Morning, everyone. Happy Sunday. After a damp, drizzly and rather gloomy day yesterday, this morning seems to be a bit brighter. Not exactly sunny but thinner, higher clouds. I haven't been out yet but I bet it is colder too.
Yesterday was, as expected, a slow day. I was quite weary but managed to hold off from actually having a snooze which resulted in a great night's sleep overnight so no complaints there. I pottered - you know what I mean by that - but in the afternoon I took a trip to one of the three (why do we need three, I ask myself) Aldis in town and came out with a steak, some vacu packed chestnuts (for Christmas) and some nice smelly things - candles and reed diffusers - destined for December usage.
The other things I was glad to do yesterday was just to schedule in some of the advent/festive prep stuff. December is pretty clogged in the first two weeks and I don't want to leave everything until the last few weeks. At least I don't have to worry about The Actual Day!
Today is another day with nothing in the diary but it is a two loaf day, as I mentioned before (one for Lindsey and one for Beth). I was hoping to get the dough mixed last night for a long overnight cold ferment but the leaven didn't play ball. It looked beautiful this morning so the dough is mixed and in the middle of its stretch and folds right now.
I had an interesting comment under my Norwich post which started me thinking and you know me, sometimes I like to think out loud - or, rather - through my typing fingers.
This was the comment:
Whatever age I was I'd be very worried if I couldn't remember a place I'd been to just 18 months ago!
First of all, I am not offended and assume the writer meant well. It was anonymous but I am OK with anonymous as long as they aren't nasty. Nasty things would get the boot pretty pronto but I am very lucky that my readers are a really nice bunch and your comments are lovely. Yes, I get spam, although Blogger seems to deal with most of the for me nowadays, but apart from that, yes, I'm lucky. Thank you all very much.
Anyway, I've always been bad with names. When I was teaching, I would click faces straight away, no worries, but it took me longer than average to connect names to those faces. Always. I wonder if it is associated with my poor hearing, which has been an issue since teenage years, in some way.
(I'm also a bit dyscalculic - number sequences faze me, they really do, and always have done)
Ditto with places so as soon as we got to Norwich I knew and I remembered where I needed to go to do what I wanted to do, etc. I remembered the place fine. It was the name and I smile as I type this because that is so very me.
So - worried? Well, no, not really. I've lived with poorish auditory type memory for a very long time, long before I knew about auditory/visual memories, etc.
All my friends of a similar age to me talk about not recalling things as well as they used to. It's not just me!
However, and it is a big however, I do have to bear in mind that my lovely mum had dementia in the last ten-ish years of her life so - who knows, eh? I keep myself active, mentally alert (sudoku type things, reading, word puzzles, outings, blogging, etc), physically fit with my classes and YouTube videos, I'm as social as a rather introverted and hard of hearing person can manage, I keep the hand/eye coordination going through my crafting . . . and I can certainly still string ideas together into a semi-coherent account/waffle/ramble!
My finances are in order with savings in case I do need care in the future as well as my house, etc.
You do what you can, don't you, and accept that some things can't be avoided/changed? I don't worry about this particular thing; worry is a waste of mental energy and there's more than enough things in the world to worry about at the moment anyway, but I do what I can and what will come, will come.
Thanks for the comment. It's good to think about these things from time to time. And thanks to everyone who has made it through to the end without yawning! 😉
Whatever the weather, have a lovely day, everyone. See you tomorrow. xx
Heavy frost last night and now glorious sunshine. Have a gentle day and give yourself time to do all the things that are good for your memory. I am a visual, reading/writing and kinesthetic learner (I went on a course last week) so I really enjoy all my hobbies! Catriona
ReplyDeleteMe too and I like it that way. You work with what you are and not worry about what you aren't. xx
DeleteGood to read that you are not letting memory issues get you down. I think we all worry about it a bit as we get older but as you say to dwell on it spoils now. Jan
ReplyDeleteExactly. Do what you can and don't worry about what cannot be helped. Carpe diem is the phrase, isn't it? :-) xx
DeleteIt's suddenly turned cold here but it was to be expected. It's a little brighter which us far nicer than the miserable greyness. Only two weeks to go before we start decorating for Christmas and that'll bring some light and cheer.
