My back garden
I was still so tired.
I've read more of the wonderful book " On The Red Hill " by Mike Parker surrounded by bulldogs and only moved to go to the loo where I continued to read, still surrounded by bulldogs before returning to my original resting place
The lane was busy with walkers, so when I eventually ventured outside to buy pet food conversations were had with German Bernard and Marjorie, Animal Helper Pat ( who was adding her garden waste to my field bonfire) and Meirion ( a meeting I cut short with the excuse of feeding the animals as he likes a rather long chat)
I returned to the sofa soon after and was interrupted by a neighbour who was worried about the disappearance of one bantam cockerels who live the gardens around here.
Mary, Dorothy and I went for a scout round and found lumps of sad feathers in a nearby field
I remember well, my livestock keeping days, they taught me well the ways and habits of the fox and badger
I remember well, my livestock keeping days, they taught me well the ways and habits of the fox and badger
I will break the news to the locals later . They all have grown to love the bachelor cockerels.
The single surviving bantam quietly made his way across my garden to his roosting tree in the graveyard at dusk tonight.
It's sad to see him alone.
My sister has just asked what I want for my birthday and after long think I've asked her to upgrade by tiny front garden with her green fingers and some colourful planting.
We are 58 in a week's time
58! The last time I really noticed I was 40
My sisters are a constant in my life...I've known them both 58 years!
My sisters are a constant in my life...I've known them both 58 years!
Where does the time go?
Sounds like you had a good day and more to come.
ReplyDeleteBack to work soon
DeleteThe last time I noticed,I was 18..Im 65 now..and its not a problem until I look in the mirror..so I tend not to look in the mirror!.So as far as I am concerned,I am stunning!!,lol,Take care,xxx
ReplyDeleteStunning I'm not !!!!!
Delete'Where does the time go?' In my experience it flashes by in the blink of an eye. One moment I'm a young bride and suddenly I'm a grandma! I can't believe how quickly it goes. And to think I thought I was old when I was 24!!! Still, it's been a happy life, with more to come. Thank heavens lockdown is easing. 😊😘
ReplyDeleteCathy nicely put x
DeleteI love a different birthday present , tomorrow we are having a social distancing afternoon tea in our garden for my friends birthday . Her husband does not even get her a card so I hope she enjoys her tea .
ReplyDeleteI think I will organise some meet up for. My sister
DeleteSocial distancing of course
The best years of your life are yet to come, John, I feel it!
ReplyDeleteCan u putbthat in writing dearheart i
DeleteShe just did.
DeleteJo in Auckland
i feel it too. i can't wait to see where this chapter takes you.
ReplyDeleteMore travelling , a bit of humour, dogs, village and occasional sex x
DeleteAs George Bernard Shaw wrote, 'Youth is wasted on the young'. How right he was. However, pull bra straps up, head held high and a smile, and see what is in store around the corner.
ReplyDeleteTits out chin up
DeleteYes lots to look forward too
I second debra! you only begin to live when you turn 50. onward and upward, tits/chin up!
ReplyDeleteAM. You truly are a squires' page x
DeleteI vaguely remember being 58, Happy future Birthday,kid.
ReplyDeleteThanks dad xxx
DeleteJust lately I am glad to be a pensioner. I can't imagine how stressful it would be to go out to work or try to survive if my work dried up.
ReplyDeleteI was 58 in February and since this Pandemic hit and obliterated 2.5 months of my life I will be heading to 59 sooner than I would have wanted. The months have been a blur of doing nothing, not working, reading heaps, following politicking in NZ; certainly a new one on me and scanning my emails for a return to work date for me. It's all very surreal!
ReplyDeleteI'm very sad about the bachelor bantams can you not acquire a friend for him?
Jo in Auckland
There are hens at the stables behind the Church, I hope he goes over there
DeleteI am so sorry about the loss of the bantam. They're such gorgeous birds.
