Thursday 20 May 2010

Life Sucks

We've been a bit full of ourselves lately. Bordering on the decrepit, and neither of us in the best of health we decided to 'slab' all the rear garden, bringing maintenance to a minimum. (More on this later.) It's no small job, neither is it cheap but its about half done and my wife in particular is highly excited. (Perhaps it doesn't take much to excite my wife and I should know!)
From a materialistic point of view I reckon we have nearly everything. Nice house, motorhome, some money in the bank (rapidly diminishing.) New gates, new sun canopy on the decking; a choice of food, warmth and the freedom to do our own thing. It's easy to get carried away.
I read my diary for May 1985 and the following made me think. (Ida was my aunt and owned a terrace house in an extremely poor area of the town.)
'Spent time with Ida unsuccessfully trying to locate 'Old McGowan', Ida's tenant. He has seemingly moved all his worldly goods around two to three miles over several trips, via a purloined shopping trolley. The items include wardrobes and a divan. The journeys have continued in pouring rain. A truly remarkable feat. We need to find him to ascertain the position regarding gas meters (full and now unattended in his absence, an act of great folly in this semi derelict area.) We fail to find him (or he simply does not wish to talk to us at either his old or new residence.)'
And the following, ironically the next day's entry.
'Bumped, literally into Fred, a colleague of some years ago. How personal circumstances change with the passage of time. Five years ago Fred was an ordinary, domesticated, rather humdrum but seemingly contented individual living the life typical to many teachers, semi detached living, unexciting but uncomplicated.
Five years later Fred lives in a caravan with a woman seventeen years his junior. He has just survived a serious nervous breakdown, suffered depression and psychiatric problems, come close to suicide, changed jobs and inevitably life style. His physical appearance has so changed that I recognise him only with difficulty. How great is the cross some have to bear, however self-inflicted that cross may be.'
I wonder where 'Old McGowen and Fred are now? Makes patios and garden makeovers seem very unimportant in life's overall scheme. Mind you its just as well, one of the builders (that's fifty per cent of the work force) has just gone home with with a badly damaged back!

16 comments:

Sueann said...

Oh dear! Sounds like things are coming along nicely! Albeit a worker bee is down. Hope his recovery is quick!
It is interesting how quickly life can throw us some big curves. We think we have things all figured out and then...WHAM...right between the eyes. And our whole world shifts! Tilts on it's axis! One just never knows!
Hugs
SueAnn

the fly in the web said...

I always just hope it doesn't hit me...

Jennytc said...

Very much the luck of the draw in life, certainly. Hope your back will be better soon.

Tideswellman said...

Nice work as per usual Ken, i'm impressed by your many followers dude!

Von said...

Ah!Life! that wondrous thing of beauty and change!

Lakeland Jo said...

My conclusion to it all is- enjoy everything you can during every day. Make the most of even a sparkle of sunshine in a gloomy day. Today is all we have got, yesterday has gone and tomorrow is still to arrive. Carpe diem. Enjoy- you deserve it XXX

Nakamuras on Saipan said...

I appreciate every moment- the good and the bad...and never ever take anything for granted. Hope the concreting comes along nicely.

Anita said...

We all need an occasional revelation to snap us back to appreciating the good things about our lives.
Hope the end result of your garden gives you and your wife much pleasure.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

slommer
Wise words! Never take anything for granted.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

fly in the web
its best I think that we dont know whats coming.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Jennyta
Its the workers back, i dont do enough to get a bad back!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Tideswellman
thanks
I still find replying to your blog difficult. Please send me a short email to prove youre still out there!
kenneth.stevens1@ntlworld.com

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Von
All very true and philosophyical!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Jo
Thanks. You have a determined sensible outlook on life. Its the only way, plus keep taking in the alcohol, or is that just me!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Nakamuras
Concreting finished. No skips on the front. Bliss!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Anita
Its brilliant. Will one day film it when I learn how properly.