September '10

I have written before about my present inability to access the computer which I previously used which has, unfortunately, meant that I am unable to retrieve some information which would simplify the composition of these articles. Nevertheless,.I have chosen a few anniversaries which mean something special to me as the theme for this month's Musings. For instance, September 11th marks the thirtieth birthday of Radio Norfolk (to which my clock radio is tuned so I wake each morning to it and then hear it all day unless turned off for the rare visits). We all remember that date for a particularly sad event - when expressing dates,  Americans quote the month before the day, as in 911. Another sad September remembrance is the 17th, which would have been the 70th birthday of the greatly-missed  Roy Waller.

Of course, I particularly remember the 24th for the birthday of my mother, who would have been 100 this year! That same birthday is shared by a former colleague who used to sit opposite me at work, hence the standing joke that (bcause of that) she saw me more than my wife did at that time!

And the 30th sees, this year, the 16th anniversary of my retirement.

                                                                                     All the Best

"It takes a long time to become young."                           - Pablo Picasso

 "There is still no cure for the common birthday."                 - John Glenn


"The best birthdays of all are those that haven't arrived yet."- Robert Orben

-"To me, old age is always fifteen years older than I am." - Bernard Baruch

" Inside every older person is a younger person - wondering what the hell happened.."        Cora Harvey Armstrong

"If you carry your chldhood with you,you never become older
- Maurice Chevalier

"There are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents ... and only one for birthday presents, you know."            -  Lewis Carroll


"You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime."  - John P. Grier

"The greatest comfort of my old age, and that which gives me the highest satisfaction, is the pleasing remembrance of the many benefits and friendly offices I have done to others."- Marcus Cato

August '10

Last month’s item consisted of the ode written for (and presented at) my retirement. Like many mature folk, I think back on happy times that are long gone, while certain things often stimulate reflection. A recent example of this is looking through an album containing the staff newsletter page and several photographs of the above occasion as well as some lists and cards, both with messages of thanks and good luck wishes. Seeing these again brought many happy smiles and thoughts (although some sad ones, too).

In previous Musings , I’ve written about the importance played by friendship in one’s life, whether a passing companionship or especially something closer and longer lasting. I consider myself fortunate in having enjoyed both throughout my life; some have even added messages to my website!  When visiting a local body’s, I was surprised to see the name of a former colleague (who had written in my above card from the Broads Authority) so I emailed the quoted address to ask if it was him. It was and he came to see me in my recent spell of respite care. We hadn’t met for almost 16 years, so we had a lot to catch up with!

A local friend for many years came round to see me and we spent an afternoon reminiscing over old times, including our earlier days with the Drama Group! He usually played the male lead while I provided the sound effects (hopefully, but not always, at the right time!). We had a grand time chatting and laughing about former happenings in our Thorpe lives. Our mutual enjoyment of the occasion was confirmed in a subsequent exchange of emails. Another thing I’ve mentioned before is the fun to be had by entering a name into a computer search and seeing what suggestions come up; do you think of Mike Ireland the champion speed skater, the leader of the group 'Holler', or me? I later did that for my friend and discovered him in a group where the present president was a colleague at my first job - wish I'd discovered that sooner!

As I write this, I've just enjoyed a visit from another friend and former work colleague of long standing. What memories we shared!                   Keep smiling!

"The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off."

                                                                                       - Abe Lemons

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want."

                                                      - Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes

"Our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books

 in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything."

                                                                            - William Shakespeare

"When you walk into a room, a healthy, beautiful smile is incredibly

important."                                                                        - Susan Anton

"Whenever I run into prejudice, I smile and feel sorry for them, and I say to myself, There's one more argument for birth control."                     - Freddy Fender

"You're never fully dressed without a smile."         - Martin Charnin

"Your smile will give you a positive countenance that will make

 people feel comfortable around you."                           - Les Brown