Being 60+

When you get to a certain age you start to develop an Invisibility cloak that makes you less prominent amongst people. One's worth in society takes a massive hit and it creates a move from the all inclusive part of living to a more isolated living on the fringes of modern existence. When people reach the higher echelons of 'time spent' they get put into a category of afterthought. "Oh did you remember to invite Andi?" Or " It's not his cup of tea, he won't really enjoy it", or "we'll send him a gift instead". We become problematic, more of an inconvenience that has to be negotiated so that our feelings are not hurt. This is probably even more prominent when you don't have a family of your own, there is not even the bartering of blood to use as a trade for time, companionship or just a little acknowledgement.  I see why older people like to talk at bus stops, in queues, in shopping aisles, under a tree trying to avoid...

It's the 3rd of January and I took my money I got for my birthday to treat myself to some urgent dental work. I use the word treat sarcastically and also as a sad reality. I know I need a couple of fillings as they had fallen out in the last couple of months. So I took my £80 (Band 2 treatment is £73.50) to cover this. After my initial visit the dentist advised he can fill and clean the teeth but I would need a crown. So I went up to the receptionist to book another appointment and pay. She advised it would be £320 as that is band 3 which covers crowns. I work part time and the reason I have had to wait in pain so long is to be able to afford to have NHS dental treatment. I paid the £73.50 and she said he will only be able to fill the one tooth then. So be it. Welcome to being 60 and in need of dental treatment.  I can see why people opt out of working when all essential services to survive are extortionate prices. You earn just enough to cover rent, gas, electric, council tax, wat...

Cashless shops were far and few between before the COVID pandemic. Since the pandemic there has been a prolific rise in the number of shops and establishments changing over to a cashless method of payment. This is infuriating and in some instances prejudicial to certain members of our society, such as, homeless who don't have bank accounts, older people who struggle with cards and the young who don't have cards. Mostly this has hit me with the smaller companies I am trying to support instead of the larger corporate companies . The smaller businesses are trying to be all funky and hipster to attract those with a more discernable income where the £ in their worlds is of little value (see below) Today I went into a lovely little cafe attached to a cemetery to grab a cup of tea. When I offered a five pound note I was told that they don't do cash. I purchased with my card but thanks, I will now not use your cafe any longer , if you can be diverse in your food and drink offerings...

Taken from the track "An Extraordinary Day" by the supergroup Asia. From the album titled "Phoenix" All of the good times, all of the bad Responsibility is totally mine I know I rightly stand accused But I believe Yeah, I believe Yes, I can change my world Go, seize the day Wake up and say This is an extraordinary life Oh, oh, oh, oh Enjoy today Come what may This is an extraordinary life Oh, oh, oh, oh

My trainers were bought for me from a charity shop nearly 2 years ago. They have served me well. But after a very long illness they have finally passed to the great feet in the sky. I wish I could say they died of athletes foot but I am no athlete 😁 I have walked many a mile in them through parks, towns, cities, fields, cemeteries, churches, meadows, forests and many other places where my curiousity took me. I will miss them, as a true believer I feel the reason to have trainers is to walk, run, jump and play in them. Not to have in plastic cases as a sign of decoration and the proof of ones own status in the accumulation of assets in the form of trainers made in the far east under hideous working conditions.  I have managed to purchase a new pair as I had to due to the fact that one of the trainers nearly fell apart on one of my walks (see next picture).  Not a pretty sight. I will have a small ceremony for my beloved trainer's and wish th...

Well it's been a long time since my last post, but that is not to say that things have not been occurring. Back in May I started to focus on the ever popular 10,000 steps per day. A very arbitrary figure and a thing that seems to attract a few more people to exercise or at least more movement, which is a positive thing. I set out tondo 10,000 steps per day as recorded on my Google Fit app attached to my phone. In June I ammended this to 12,000 steps on work days and 20,000 steps if it was not a work day. As of today 29th June I am averaging 120,000 steps per week.  Walking alone cannot bring about the health outcomes that I am seeking. Focusing on my habitual eating patterns and changing things  what I am consuming will  better for me and in turn better for the planet. An example of this is the not eating bread at home any longer. By not purchasing a loaf of bread that I will pig out on at home has been a good move. I have not given up bread but merely removed...

When things are shifting your way a tad and the things you want to change are, then it is important to keep going. Consistency is key to all things in life and getting to one's target point requires that continuous effort. Far too often the cogs stop and the motivation disintegrates in a pool of self hatred and a sense of failure. Of course there will be dips, troughs and slumps but you have to negotiate these and toss them aside.Getting back on that path in that rich vein of consistency is key to reaching one's long term goals. And when that point arrives it's even more important to stay with the consistency to stop, what seems like an automated response, reverting back to old ways and negative behaviours. My body is a lot slower now I am in my 60's, along with my brain and enthusiasm for life. Only by getting back into the things that drove my passions, in my more productive days, can I hope to keep a longevity with my well-being. Aspects of my health are improving an...