Friday, September 14, 2007

Old Age is a Gift.

Post 312 - - - - - Friday, 14th September, 2007.

Hi Everyone ~~ Well it is Friday night here in Australia so
our weekend is almost here, and it won't be long until our
friends in the Northern Hemisphere arrive at theirs. I hope
that we all have a good one with a bit of fun and lots of peace
and happiness. It has been a windy day here today, and I am
not fond of wind, a gentle breeze, yes, but gusty winds - no !!
It makes me irritable, so I keep out of it as much as possible.


A few photos tonight - not spectacular, but I call it home.



A gift from Geoff and Joanne - two lovely floral prints.
Sorry about the cord over one of them.



A little corner of the garden ~~ daisies are great bloomers.


My elephant plant holder and various others, by the front door.


My daughter, Julie sent me the first item tonight about Old Age.
I think Robyn also sent this awhile ago. Thanks Girls.

The other day, a young person asked me how I felt about being old.
I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing
my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that
it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it and let her know.

Old Age, I decided, is a gift.

I am now probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always
wanted to be. OH, not my body!! I sometimes despair over my body,
the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am
taken aback by that old person who lives in my mirror (who looks like
my mother), but I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving
family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become
more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own
friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not
making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't
need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat,
to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon, before
they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer
until 4 AM and sleep until noon?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60s and 70s
and if I , at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love . . .I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging
body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite
the pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too will get old !!

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is
just as well forgotten. And I will eventually remember the important
things.

Sure over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not
break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even
when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are
what gives us strength and understanding and compassion.. A heart
never broken is pristine and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray,
and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on
my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before
their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what
other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I have earned
the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like
the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I
am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or
worrying about what will be. And I will eat dessert every single day,
(If I feel like it).

May our friendship never come apart especially when it's straight from
the heart !!

May you always have a rainbow of smiles on your face and in your heart
forever and ever.
<><><>

Time for some jokes now - - - -

A blonde walks into the library. She walks up to the counter,
slams down a book and screams at the librarian. "This is the worst
book I've ever read. It has no plot and far too many characters !!"

The librarian looks up and calmly remarks -- "Oh, so you're the
one who took our phone book . . . ?"
<><>

Bernie was invited to his friend's house for dinner. Morris, the
host, preceded every request of his wife by endearing terms,
calling her Honey, My Love, Darling, Sweetheart, Pumpkin etc

Bernie looked at Morris and remarked, " It's really nice that after
all these years that you have been married, you keep calling your
wife all those pet names.

Morris hung his head and whispered, "To tell the truth, I forgot
her name three years ago !!"
<><>

A woman offered a brand new car for sale for the price of $10.

A man answered the ad., but was slightly disbelieving. "What's
the gimmick ?" he inquired.

"No gimmick," the woman answered. "My husband died and in
his will he asked that the car be sold and the money to go to
his secretary."
<><>

A teacher asks her class of third graders to use the word
'fascinate' in a sentence. she calls on a small boy sitting in
the front row.

"I saw an air show and it was fascinating."
"Good, but I wanted you to use the word 'fascinate' and not
'fascinating'. " She calls on a girl sitting off to the left.

"I saw some monkeys and they were fascinating."
"Good, but I wanted you to use the word 'fascinate' and not
'fascinating' "

Billy's hand shoots up into the air and she calls on him.
"Teacher, teacher ! I got one !"
"Go ahead, Billy."

"My sister's shirt has ten buttons, but she can only fascinate."
<><>

Bush and Cheney are at a restaurant for lunch. The waitress
comes over and asks what they will be having.

Bush says, "I'll have a quickie."

The waitress steps back in disgust and says, "Mr. President,
I thought that sort of piggish behaviour went out with the
last administration."

She storms off, and Dubya looks confused. Cheney shakes
his head at the president and says, " George, it's pronounced
QUICHE."
<><>


Where do 50+ year olds look for fashionable glasses ?

On their foreheads.

A guy was trying to console a friend who had just found his
wife in bed with another man.
"Get over it Buddy," he said, "It's not the end of the world."

"It's all right for you to say," answered his buddy. "But what
if you came home one night and caught another man in
bed with your wife ?"

The fella ponders for a moment, then says, " I'd break his
cane and kick his seeing-eye dog."
<><>

Q. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A. A fsh.
<><>

Just a few quotes - - - -

One of the virtues of being young is you don't let the facts
get in the way of your imagination. - - -Sam Levenson.

