I was talking to a very old friend on the phone today, she's in another province so we tend to catch up with each other every odd month or so and get caught up in our doings and in those of the slender little mound of joint friendships remaining from the random scythe-swipes of Mr. Reaper.
I've noted something in myself lately: an increased crotchetiness accompanied by far less time for fools and eejits, all doused with a spicy mix of darkest cynicism.
Youngsters (under 60s) don't understand this so I don't mention it, though I'm sure my Resting Bitch Face gives them a clue from time to time.
I have to put on Nice Face a lot, and it's looking rather worn and tired from overuse during this PG (tourist season).
D asked me if my house was listed for sale yet and I said no, it was all too much for me at the moment.
She asked me to parse that for her.
And I said, like Eleanor Rigby, I had to put on Nice Face so much lately - public events, hosting, library volunteering and on, that there was hardly any time for RBF (see above) and she needed to come out more or my head would explode. My nice quota had maxed out. And potential purchasers traipsing through here would finish me off.
She totally got it. Her tolerance level for life's stupidities and the appalling state of our planet matches mine. Our sorry future along with Stephen Hawking's predictions in light of the Orange Nightmare's disbelief in the science of climate change is giving us elders the freedom to be as cranky and crotchety as we want and expound on this rancid world of endless war as we see it: a hopeless, boiling mess, lurking for the final shove off of its pestilential fleas - the human race.
We agreed we need to turn off the news and the newsfeeds and the Twitters and Facebook updates, treating all of it in a Kardashian kind of way as if 45 is a joke and oh let's impeach him. Soon. As if. When the real problem is those who put him there, those who keep him there and the Fourth Estate who refuse to do their jobs and leave it to very few unread non-MSMs who do it for them.
Enough jokes from the John Olivers and the Stephen Colberts. This is not satire or humour or what's he tweeting now, the toddler.
Very few MSMs are taking the current global status with any seriousness or offering realistic solutions. Because they are mostly all bought and paid for.
Which leave us elders muttering together, feeling all rather hopeless for our grandchildren. But without the physical vigour to placard and march.
You've just described me and I will be fifty-eight next month. I do understand...Hugs!
ReplyDeleteAn E you're an old soul then, welcome to the Grouchy Geezer Club :)
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Thank you...Nice to know I'm not alone.
DeleteBy your definition, I'm a youngster (age 58) with a geezer soul, and my son Everett (age 24) is a geezer!
ReplyDeleteWe're going to hell in a handbasket, I say; to hell in a handbasket.
What's going on in the States is hornswoggling, to me; I find it difficult to accept there are that many people that stupid in this world. But remember when Bush was the US prez and that was ridiculous too? And now it's even worse.
I pretty much don't listen to or watch the news, at least not daily, anymore. This way I husband my energy for putting something good into the world, instead of anxiety and anger. Does it make any difference? Perhaps only to me.
I like to remind myself, in the face of terrorist atrocities, that there is less terrorism now than there was when the IRA was doing its thing. And others too.
Are you going to wait till you've moved, and then list your house? I wish I could've gotten out there to visit before that happens, but alas, the $ can't go there at present.
-Kate
Thanks as always Kate. Yes you're an old soul too. I wish you could come visit. Not in the cards now or maybe when I move to town. We never know. Our July is coldest on record. 8 most days. I take not in my wee community garden and will make lavender jam this year. Haven't done that in over 30 years. The small bright things spur me on.
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Amen, amen. You tell it like it is. We have not watched a news program since November 8. Nauseating, the whole state of affairs. Yesterday was July 4th. There were all kinds of Tshirts in the stores with flags, etc. on them. I am ashamed to be an American. Can't be proud of a nation with Cheeto in charge! Sad.
ReplyDeleteSad is right. Tragic. Unimaginable. But he is a great distraction from what's REALLY going on and with the media poodles none of it reported.
DeleteOur fellah is pretty but devious.
Our local fellah, the provincial premier, is crooked and has the shifty demeanour of Richard Nixon.