ReplyDeleteFor someone who just entered his ninth decade, 58 sounds pretty good to me! Happy birthday in advance, John.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I thought 58 was old but my next birthday I will be 68 and neither age is old I've learned! A secret - tell people you are five years older than you are and they will say "Wow, you look great!"
ReplyDeleteFifty eight is young to us older folks there's a lot more living to do John and I know you will make the best of those with the well laid plans listed in your reply to Jaz above. Sorry to hear about the loss of
ReplyDeletethe bachelor bantam I believe you posted a photo of them many moons ago.
You chose a good birthday present; one that will be with you for a long time. Your cottage garden looks perfect.
ReplyDeleteHey, kid! In the words of that old song (or commercial?), "You've got a lot of living to do!"
ReplyDeleteI turned 69 a month ago and somehow I thought I'd be taller by now. I suppose that's unlikely since as I get older, I'll probably get shorter as my mom and aunt did.
So sorry about the untimely demise of the bantam and I hope the survivor finds his way to those hens.
Hugs!
The number which is your age, creeps up on you, it's not a refection of who you are. My God at my age my dear mum was old, and that's not a title I want to hear about myself.
ReplyDeleteI was 60 yesterday. I had felt sad that I wouldn't be with my family but I had a truly wonderful day. All day I had phone calls and texts. I had a video call with my eldest son and the grandsons and visits from nearby family who left cards and gifts and we talked outside at distance. I had distance chats with neighbours either side and then was invited for a drink in the afternoon in our friends large front garden opposite us. They had set up chairs in the sun for us and we took our own fizz and glasses. They provided their own fizz and glasses and sat at a distance. It was so amazing to have some social interaction and made the day very special.
ReplyDeleteNumbers, if you let them, can freak you out. Particularly if, like me, you thought you'd never make it past thirty. X years on, I now find myself inching my way to 110 - just to prove myself wrong. Yeah, well, ever the optimist.
ReplyDeleteCurrently everyone thinks me at least ten years younger than I am which is not so much flattering as occasionally annoying when I feel like saying to someone: "Do respect your elders". Not that I would ever utter such crap but still . . .
Good choice as to your sister's birthday present. There comes a time in life when we don't need another "thing". An experience (no bungy jumping for me) or something ephemeral like a flower bed so much more meaningful.
To put the boot in, as your readers expect of me, John, and who am I to disappoint: Such a pity you are a Gemini. Geminis have played/are playing a massive role in my life. What have I done to deserve them, and some of their equally great AND vile ways?
U
I am a Gemini and a twin . So I am not two faced as janet shows a different side
DeleteIndeed. Good point. That you are not only a Gemini but a twin (oh the irony) had, for a second, escaped me.
DeleteFew twins have crossed my path. One pair, brothers. Not only did they NOT look alike their characters were totally different. I was good friends with one. The other? Interesting in the way that some difficult people are.
Often wondered, before venturing into motherhood, what it would be like to have twins. Luckily I wasn't put to the test since am very much a one child mother. Not that I wouldn't have loved and looked after any triplets, and more, of mine.
U
Would I were 58 again. On second thoughts maybe not.
ReplyDeletePoor Meirion! You cut him off when he was in full flow. Perhaps he needed a long chat and thought you were a good listener. In a fit of pique and in solidarity with Poor Old Meirion I only read half of this blogpost so I do not know what you have asked Janet to do for your birthday.
ReplyDeleteYou fibber ... you read it all, we know you did ;-)
Delete58.......an age when we think about retirement coming just around the corner.
ReplyDeleteTime to begin to 'separate the wheat from the chaff' and move forward.
The flowers in your back garden are stunning, man! 💜
ReplyDeleteSounds like a restorative day off, sounded like you were ready for that. Time flies, we need to enjoy it along the way. Sounds like you had a wonderful day of recharging your batteries, reading you to go back to sharing and helping others.
ReplyDeleteI used to wonder how I would feel about getting older. But when I think of my school friend killed in N.I. when only 22 years old. The daughter he had and the one he never met. I think how lucky I am in comparison.
