I was a “summer” baby

Another 365 solar cycle completed

#smilingontheinside – 17 June 2025

I find it interesting how solar “cycles” have us (me!) reflecting … questions like “what have I achieved in the last 365 days…?”, “where am I at today vs today-365…?”, “am I healthier…? fitter…?”

When it comes to healthier and fitter, I think I can answer yes! to both of those (regardless of yesterday’s Braemar requirement). I’m 2.5kg lighter than I was 365d ago, so that has to be a good thing. #smilingontheinside

This time last year, we were packing up to move and that was exciting. We’d had an offer on our house, there were boxes absolutely everywhere and both of us were very excited about the beautiful house we’d found in Stratford.

A place that we (almost) couldn’t have made any improvements on. Little did we know it was all about to fall over as the purchaser on our place withdrew his offer. Then he re-made it. Then he withdrew it again. That was onehelluva roller coaster.

One of Today’s Messages Made Me SmileOnTheInside

Growing old is an honour and privilege

I met a wonderful woman for the first time last year … she told me that in her opinion growing older and old is a privilege not nearly enough people experience … and that watching someone grow older / old is also a privilege and joy … again because not nearly enough people get to experience that either.

She’s the mother of a son who died by suicide.

On our recent Wellington trip, I spent a bit – not nearly enough – time with a woman whose son had, and was still, talking about suicide…

Two young teenage men … one whose mother would not have the privilege of seeing him grow older and of he seeing her grow old. The other I’m praying will start seeing the sunshine and feeling purpose in his life very soon, so that he and his mum both experience that privilege.

I keep telling myself that age is just a number … and then I think of all the things I still want to do and wonder whether I have enough time left… and yet, the flip side of that, is I don’t want to be that manic person who’s only about achievement … been there, done that, have been told I walked over people who got in my way and was scary – a woman I’m certainly not proud to ‘fess up to being! … hopefully – please God! – I’m no longer that woman and haven’t been her for quite a while…

But man! did she get stuff done!

So here’s to the reframe that growing old/er is a privilege… #smilingontheinside

Ford Transit “Handbrake” Practise

Releasing the handbrake on the Ford Transit isn’t what I’d describe as “easy”. Alan reckons it is; I disagree.

Because Alan was on another overnight yesterday, we “practised” me being able to release the handbrake so I could drive the van to Auckland (for servicing) tomorrow.

I think I’m going to develop a very strong right arm. Man! It takes a lot of grunt and ooomph to get the handbrake off!

I’m not sure whether I feel a sense of satisfaction or not when I can do it. What does go through my mind is that I really don’t think it should be this hard!

Back in the day squillions of years’ ago

You’d never (probably) guess from my accent that I’m an East Ender, a Cockney, born and bred. Which means I was born within the sound of London’s Bow Bells. Specifically, St Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside, London EC2. It was damaged in the Blitz but has since been restored.

In London, you have your first child in hospital and, if you’re fit and healthy, your other babies are born at home. Being the first, I was born in hospital – well, dad once told me I was almost born in the back of a London black taxi, whom they weren’t sure would wait long enough to get to ‘ospital.

Because I’m a Cockney it was Walthamstow Hospital (officially, Whipps Cross University Hospital), in Leytonstone. However, being Cockney, I only know it as Walfamstow Ospital in Ley’unstone, as there’re no “th”, “h” or “t” sounds in the Cockney Dictionary.

The weather back in the day

The Weather in My World Today

---

Here’s to being fitter and healthier today…

Here’s to having the privilege of celebrating another birthday…

Here’s to looking forward to Alan getting home!

---

Here’s to SmilingOnTheInside!