Letting go.

[grumpa]

It's a time of reckoning I guess, it seems I must submit to 'Father Time' and the relentless forces of nature.
I just found out that I am getting old...er...um...am old.:flushed:

When the Hell did this happen!!!:anguished:
My mind, my heart and my spirit are as young as ever, but this mortal coil is in decline.
I can no longer take the lead or even for that matter take any active part in our very physically and mentally (figuring out how to not get killed) logging endeavors.
Gardening and livestock maintenance are even beyond my physical endurances lately.

Every one (our clan of 14) assure me not to worry and to start taking things easy and enjoy my modelling more, but it certainly won't be "easy" for this
old 'cock-o-the rock' to stand down.:disappointed2:

I should feel lucky I guess that I am surrounded by oodles of family and love (10 Grand Kids). Especially my beautiful Missus without whom nothing good in my life
would have ever happened.
But this, as my wise Lady says is something I will have to tackle (mentally and emotionally) myself.
She is a hard taskmaster indeed, not surprising, considering the wringer I've put her through, taking her from a life of comfortable suburban
environs and well paying (and benefited) civil service positions to a far flung wilderness lifestyle devoid of any civilized assurances of survival or anything else for that matter.

Yet we have made our way against all odds and have raised quite a brood, nothing is ever easy and we've had our dips and peaks.
I know I must settle for a much more sedentary existence and I know already it won't be easy.
Just not to be able to take those long and arduous hunting treks any more pains me. Mamma says "grow up already and put the kettle on!"


I guess I'll have to work on modelling more:rolling:

Time for those fuzzy slippers I've had for ten years but have never worn.....Jim:worried:







:rolling:

[papa 695]

It happens to us all Jim take solace in knowing that you’ve taught all the rest of the clan what they know and how to look after themselves. You will still be the clan leader just more for knowledge than work. So take it easy and has your good wife says, “put the kettle on”
And most of all enjoy the modelling, more for us to marvel at.

[Guest]

You're going to have to find a hobby Jim:smiling6:.
It certainly seems that you have played your part in life and now is the time to sit back and enjoy watching your family continuing the traditions of living in the wilderness.

[grumpa]

Thanks Ian, it's surprising how fast that old demon (Father Time) can overtake one. though I've been in a bit of denial for some time.
Decades of backbreaking work is finally exacting it's toll, and for my own good I must submit.

I would not change a single thing I've ever done after meeting my Colleen at least, some 48 years ago.
I could never stand being in too close proximity to humanity having been born and raised in a near ghetto environment, joining the
services at 17 years of age and plunged into a horrendous war and disillusionment.

Hence where and how we live, ever self sufficient and resourceful, we carry on.

Thanks for humoring me a bit, it's about -30C outside right now and the boys are happily splitting logs!
I'm next to the stove, with a 'cuppa':confounded:

Jim

[Guest]

Jim, Jim, do not let your future prospects pull you down. Ignore this so called old age, and be like me, I take no cra4p, I am flirty with the younger ladies, talk to anybody, take part in a news media forum where I can vent my spleen, discover that i really do like Heavy metal as well as other head banging 'music', just get a cd player - plug in the ear bits turn up the volume and enjoy. I have sorted out the funeral - told the council they will have to either bury or cremate, I will be in the black wheelie bin ready to go....
So do not let this thing called 'old age' get you down, grow irresponsible, play with the kids on the swings, go down the slide. I am sitting here at the moment in raggy old 't' shirt, track suit bottoms that even the trash bin would reject, the wife objects when they have to be laundered, five days growth - BUT, I am happy.
Mike.

[scottie3158]

Jim,
I know its an old thing but your only as old a s you feel. Step back and hand over the reigns and enjoy.

[grumpa]

Jim, Jim, do not let your future prospects pull you down. Ignore this so called old age, and be like me, I take no cra4p, I am flirty with the younger ladies, talk to anybody, take part in a news media forum where I can vent my spleen, discover that i really do like Heavy metal as well as other head banging 'music', just get a cd player - plug in the ear bits turn up the volume and enjoy. I have sorted out the funeral - told the council they will have to either bury or cremate, I will be in the black wheelie bin ready to go....
So do not let this thing called 'old age' get you down, grow irresponsible, play with the kids on the swings, go down the slide. I am sitting here at the moment in raggy old 't' shirt, track suit bottoms that even the trash bin would reject, the wife objects when they have to be laundered, five days growth - BUT, I am happy.
Mike.

Jim,
I know its an old thing but your only as old a s you feel. Step back and hand over the reigns and enjoy.

You're going to have to find a hobby Jim:smiling6:.
It certainly seems that you have played your part in life and now is the time to sit back and enjoy watching your family continuing the traditions of living in the wilderness.

Thanks so much guys, I do have a very nice and powerful stereo system in a private room in which I've been known to peel some paint off the walls with.
I love all kinds of music from Led Zeppelin to Rammstien, I'm VERY politically incorrect to the point that the Missus must keep an ear out when we are in company
and at times thought it appropriate to go on an extraction/evacuation mission, though I couldn't imagine why at the time:thinking:.....:tongue-out3:

Am making progress on "Shattered" diorama and a side project called "Little Chickie" hmmmm...wonder what that could be...let's just say another 'what if?'
I'll make my adjustments as needed but do intend to concentrate on modelling much more in future.

Jim

[Guest]

Jim.
We have reached an age where we find being politically correct is hard, some thing our wives have to rain us in, esp as you say in company.
Enjoy your self modelling and at -30 keep inside until its at least 15 and no less.
I worked well past the retirement age of 65 then slowing down after my retina detachment in 2015, continuing until I was 70 when I decided there was more to life than working and being self employed as i'd found modelling again.
Let the boys take the strain, give advice when asked ! and carry on as you are and give us those great models .
John .

