zapato brewery one of three along the canal from Slaithwaite.
So, despite protests from Andrew, we walked from Marsden - 25 minutes. Muddy puddles on the towpath, so more moaning. He soon calmed down with three pints. Fiona drinks coke or tea. Doris, her mother, lives in Jamaica. Fiona was born here, but spent most of her childhood and teenage years over there. Two brothers over here.
What is going on?
Nothing we can do, but what shambles it all seems and probably going to get worse. It started for me with brain fog in lockdown, then covid followed by hernia surgery with complications. And my 75th birthday. Finally a geriatric. Though The Times this weekend prefers older person (Carol Midgley Notebook - Oct 15th). I suppose if someone gets cancelled for using geriatric, I won't complain. A couple of definitions I like. "Getting any" refers to sleep; "you can live without sex, but definitely not your glasses".
So how to stay sane? Particularly we older people. Maybe happy even? Toby Keith has some suggestions. The song features in The Mule, starring Clint Eastwood, also directing, who is in his eighties. He is a 'prizewinning' horticulturalist who neglects his family. When internet competition undermines the flower trade, his need of cash accidentally connects him to the lucrative Mexican cocaine-running business. He finishes in prison but at least the family knows where he is. I've modified it a bit.
Don't let the old man in
I've got some living to do
New things to enjoy
He's knocking on my door
Many moons I have lived
My body's weathered and worn
Ask yourself how old would you be
If you didn't know the day you were born
Lots of things we have done
Some good and some bad
Leave your sorrows behind
Enjoy the love that you have
Keep close with your kin
Talk often with friends
Toast each sundown with wine
Don't let the old man in
Stay true to yourself
Sing and dance all the week
It don't cost a lot
Keep as trim as you can
I've known all of my life
That someday it would end
leave it out on the pitch
Don't let the old man in
When he rides up on his horse
And you feel that cold bitter wind
Look out your window and smile
Don't let the old man in
Look out your window and smile
Don't let the old man in
It's a metaphor
It could be a many-legged something. Able to walk. No head, no direction.
Actually the other half a brush head.
Autumn leaf forces at work, structural weakness undetected.
No one on the handle.
Water chute belonging Kinderland. Now part of the lake attractions next to the Open Air Theatre.
90 years old and only two ropes.
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