ReplyDeleteIt was forecast last week, wasn't it. Sun = colder in winter and I think I feel more energetic and brighter when it gets colder.
DeleteI love the Christmas colour too - it makes such a difference. xx
My memory has never.been particularly good but after a couple of TIA's it's appalling. I try to make light of it, I'm sure.my constant social isolation hasn't helped but hopefully when I move I may find people to talk to, I shall certainly try.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, staying positive is a real challenge, isn't it? Being an introvert means that I'm happy on my own but too much doesn't help so, like you, I try to stay social. Good luck with your move and building your social network. Thanks, Hester, for your comment. xx
DeleteWe are so bombarded with information that it's difficult to ignore all the warnings we're supposed to watch out for. Commonsense wins through, though, and you're doing more than enough to keep everything in good working order. 😁
ReplyDelete'Use it or lose it' is good advice to live by, so it's time I got up and did something . . . anything . . . 😳
That was one of my Dad's favourite sayings. He first heard it when he went on a 'preparing for retirement' weekend with Mum and it really impacted. I've never known anyone as busy and engaged in life as my Mum and Dad after Dad retired.
DeleteI think you do loads though, reading your blog. And your knowledge is amazing - I rarely come away from reading it without learning something new. xx
I think it is easy to forget things when we are actively keeping ourselves occupied. In fact, far from being forgetful per se, we are just so active that some things just get slotted to the back of our minds until something or someone reminds us. I don't think it is anything to be concerned about, in fact it would be concerning if you did nothing in your week, ever, and then forgot something, that would be different, but with so much going on and visits it is easy to forget one. Rachel xxx
ReplyDeleteThat's a very good point. I've been to so many places since I discovered the Broomfield coach people, haven't I? I'm so very fortunate. Thank you. xx
DeleteDear Joy, how graciously you dealt with the somewhat negative comment from the other day. I won't say anymore because that might be construed as 'stirring the pot'.
ReplyDeleteForgetting stuff, happens to us all doesn't it, but you are so active and positive I have huge admiration for you. Hope the loaves turned out well.
Alison in Devon x
Thank you Alison, that is much appreciated and so very kind. We can only do our best in our varying ways, after all.
DeleteThe loaves are waiting for the oven to heat up. :-)
xx
I absolutely agree with Alison in Devon… so gracious. No one knows what the future holds so live in the present…for that is what it is a present to be filled with joy every day in simple pleasures. Such a cosy blog Joy thank you. June
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, June. As I said to Alison, I so appreciate this and I think I am really fortunate to have such a lovely bunch of people who comment. xx
DeleteI think that's a very considered response, Joy. I noticed a similar tone to a comment on another blog, and you've been far more gracious than I would have managed.
ReplyDeleteI'm always getting place names muddled. Xx
Thank you, Jules. Perhaps the phrasing was a bit abrupt but the underlying sense was probably fair enough.
DeleteIt's easy to muddle names, isn't it? I bet we're not the only ones by a long shot. xx
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful words based on what anonomous said. I'm sure they meant well and you are always so positive.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am sure too and it made for a good think anyway. :-) Positive is good. xx
DeleteOh Joy, sorry I missed your entry yesterday, agreeing with others, you have dealt with it remarkedly constrained and very graciously.
ReplyDeleteLiving with a husband who has Alzheimer's your temporary memory blip is nothing. During the last 10-15 years and since I retired I've been on various day coach outings and twice yearly short holidays, be it birding tours, city and/or garden tours. Can I remember when and where about all of them? Of course not, but, as you experienced, they come back when I'm reminded of something about them. xx
Thanks, Annabeth. I'm glad not to be the only one. lol xx
DeleteI wouldn't worry at all about not remembering that you had been before 18 months ago, sometimes when I'm out with Alan he'll say 'why have we never been here before' and usually I have to tell him 'we have ... last month'.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue. No worries, I just tutted at myself really! Alan has my sympathy! xx
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