[boatman]

Yea I just joined the club an become an OAP an as the sayin goes where has all the time gone:sad::sad: but glad I can still do modelling though
chris

[grumpa]

Jim.
We have reached an age where we find being politically correct is hard, some thing our wives have to rain us in, esp as you say in company.
Enjoy your self modelling and at -30 keep inside until its at least 15 and no less.
I worked well past the retirement age of 65 then slowing down after my retina detachment in 2015, continuing until I was 70 when I decided there was more to life than working and being self employed as i'd found modelling again.
Let the boys take the strain, give advice when asked ! and carry on as you are and give us those great models .
John .

Being "politically CORRECT" means being politically stupid and I've seen too much in my years to be that!
I do worry so about the boys though (41 and 37)
especially when they go far afield :worried: they have only been at it since 8 and 12 and I hope they've picked up a pointer or two from the old man.
when the weather warms up a bit I'll be out making a pain of myself.
They will still need me for technical advice on equipment repairs though, right?.......right???........:worried:

[Guest]

Thanks so much guys, I do have a very nice and powerful stereo system in a private room in which I've been known to peel some paint off the walls with.
I love all kinds of music from Led Zeppelin to Rammstien, I'm VERY politically incorrect to the point that the Missus must keep an ear out when we are in company
and at times thought it appropriate to go on an extraction/evacuation mission, though I couldn't imagine why at the time:thinking:.....:tongue-out3:

Am making progress on "Shattered" diorama and a side project called "Little Chickie" hmmmm...wonder what that could be...let's just say another 'what if?'
I'll make my adjustments as needed but do intend to concentrate on modelling much more in future.

Jim

There you go Jim, you are well on your way to being a 'wrinkly'. Stick with us on this site and you will soon pass as a reprobate. Politics is now our meat of choice - yesterday we had the local rep from the Labour party shove a newsletter through the door, before she could grab me by the collar I was out the door and after him to tell him where to shove his newsletter, party and anti-semantics. As for PC, I still insist on opening the doors for ladies of all descriptions, as for the rest of it, it can go where the labour party newsletter went.... For the first three years of my 12 in the army I had to endure cleaning boots to look like glass, be inspected minutely, stand outside a sentry box wearing a jacket that crippled you, and with half a bear sitting on your head, all to the amusement of the tourists - the other nine were luxury, for the last 30 years of my working carreer I had to be at a certain place at a certain day and most of it was in a certain country to deliver or collect, and like John Race, I worked well past my retirement date.
As for the kids, they will still need you when the thing that they have is beyond a mobile phone, when the washing machine leaks, the tv will not work, the hoover packs up and a wheel or brake pads need changing. My daughter and I do not speak to each other for long periods, there is no fued it is just how we have developed and it is as though we talked the day before when we do talk, She is busy with her family, but she knows if she is in trouble - pick up the phone to the old man....
So stop worrying, enjoy yourself in your 'old age'. I cannot tell you how 'old' I feel because I cannot put an age to it, I turned 71 on Sunday, do I feel that age, not a jot..... Now off to have a rant at the news, finish my cuppa, take the dogs out and then get on the bench.
Cheers, Mike.

[Guest]

Yea I just joined the club an become an OAP an as the sayin goes where has all the time gone:sad::sad: but glad I can still do modelling though
chris

Look out! we have a youngster joined in :smiling5:, now sit back and let us tell you about wimmin..... Welcome to the old farts club Chris,
Mike.

[boatman]

Look out! we have a youngster joined in :smiling5:, now sit back and let us tell you about wimmin..... Welcome to the old farts club Chris,
Mike.

HI Mike im bloomin glad you think of me as a youngster done wonders for my morale an regardin wimmin my wife tells me all I need to know in fact more than I need to know an want to hear an then I go into a sort of zombie world :smiling:. So the naggain about the height of the grass or other jobs just don't get through all I see is ship or aircraft building an I say summer will soon be here. An mike thanks for the welcome to the old farts club but my missus say ive been in it for the last decade :surprised::crying: LOL
chris

[Guest]

HI Mike im bloomin glad you think of me as a youngster done wonders for my morale an regardin wimmin my wife tells me all I need to know in fact more than I need to know an want to hear an then I go into a sort of zombie world :smiling:. So the naggain about the height of the grass or other jobs just don't get through all I see is ship or aircraft building an I say summer will soon be here. An mike thanks for the welcome to the old farts club but my missus say ive been in it for the last decade :surprised::crying: LOL
chris

Chris, My wife is the same, reackons I am part idiot, part fool and near departed...... Mike.

[Ian M]

Hej Jim. I know where you are coming from and where you are going.
Had a Hard last twenty years heaving cast iron and concrete drain and sewage fittings around. When the good lady gave me the chance to stop work I jumped at it. Worried at first that I would get bored witless. But nope. OK on days with horizontal rain and 20ms winds It can get a bit much but then its model time :-)
Truth be told I have never been so busy! The house and the garden see to that. The good news is that I can stop when I want as often as i want without a boss breathing down my neck and no real obligations other than making sure there is a cuppa waiting when the wife comes home and I keep her fed. LOL.
My knees are shot, my elbows are shot, my shoulders are shot and my back.... Meh thats shot to...
Not very great when I am not even 60 summers.
Its a mind over matter thing. My mind is young my body old so there is only one way to look at it. Mind over matter = never mind it doesn't matter.

Hoping that you enjoy your retirement as much as I do. So put the kettle on crank up the music and build something wonderful.