Ageless Jukebox just keeps on giving.

We arrived at the venue not knowing who was invited, nothing about the couples family but certain we were blessed to be invited and the friendship shared.As time passed our circle grew with people we knew and interaction grew as the alcohol kicked in but the pods of the inner circle of family remained in their respective spaces passing fleeting conversation over tables and visits to the hot box for finger food.

As the jukebox churned out the default music the function was in danger of sliding into a frozen state until one of our rowdy lot at our table hit the menu button then volume button and then the atmosphere cleared.

Initially the crusty old farts faces squirmed and the customary whines of turn it down Erupted across the room but was not endorsed by the majority who seemed to be playing the wait and see approach.

With minor adjustments the volume was maintained as we moved into party games with teams mixing the participants as the table boundaries were broken.

That was the catalyst to change gear as intermingling and banter at and about the young hosts history. Personal exploits and habits exposed made great script as the players shared each other’s experiences with the couple socially and professionally.

As that phase was completed the amalgamation of the audiences was cemented with the return of the volume button cranking out the hits of ages, igniting the memories of the young and old on makeshift dance floors between tables and chairs.

The night was alight, people sang, danced, shouted and laughed loudly with total abandon, like we did when young.

Conditions did apply though, strict conditions, conditions that totally banned Facebook applied.

How ironical and sad is that request when people’s privacy request needs to be made?

Anyway As expected they poured me down the steps, into the car and off to bed waking this morning decidedly slow with new hip and lung capacity ringing protest but what a night to remember.

My best mate and me dancing like teenagers at 66 and 70 as the Jukebox pounded, the absolute unconditional devotion the engaged couple radiated. All simple and so important

So thanks Old Jukebox for just being you..

July 30, 2017

The Back Nine.

Take the time and enjoy the story from a caretaker at Lake Dyer and a client.

Two of my favourite customers whom can’t visit anymore, because they aren’t physically able to tow their caravan any more sent this. It is fantastic advice!!
THE BACK NINE HOLES
I FIRST STARTED READING THIS EMAIL & WAS READING FAST UNTIL I REACHED THE THIRD SENTENCE. I STOPPED AND STARTED OVER READING SLOWER AND THINKING ABOUT EVERY WORD. THIS EMAIL IS VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING. MAKES YOU STOP AND THINK. READ SLOWLY!
AND THEN IT IS WINTER
You know … time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

But, here it is… the back nine of my life and it catches me by surprise…How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?
I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that I was only on the first hole and the back nine was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.
But, here it is…my friends are retired and getting grey…they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me…but, I see the great change…Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant…but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d become.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore… it’s mandatory! Cause if I don’t on my own free will… I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so…now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though I’m on the back nine, and I’m not sure how long it will last…this I know, that when it’s over on this earth…it’s over. A new adventure will begin! Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done…things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime.

So, if you’re not on the back nine yet…let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you’re on the back nine or not!
You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life…so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember…and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!

“Life” is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY ! HAVE A GREAT DAY Remember “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. LIVE HAPPY IN 2015!
LASTLY, CONSIDER THIS:

~Your kids are becoming you……but your grandchildren are perfect!

~Going out is good.. Coming home is better!

~You forget names…. But it’s OK because some people forgot they even knew you!!!

~You realize you’re never going to be really good at anything like golf.

~The things you used to care to do, you aren’t as interested in anymore, but you really do care that you aren’t as interested.

~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV ‘ON’ than in bed. It’s called “pre-sleep”.

~You miss the days when everything worked with just an “ON” and “OFF” switch..

~You tend to use more 4 letter words … “what?”…”when?”… ???

~You notice everything they sell in stores is “sleeveless”?!!!

~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

~Everybody whispers.

~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet…. 2 of which you will never wear.
~~~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!
Stay well, “OLD FRIEND!” Send this on to other “Old Friends!” and let them laugh in AGREEMENT!!! It’s Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.
TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU’VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU’LL EVER BE, SO ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.

October 26, 2015

Old Age is Great…

You know what. I’m stuffed.After 2 days of golf last week, a day going to Mothers 86th, a day down just vegging out now today with a little shower this morning thought the atmosphere might improve.

It hasn’t.. Lungs are still heavy..

This asbestosis shits me off no end, but it’s not going to beat me..

Battling tiredness and breathlessness daily takes it toll but I will survive. I have jobs to do on my house and that will get done. That’s what drives me and even though some days it’s sit down and rest,no choice, I will win….

What really gets me is the mind. It wants to go and the body says piss off.. And I hate starting something and not finishing it but I have learnt listening to your body helps as the recovery level takes much longer if you don’t.

Today the lungs say air better than yesterday, the body is responding, be it slowly, the mind says lest go you pair of fuck wits and get these jobs done.

Experience says let’s see how the morning pans out…

Anyway mother called and she no longer has a clot, or pneumonia.

Yep, that was the diagnosis after the party, a night in hospital and both were dismissed..

Some times a little knowledge causes a trauma, and worst case scenarios fester. That’s why my doctor dismissed a colenoscomy as a reaction rarely needed and trauma causing at my age. Every 5 years max. Good decision I feel….

Yes old age is great, bits falling off and body slowly closing down, that’s nature, so it’s here for a good time not a long time.

That’s why my golf is so important. Good friends and comradeship, playing in a buggy on flat courses, keeps me younger, playing in company of youth keeps me younger, listening to youth and keeping abreast of their technology keeps me younger.. Staying competitive via handicap keeps me younger.

Yes recovery time is required but it’s worth every cent… And having a wife that understands sport, played sport, and still follows more sport than I do, knows that sport has never left us from the day we met at the football club where we both were playing back in about 1964.

Anyway after watching Australia qualify for the 2015 World Cup Rugby Final against the All Blacks we are really looking forward to getting up at midnight On Monday morning for the final..

I am split as I love both teams, and as I have blood in both camps apparently I’ll enjoy the spectacle….

TBC.

October 26, 2015

Value your Mate while you have one.

What a difference one day makes in our life.
After writing about my Unconditional Mate, later in the day led me to take her to the Vet after a she appeared stressed, and after diagnosis yesterday I had to have her euthanised.
This outcome has gutted us all, but we are confident we got the diagnosis early and although in curable she did not suffer.
That’s was the positive, as I owe it to that beautiful Girl who gave my life and my families so much pleasure daily.
Their will never be another Ebony in my life and she impacted on everybody who had the honour to be part of her pack. …

Love ya Ebbs…..

March 26, 2013