We may not return the affection of those who like us, but we
always respect their good taste. - - - Libbie Fudim.

Love me or hate me, but spare me your indifference.
- - - - Libbie Fudim.

He who hesitates is sometimes saved. - - - James Thurber.

Call on God, but row away from the rocks.--Robert M. Young.

Bye for now my friends - time to call it a day. Enjoy your
weekend and share some smiles and kindness. Love and
best wishes to you all. Cheers, Merle.

Post 312 - - - = Friday, 14th September, 2007.
<><><>

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you, Merle. I expect this to be the best weekend I’ve had for months: the weather has cooled off and Alex and I are feeling very comfortable.

Anonymous said...

Hi Merle,
It has been a while since I have been to visit. I love seeing the photos you have taken...Your flowers are beautiful.
Still always enjoy your jokes.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend without that aggravating wind.

Hugs,
Connie

Lee said...

I'm with you regarding wind, Merle. It's so unpredictable and you never know what damage it will cause.

It's a glorious day here today...we've been having wonderful weather most of the week.

Have a great weekend. :)

Puss-in-Boots said...

I don't like windy days either, Merle. I get cranky...and now I know what's wrong with me today...although it could be the late night I had last night.

Believe it or not, I think I can hear thunder! Goodness, it's early for storms.

Take care xoxo

Gwen said...

Hi Merle.
Love your post,the floral prints from Geoff and Joanne.
Sorry for the gap since my last visit.
But I will be seeing you in person
soon,and I'm looking forward to it.
I also want to thank you for the
"NICE MATTERS AWARD" it was much
appreciated.
Stay well dear Merle
until I see you soon. xoxo

audrey` said...

Dearest Merle
Yes! It's so nice to be back.
I was very well. Praise Him.
I was just lazy to come online.
No excuses =P
Please pardon me =)

Jeanette said...

Hi Dear Merle,love your Floral prints, that Geoff and Jo gave you. And getting old is were all getting there
great jokes The blonde tonight..Take care See u soon, love Jan

Gledwood said...

well it's weekend already here and rather HOT HOT HOT with it!!

i like the secretary jape...

yeah whose business IS it if you choose to stay up till 4, was someone moaning at you?

people!! ukk

hey have you tried this out:

http://play.blogger.com

well worth a look

i got a little message about it while signing in last night and have been on it for ages. had to come off a minute ago as the system's going too SLOW right now

do you like whitney? i posted up what i think are her 2 best (or 2 of the best) songs

i used to really hate her music when i was younger!!

Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl said...

Hi Merle,

I followed from Renie Burghardt's World.

This is such a lovely post! Right when I was in tears over your deep thought and inspiring, wise words, came the jokes! ha ha! Very smart, you are!

I am in my 30's and sometimes worry too much over petty things. I admire your carefree ways!

Have a most blessed weekend!
Smiles,
Michele

RUTH said...

Hi Merle, Seems ages since I popped over and so many posts to catch up with. Been having a really enjoyable read...thanks for all the smiles you give.
I really like your pot holders and the hanging bells from a few days ago. Lovely photo of your grand-daughters too on that post.Stay well and hope the wind calms down for you.
Rx

JunieRose2005 said...

Those prints are very pretty! I love seeing all the things around your house and gardens.


I always enjoy your jokes a lot, too!:)

Take care,


Junie

SMA said...

I find in your blog the vibrations of a life live in love and the energy of the wisdom.Thank you!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Hi, Merle. It's always nice to see you in my comments.

You have some lovely flowers and a beautiful home from what I could see in your pictures.

I always enjoy my visits here. Hope your weekend is wonderful!

Love and hugs,

Diane

Anonymous said...

Hello Merle:)*waves frantically*

I came across your blog from another forum...a lovely lady shared your link. I am so glad she did. I love your blog and your insights.

I will be coming back often:). Hope your having a great weekend. It's going to storm here today in South Aussie.

God bless you:)

Marie

wazza said...

Gidday Merle,

I'm surprised that you hadn't heard of Hoop Snakes before. Very dangerous critters. Yes, I have heard of the side-winder snakes. They are more real than the hoop snakes. This was on Google.
The sidewinder is a small rattlesnake from the southwest range of the United States and the northwest of Mexico.

wazza said...

Gidday Merle,

Can you guess that I'm spending time reading blogs and replying to comments. Yep, I've heard of the Bunyip and I think it comes under the same heading as Drop Bears and Hoop Snakes.