Just joined so I'm introducing myself.

Hiya Johnboy, how are you, i hope that life is treating you well?
You are right, life is never that bad...it's a while lot worse!

Hello Ruball, nice to hear from you, which part of Ireland are you in? We used to go over to Clare for the potholing when I was younger, I still remember Gus O’Connors bar at Doolin point and the Honeymoon Bar in Lisdoonvarna. A very beautiful part of the world, to be sure, to be sure!
I didn’t expect to be quite so isolated at this, relatively, late stage of my life, I always thought that as the family grew in numbers, in terms of grandchildren, that I would be surrounded by loving family.
Sadly, it has not happened and I have been thrown away like an unwanted garment. It hurts at times and then there are other times when I accept my fate with grace and equanimity, there is no point in fighting against something you have no control over, is there?
My dog, Poppy, is my life now, I love her with all my heart, I guess that she gets all the love that I would have given to my daughters and their children. There is a cat too, his name is Buster, he is a huge ginger and white Tom who rules the roost around here, he comes on walks with us and other dog walkers can’t believe their eyes when they see a cat out on the hills!
I do a lot of reading and also spend a great deal of time on my computer, perhaps too much, I don’t know, but it keeps me up to date with all the dreadful things that are happening in the world today and allows me to connect with people on Silversurfers. What did we do before computers?
Well, that’s enough prattling from me for now, I hope to hear from you again soon.
Best regards

Laura

Hi Laura

Thanks for responding. I live in Donegal, a very rural area, but the people are so nice. I have just lost the love of my life, my little Bagpuss, who was the sweetest, most loving, funny cat that ever there was. It was very traumatic and she was only 4 and I haven't got over it yet. My son got married last year and they have no children yet, but his wife seems to blow hot and cold with me. I think she has turned him against me, but I don't know why. At the wedding the only member of her family that spoke to me was her father. Maybe friends are more valuable than family when you get older. It is such a shame when you have given so much to bring them up. I agree, it does hurt. I also have 3 hens called Evelyn, Hetty and Rosie after my mum and her sisters. The sisters have passed on now and mum is in a home for people with dementia, she is 96. I don't get to see her very often as my brother has 2 spare rooms full of junk, so no room for me to stay, and a cousin made it plain that she didn't really want me there when I went over for her husband's funeral in July, which I thought was a bit ungrateful as I had made the effort to go, not to mention the expense! I also do a lot of reading, I like a good murder!! I also crochet, make wine, paint and do DIY. I like cooking and trying new things. I love the countryside. I think I probably spend too much time on my computer too, but I do surveys and also a bit of mystery shopping, which gets me out and about and contributes slightly to my pension!! I haven't quite got to grips with this site yet, haven't discovered how to look at profiles or to write my own introductory comment!! Look forward to hearing from you again. Jo

Hello Jo, I'm so sorry to hear about your poor cat, it's always so traumatic when we lose a much loved pet, they become part of who we are, and then they are snatched from us. I think that I would be utterly devastated if I were to lose my 'gang of 2' Poppy and Buster, I can't even imagine life without them, they are so faithful and a 'constant' in my life, they would never leave me, unlike my children.
I have a brother, he's 7 years my junior, and for reasons that I could never understand he has always hated me. He would always ignore me at family gatherings, and he would tell the most outrageous lies about me to cousins, Aunts, Uncles etc, and when challenged he would just smirk and walk away. I decided one day back in 1985 to have nothing more to do with him and to waste no more emotional energy in trying to understand his hatred of me; our paths have not crossed since that day and I don't expect, or want, to see him ever again.
My mother died in 2011, she was a little short of her 92nd birthday, however, I didn't know of her death until 2013 because my brother didn't tell me, I found out by doing a bit of detective work. Unfortunately, my mother also hated me, she didn't want me when she saw that I wasn't a boy, she didn't like girls for some strange reason and always treated me like an unwelcome guest in her house. I could never do right by her, she would pick up on the slightest mistake and turn it into a major infraction. She ignored my achievements and magnified my childish failures, how do you cope with a mum like that?
The final indignity was her decision to leave her house and everything else to my brother, I wasn't even mentioned in the will; it was as though I had never existed.
I have been so very unlucky where family is concerned, I wish that I could understand why.
The rain has come down like the proverbial stair-rods this morning, but now the sun is coming out so I will sign off for now and take my little pooch for another walk.
Take care,

Laura

Oh you poor thing, you have really drawn the short straw with your family. At least my brother is still talking to me, albeit not often! He is 18 months younger than me. We only get on together in short bursts! You would be devastated if you were to lose your pets, they love you unconditionally and you love them unconditionally. I still have Essie, my 10 year old cat, but she isn't as loving and cuddly as Bagpuss was, totally different character. She came here from England with me. I have a couple of friends here who are arranging trips out for me so that I don't get depressed. I was stuck with not being able to go out for days out with Bagpuss as she had asthma and needed an inhaler 3 times a day. Saying that I would still give anything to have her back.

