Weekend Feature – Another Black Pudding !

AnotherBlack Pudding

Anne and I recently celebrated our fifty sixth wedding anniversary.
What to buy for a present for her? I settled upon simplicity and instructed the florist to deliver a rather special bouquet of flowers.

What present did Anne choose for me,? A Black pudding!. Yes it's true and I was delighted.You might laugh but I have down the years for birthdays and anniversaries had quite enough socks, neck ties and handkerchiefs etc. She could not have pleased me more than with a Black Pudding.

Advancing years have made me very practical, so elaborate presents have lost their charm. A Black Pudding! Now that is different.It is true that I have ( at different times) bought trinkets for her whilst visiting the Caribbean, Mexico, & Cairo. Elaborate pieces of embroidery whilst in Alaska. Beautiful painted boxes whilst in St Petersburg. But I think we've passed all that, – so now,it's flowers and black puddings.

Mychildren suggest that I have lasted too long and become a boring old fart. There could be something in this, though until fairly recently I have thought I might be approaching but not arrived at old age and have busied myself making preparations for this (as yet) untried state.

If I have in fact now begun my old age it is sitting very uncomfortably upon me. Getting started in this old age business is rather unsettling. I remember when I became sixty five my father described meas being 'In the youth of old age'. It would be a great convenience to me if I could find out when old age is likely to officially begin. Even greater would be the convenience if I could discover when it might end.

I should then know if I'm likely to need two or perhaps three new shirts. But then, upon reflection, maybe my draw full of shabby ones might suffice and my rugged old Jeans will surely last me out. These early preparations have included an attempt to be less extravagant in the belief that we might need, (at some late stage) some money for a place in one of Audlem's rest homes for the aged.

Bugger it! I shall turn the thermostat up another notch. I shall leave lights on all over the house and I shall encourage Anne to buy new curtains if she fancies them.

At 65 I decided to treat myself to a new Harley Davidson.Later I decided that my Harley was getting heavier and I was likely to fall over with it, so I sold it and bought a lighter 500cc twin and I am dammed if this too has not become too heavy. So I'm thinking now that ( and in deference to my weakening state ) I shall have to sell that and buy a 400cc twin. This isreally getting tedious.

I can no longer pull and push the Aeroplane in and out of the hangar, so I have had to install winches to help me with these tasks. Last Saturday my son waited at the hangar for me to return from my flying exercise so that he could help me to put it to bed. I have to do a minimum of three landings and take offs each 90 days to keep current.

I don't now buy shoes with laces any more. If I can't pull a piece of Velcro over them I don't want 'em. Last week I had an invitation to celebrate with Les his eightieth birthday in December. Les was my special pal at school.That set me thinking. – It seems no time at all since I was waiting in his parent's house for him to finish his piano practice each evening so we could go out to play in Jerusalem Wood and now he is eighty. Further more I have recently celebrated my seventy ninthbirth day. What was my 79th birthday gift : yes you've guessed. Another black pudding, but with the addition of unparalleled and unprecedented generosity, I also received a brand new bar of soap as I strode purposefully towards the shower. Mycup is full and running over.

Geoff

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