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Poppie's bio
I have been retired for 4 years, living on the Sussex coast. I was a GPO telephonist in the 60s through to the early 90s, before moving here. Sadly I have recently lost my partner of 25 years, very suddenly. Something I am finding difficult to come to terms with. I love cats and have one lovely Black & White female who is about 16 years old. She is adorable and has such a sweet nature. -
Poppie's latest comments
ViewDate:
25th Nov 2024
Poppie commented on:
Will you be sending Christmas cards this year?Yes, I will be sending cards. My family and friends are well spread around and, although the postage seems expensive, it's a point of contact, at least once a year, that is a bit more personal than a text or a phone call. I make my own cards, which I enjoy doing and hand deliver as many as possible. There are fewer to send each year, sadly. I have been fortunate to make a few new friends this year which is lovely ,so my list doesn't look quite as depleted. It doesn't matter if they don't send one back. I don't send for that reason. It wouldn't be physically possible to travel to see everyone, so it''s my way of saying "hello and I care ".ViewDate:
13th Sep 2023 Poppie commented on:
5 key signs of deadly sepsis that you need to know and act on immediatelyThank-you for covering this topic. A friend of mine died in January because I couldn't get a Practitioner Nurse to listen to my fears that she could have sepsis. She was displaying every single symptom of sepsis and he ignored me. She was hospitalised following a fall a couple of days later. My first question at A&E was "does she have sepsis?" Her stats were so bad and so low, they couldn't test for it, but they were as sure as possible that it was. The doctor couldn't believe that she had been left to get that bad, and she died 36 hours later, despite their very best efforts. So I hope this campaign will be sent to, and read by, every medical practice in this country.ViewDate:
11th Feb 2023 Poppie commented on:
“Number, please?”Yes. I worked as a GPO/BT telephonist from 1967 till 1991, so saw a lot of changes over those years, From the little manual switchboard in your photo to the start of the computer age.ViewDate:
17th Aug 2022 Poppie commented on:
Cats Who Owned MeA lovely poem. I've had a few cats in my lifetime. Each was different, yet adorable, in their own way. I still miss them.ViewDate:
14th May 2022 Poppie commented on:
School Dinners Way Back WhenLove the poem. I suspect I had school dinners a few years before you and they were truly awful. There was no choice and never chips as an option. You had to have what you were given and made to sit till you had eaten it all, however dreadful it was. I still can't look some of those meals in the eye, to this day.ViewDate:
30th Aug 2020 Poppie commented on:
Sleepless in WorthingThe same applies here. Shattered in Pevensey! Why are you sleepy on the sofa, and, when you get into bed, the light bulb in the brain switches on, then a little voice says "OK, what are we going to worry about tonight? There must be something and you're not going to sleep till you've found it." Loved the poem. Here's to better, more restful nights.ViewDate:
15th Jan 2020 Poppie commented on:
Would you ‘Bung a bob for a Big Ben bong’ on Brexit night?If half a million is to be raised for this,I would prefer it to be used for charities, many of whom could benefit from some extra funds. I'm sure homeless people would rather have some shelter and a hot meal than listen to Big Ben and those suffering the devastating bush fires (animals and humans) could use some help too.ViewDate:
2nd Dec 2019 Poppie commented on:
Will you be sending Christmas cards this year?I will be sending cards and, to some people, a traditional, handwritten letter. Some of my friends and relatives are elderly and we don't get to see each other. A phone call is nice, but once it's over, there's no tangible reminder of what took place. So a card for Christmas and Birthdays is, in my opinion, a must and a lovely way to keep in touch. Knowing that someone has chosen something for you, especially. Also, even now, not everyone is online or has a mobile phone so texts, emails and Facebook are non-starters anyway.ViewDate:
1st Nov 2019 Poppie commented on:
Would you like a ‘standing’ GP appointment?AS my GP practice now only treats more serious illnesses, and has submitted a list of ailments they are no longer interested in, I would definitely need to be seated. I very rarely go to the surgery as it is anything but welcoming. This would be the last straw.ViewDate:
29th Oct 2019 Poppie commented on:
Should over 70s be banned from voting on the country's future?In the same way as some young people have an odd outlook on life, so do some, but not all, older people. The one thing that us "oldies" do have is life experience and a lot of us have worked very hard in the process of gaining that. Of course we must have a vote and a say in things. We are supposed to be part of a democracy.ViewDate:
28th Oct 2019 Poppie commented on:
Should smart motorways be scrapped?I think we need somewhere to go immediately if there is a problem, not a potential 15 mile drive away. If sudden illness is a problem you need to stop straightaway. It is also possible that after seeking a refuge area, it will already be occupied. I also wonder how emergency services would be able to attend an incident if there isn't a hard shoulder available and all lanes are being used. This definitely needs a lot more consideration.ViewDate:
25th Jul 2019 Poppie commented on:
Clever uses for ZofloraI love Zoflora. It;s good value for money and doesn't have the horrible disinfectanty smell that other cheap brands have. Everywhere just smell fresh and clean.ViewDate:
11th Jun 2019 Poppie commented on:
Do you agree with the TV licence changes for over-75s?I haven't yet qualified for this, but there are a good few people who are too proud/ independent to apply for pension credit. Why not scrap all licences and fund the BBC by advertising? Yes, adverts can be irritating but they are useful for a call of nature or to make a cuppa! It would save money on detecting non-payers and prosecuting those who are caught. Apart from all that, nothing should be given by a government and then just taken away.ViewDate:
15th Aug 2018 Poppie commented on:
Speakers Corner CommentsThank-you Chris (Raindrop). I've only just found your reply. I haven't been with Silversurfers all that long either. It is a fantastic community, and has helped me in this awful time. You are all people who understand, and have been through similar grief to me. It has been so good to talk to people, who although I don't know personally, I can say what I really feel to, instead of what is expected. I just do 1 day at a time, and keep my more private thoughts away from the tactless "friends" who passed the above remarks. Thank-you again for your kindness. I hope, in time, that life will become brighter for us both.ViewDate:
15th Aug 2018 Poppie commented on:
Speakers Corner CommentsThank-you Richard. I feel for your loss, even though it was much longer ago. I've had a few more priceless gems since my top ten. The best one being "You're not the first one to have lost someone, why are you making so much fuss?" This person was asked to leave and was lucky to get out in one piece! I'm a bit further down the road now but still find some of the days unbearable. I had just broken my ankle, very badly, at the time of Cliff's sudden passing.. That is now finally mending after 5 months and 2 operations. Cliff had been on his way to visit me, on my 3rd day in hospital when he suffered a massive heart attack. he was resuscitated but was away too long, so when he did come round, he had severe brain damage. Fortunately (if there could be any fortune in this) we were in the same hospital and the nurses made sure I got to spend as much time with him as possible during his last few days. I felt my world had stopped on that last day, so the stupid, but, maybe, well meaning remarks nearly drove me insane, hence the rant. I do fend them off in a better way now, but it doesn't stop the various emotions that you have mentioned. The kindness and good wishes from the Silversurfers community has been brilliant. I wish you a good future too Richard. Thank-you again. xxViewDate:
26th Jul 2018 Poppie commented on:
Speakers Corner CommentsYou won't upset me. Try and get some rest. Check back tomorrow, let me know you are alright.ViewDate:
26th Jul 2018 Poppie commented on:
Speakers Corner CommentsYou don't have to man up or be brave. I have found it best to try and get through one day at a time. If I look too far ahead I start to panic. I can imagine what your dark thoughts may be. I have been to some very dark places. We met in our forties so didn't have children. When I had to undergo an operation the day after Cliff died, I didn't want to wake up and was most disappointed when I did. I just wanted to be where Cliff was. To some extent I still do. I have a little, quite elderly, rescue cat. Who had already lost 2 owners. So I feel I have a task to look after her. It gives me a sort of purpose. I've got myself 4 months down the line. I don't know about the nightmares. I don't know much at all really. I know what has helped me a bit. If it helps we can keep this going as 2 people getting each other through a dreadful time in our respective lives. It's difficult to sleep in this hot weather, but try and get some restful sleep tonight.ViewDate:
26th Jul 2018 Poppie commented on:
Speakers Corner CommentsIt's so hard isn't it. I do feel for you ACW. you beat me by a long way Cliff & I were together for 25 years. I sometimes wake up as you do and think he is still here. I talk to him as well, which some think is odd, but why would I not? I am told by friends who have lost spouses that it does eventually get easier. Define eventually. It is just so lonely. I don't tell anyone "I'm getting there", because I'm not. I have good and bad days, sometimes good mornings and bad afternoons and nighttime can be dire. I am now more mobile which is helping because I am, seeing different people instead of those who made some of the original comments, which sparked the rant. There have been some other priceless ones since then, such as "you aren't the only person to have lost someone, they don't carry on like you". This person nearly got strangled! The only thing I can say to that is, they couldn't have been as deeply in love as we were. I am not allowing anyone to push me into anything I'm not ready to do. I have found an inner strength for that. You will be able to do things when you are ready. If I haven't bored you rigid, I'm happy to talk anytime, and I wish you well.ViewDate:
9th Jul 2018
ViewDate:
9th Jul 2018 Poppie commented on:
Speakers Corner CommentsThank-you Angel. As you say yes we are alone. Good friends are priceless. I'm housebound at the moment too, as I broke my ankle a week before Cliff died. We were actually in the same hospital (a blessing in disguise, as I was able to be with him.) Still struggling with the ankle, have hopefully now had the last lot of surgery on it. That almost seems insignificant! It will be good to get it going again though. I wish you well. They say it gets easier, so I hope it will for us both and everyone else in the same situation.ViewDate:
13th Jun 2018 Poppie commented on:
Speakers Corner CommentsThank-you Gertrude. You summed up my feelings exactly, I've made a note of the phone number. Had I not got my foot in plaster (broken ankle) I may well have caused damage to one or two of these people. That was the enormity of it all. I was in hospital when Cliff had his heart attack. The only good point, we were both in the same hospital and I got to see him, thanks to the kindness of the nurses.ViewDate:
13th Jun 2018 Poppie commented on:
Speakers Corner CommentsThank-you Yodama. I don't only have felines, including my own, digging holes, but squirrels are partial to bulbs too! Feeling a nice glow from your hug and send you one back.ViewDate:
12th Jun 2018 Poppie commented on:
Speakers Corner CommentsThank-you Jorid. It was hard to stay polite with some of the comments. I still want his things around. It helps.ViewDate:
10th Jun 2018 Poppie commented on:
Speakers Corner CommentsPlease can I have a little rant? It may help one or two other people in my situation. Since losing my partner, very suddenly, in March, I have been very lucky to have had visits from concerned and caring friends and neighbours. However I should like to list my top ten things NOT to say: In no particular order, all these have been said to me. 1) You are still young. You'll meet someone else and start a new life. (This was said 3 days after Cliff died). 2) Do you want me to clear his stuff away, it's everywhere. 3)You need to start clearing his clothes and things out. 4)You're not still ranting on about him are you? 5) I don't know why you don't like being on your own. 6)It's no good sitting there going over and over it. Why don't you read a book or something? 7) Once you're out and about again, you'll think differently. 8)You'll just have to come to terms with it. 9) Why aren't you sleeping? Are you worrying about something? 10) Oh! for goodness sake! (accompanied by rolling eyes, because I talk to Cliff) I know it's hard to find the right thing to say and I am grateful that people care and are trying to "cheer me up" but please talk about normal things. Auntie Flo's bunions, Mrs Blogg's cat. Anything but tactless advice. End of rant. Thank-you for reading/listening.ViewDate:
9th Jul 2017 Poppie commented on:
Step back in time: to 1970Oh gosh! I was 18. I loved both the 60's & the 70's. Everything about that time seemed joyful. I suppose being young helped.ViewDate:
3rd Nov 2016 Poppie commented on:
Should the FA defy the poppy ban?I agree with our Prime Minister. How dare FIFA tell us what to do in our country? The act of remembrance is an International event. It is neither directly political nor contentious. Perhaps they should put their own house in order before trying to dictate to us. I cannot believe that none of their members haven't lost someone in the various worldwide conflicts.ViewDate:
16th Sep 2015 Poppie commented on:
Do you like or dislike Facebook's plan for a new 'Dislike' button?I can understand the reasoning behind this. However if it is something sad, I neither like nor dislike and put a suitable comment instead. This has worked quite well for me. -
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