Hell and handbasket as Kate above says.
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Very true: while Trump is tweeting nonsense, it distracts from the environmental protections he's overturning, the restrictions on workplace inequalities he's removing, etc., etc. He is a disgrace in so many ways. I listened to an NPR interview the other day w/his followers; they literally will forgive everything. He is beyond inept; just beyond. And don't get me started on all the golfing...
ReplyDeleteEnd of my rant. Best wishes on your move!
He's a tool, a puppet. The Masters must be delighted with him. He's fiddling away while they burn everything down behind our backs.
ReplyDeleteThere seriously is no hope at all.
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I intend to become a battleship rather than a battleaxe when my time comes...
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. Can an axe become a ship?
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computer down 4th July and finally new jet pack arrived
ReplyDeleteso I can on on the internet.
so, thank you, thank you - my book arrived.
your are so kind and special.
please take care, so much that we stay concerned about
really does not matter, that is what the special son tells me :)
I wish I could practise detachment more Ernestine but I need the magic elixir.😔
DeleteAnd I hope you enjoy the book.
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LOL! "Resting Bitch Face" I can do that too!
ReplyDeleteI'm 78, well-old, and pushing 80. I'm wondering that, if Jenny Joseph had the right idea, I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way. Remember that poem?
.....And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people’s gardens
And learn to spit.
Spitting I can do, it fits in well, just after the RBF.
I gave that poem to so many friends back in the day when we'd love forever and just get funnier and eat more sausages as we aged. Ha!
ReplyDeleteI've considered spitting. A lot.
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I am under sixty (although not by much) but the current state of the world and the raging toddler running my country make me heart-sick.
ReplyDeleteIt's a frightening situation SAW, we're all feeling it, but I fear more the powers behind him and how they are trashing one planet (read people) saving measure after another.
DeleteHe's a useful tool.
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What grinds me is feeling that everything I care about and have worked for all my life means nothing to people like Trump.
ReplyDeleteAnd his ilk, Hattie, I know. Psychopaths. We have far too many of them, lacking empathy and compassion. His show said it all.
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I don't feel crotchety or cynical, I just keep gasping with shock and then stoically plodding on, but jeez, the state of the world is more than alarming, especially with so many deranged political leaders in charge. Theresa May is almost as detached from reality as Trump, still set on making everyone suffer except her wealthy chums.
ReplyDeleteThere is something empty and hollow behind their eyes, I saw a clip of 45 today watching a French parade and there was no engagement. At all.
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Well you do have a wicked turn of phrase with some colorful adjectives -- would that circumstances didn't motivate you to say what I've been thinking. I'm just pouring my energy into keeping track of what's happening -- doing or saying whatever I can on the chance I might be some impact, somewhere or on someone, however slight. If not -- may never know -- makes me feel better. Do think it's vitally important we seek out and support those in Fourth Estate who are doing their jobs and not castigate them all as we hold their feet to the fire demanding their better efforts. They may be the last best branch of the four on whom we must rely. After all, that is one of this Administration's goals, which follows the patterned steps of authoritative govt takeovers history documents, to undermine the Press with the citizenry.
ReplyDeleteI do speak out (and rabidly but respectfully) locally to see if my voice makes even a small difference. It does to me. To sit and be silent is the worst behaviour. We have scandal after government scandal in our tiny corner of the universe too Joared and the masters have no time for us nuisance whinging peasants.
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There are times I think I should pick up the placard and march beside my daughter and granddaughter (who is 7) in their attempts to change the world.
ReplyDeleteWe are the only generation who understands what can happen (war) and has time to make a difference!
I agree, Susan, we are the wise old crones, and are beyond surprise at the oligarchs who now run us like silk through needles. My adult granddaughter is aware and alert to the universe and its ways and has figured out a way to make small changes already.
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which follows the patterned steps of authoritative govt takeovers history documents, to undermine the Press with the citizenry.
ReplyDeleteเย็ดสาว