ReplyDeleteStill have good and bad days, but I survive to fight another day.
You being 58 is brilliant, I dreaded this years big 60 for me until literally a week before it happened and then suddenly I was looking forward to my new decade so much.
ReplyDeleteInside I still feel 40, outside my Mum has moved onto my face, and the kids, grandkids and great-grandson all think I'm ancient.
So sad the little cockerel is now on his own, I'm guessing it's a lot quieter in the churchyard now he has no competition each morning.
I love being 60 as I think I am a little bit more outspoken even if someone May not like it-but I like it.I am reminded of The When I'm Old Poem-I want to be that Lady x
ReplyDeleteWe will wear purple together ;-)
DeleteWhat a great idea for a gift from your sister. I had a friend who, when she turned 40, started counting from 21 again. I haven't seen her since she was 26 (for the second time). I was only 25 at the time, which means she would be by her count 28 (I think) and by the government's count, I think, 84. I wonder if she's still alive.
ReplyDeleteI AM SO DELIGHTED TO BE FINALLY CURED OF HERPES VIRUS,I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM HERPES TYPE 2 FOR OVER 4 YEARS AND I HAVE SPENT A LOT ON GETTING THE MEDICAL PILLS RECOMMENDED FOR SUPPRESSING THE VIRUS,BUT I NEED MY LIFE BACK SO I OPTED FOR HERBS INSTEAD AND IT WAS THIS PROCESS I CAME ACROSS A TESTIMONY OF HOW EFFECTIVE DOCTOR RAZOR HERBAL MEDICINE IS, SO I DECIDED TO GIVE IT A TRY I CONTACTED THE HERBAL DOCTOR AND HE GUIDED ME AND AFTER FEW DAYS I RECEIVED MY PARCEL FROM THE COURIER SERVICE SENT BY THIS GREAT HERBALIST SO I FOLLOWED HIS INSTRUCTION ON HOW I WAS TO TAKE THE MEDICINE AND AFTER 18 DAYS I DECIDED TO GO FOR MEDICAL CHECK UP ON THE HERBALIST ORDER, TO MY GREATEST SURPRISE THE DOCTORS DECLARED ME NEGATIVE,YOU CAN GET CURED OF HERPES TOO IF I CAN GET CURED AFTER USING HIS HERBAL MEDICINE..REACH HIM ON EMAIL : drrazorherbalhome@gmail.com or Whatsapp or call him on +2349065420442
ReplyDeleteI AM SO DELIGHTED TO BE FINALLY CURED OF HERPES VIRUS,I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM HERPES TYPE 2 FOR OVER 4 YEARS AND I HAVE SPENT A LOT ON GETTING THE MEDICAL PILLS RECOMMENDED FOR SUPPRESSING THE VIRUS,BUT I NEED MY LIFE BACK SO I OPTED FOR HERBS INSTEAD AND IT WAS THIS PROCESS I CAME ACROSS A TESTIMONY OF HOW EFFECTIVE DOCTOR RAZOR HERBAL MEDICINE IS, SO I DECIDED TO GIVE IT A TRY I CONTACTED THE HERBAL DOCTOR AND HE GUIDED ME AND AFTER FEW DAYS I RECEIVED MY PARCEL FROM THE COURIER SERVICE SENT BY THIS GREAT HERBALIST SO I FOLLOWED HIS INSTRUCTION ON HOW I WAS TO TAKE THE MEDICINE AND AFTER 18 DAYS I DECIDED TO GO FOR MEDICAL CHECK UP ON THE HERBALIST ORDER, TO MY GREATEST SURPRISE THE DOCTORS DECLARED ME NEGATIVE,YOU CAN GET CURED OF HERPES TOO IF I CAN GET CURED AFTER USING HIS HERBAL MEDICINE..REACH HIM ON EMAIL : drrazorherbalhome@gmail.com or Whatsapp or call him on +2349065420442
ReplyDelete