husband is content to stay in and doesn’t miss communication with others as much I do. I hope this finds you well .I enjoy communicating in writing and used to be a prolific letter writer. I still love pen and paper! Amaus

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