I try and keep busy here with the garden, the odd job, and I am involved with the Donegal Donkey Sanctuary. I man the visitor centre on Sundays. I used to muck out for them, but they have a couple of men to do that now and so I have promotion. I crochet donkey key rings to sell there and I do paintings to sell. You could look them up on their website. Do you have any hobbies?

My mother's house has been sold to keep her in the home, it costs £900 a week!!! But they do look after her well. I don't think we are talking long term as she is 96 now.

You take care. We have a very strong wind today, though it isn't raining at the moment.
Jo

Hello Glaslyn, I'm sorry that I haven't replied to you sooner, but, well one thing leads to another, as the song goes, and I have neglected to log in here for a while.
You seem to have been through the wringer a bit in recent months , but i'm sure you will come out of it a stronger person than before; the human spirit is so strong in times of crisis.
Old at 70? Never, age is only a number, so they say, although i know people much younger than myself who have simply given up and are, in effect, just waiting to die!
Are you Welsh, I'm part Welsh myself, my Gran was from South Wales and I think that I have always 'felt' Welsh, deep down inside my soul.
When I went to uni I was asked, 'what is your national identity?' Without even having to think about it, I answered, 'Welsh.'
I'm happy to chat at any time, but not at 3am please!
Hwl fawr

Thanks for your message.

I haven't quite come to grips with the layout of this site as yet. However, I have written about myself in a profile, and imagined that this profile would be accessible by simply clicking on my fictional name? Not so?

Yes, I am a Welsh speaking Welshwoman living in a far-flung place called Porthmadog. Are you Welsh on your father or mother's side? Did you know and visit your Gran? Where did she live?
Carol

I'm Welsh on my father's side, his mam was from Neath, Glamorgan. I have tried to trace Gran's side of the family without success, it just seems to have come to an end when she and her parents moved to England. There must be cousins and it would be great to find them, perhaps i will give it another go.
Cheers

Laura

Hiya bobble, how you doing chuck? I just logged on and saw your message, thanks for replying.
Where are you from in Lancashire? I have to admit that I'm originally from Yorkshire, on the other side of the dark hill, although I have lived in Lancashire for much longer than I ever lived in Yorks and I feel more 'Lanky' than 'Yorkie' though they do make lovely chocolate!
I hope to hear from you soon.

Hiya celtwitch...I'm doing fine thanks so just thought I would update you about me.
I was born and bred in Haydock Nr, St Helens on the 29th July 1930.....Don't stop reading or laughing....In early 2010 I had 2 Strokes and went from wheelchair to Zimmer frame then to Walking stick all of which I have now cast aside...Apart from the problem down my left side in particular my left hand I feel GREAT can't really use a knife and fork. I am blessed with a wonderful partner, she is 65, who, because she is always on her iPad with Facebook, which I detest, and playing Hayday suggested I try a Chat Room so here I am.
One thing I detested about the strokes is that it took my singing voice away as I was fortunately blessed with a good one, Sang lead roles in many Amateur Operatics, still can't complain I'm still here.
Where are we now ????We live in Northern Cyprus and it is beautiful.. Our Villa has a pool 10x5 Lemon tree, orange tree, satsuma tree Plum tree and 2 Big Olive trees. The only problem He! He! is the weather..We have had a very hot summer with temps as high as 47 C at the moment we are basking in about 38/40C Care to join us for a swim ??? We also have 2 dogs.
I would really like to continue with our friendship so I will wait patiently for a reply.
Out of interest we are 2 hours ahead of you in time

St Helens eh, are you a Saints fan? I used to follow Wigan when my daughter was younger, then suddenly she went of Rugby when she discovered the opposite sex, so I stopped going on my own, I still watch the Challenge Cup on the BBC, but I don't have Sky Sports.
I had planned to retire to Cyprus but then decided that i would not be able to cope with the heat, so I abandoned that idea. So, you are in the 'occupied' half of Cyprus, how does that work out, living among muslims?
I'm part Welsh and part Italian, but I can't sing a note, I couldn't sing if my life depended on it though I envy all those who can warble a tune or two.
I have to admit that the possibility of having a stroke is probably the one thing that really scares me, I'm completely on my own, apart from my dog and cat, and if I had a stroke and couldn't get to the phone I could lie undiscovered for days, maybe even dead when I was found. it's not a pleasant thought.
I would love to come for a dip in your pool, I will grab my towel and cossie and be with you soon.
Chat soon,

Laura

Thanks for coming back, we have a lot in common. Story about the Saints, I played soccer for St,Helens but no supporters so we went to the Good Friday fixture with Wigan and shouted for Wigan. I think they had a winger called Norgren ( wrong spelling ) I don't have Sky either so don't see much League Rugby.
Actually living in the North is good it's much greener than the South and the people are much nicer. It wasn't an Invasion by the Turks it was an Intervention but the Greeks still hate the northern side and teach their children in schools bad things about the North. We are not bothered about the Muslems apart for when they have their Ramadams when they stick to their fastings etc,
Hey stop thinking about things like strokes, think positively like I have had to do and things will turn out good.
Right,,, I'll pick you up at the Airport, you only need your cossie, let us know the flight you'll be on.