27 February 2016

Getting old is beginning to be a nuisance!  I can remember in detail things that happened 50 years ago, but who was that nice chap I met last week? It’s not only the brain, the body is also starting to let me down. I like to do as much as I can on my cars and usually enjoy doing it. Getting down and underneath is not as easy as it was and getting up again is becoming quite a production. That most valuable and marvellously adaptable set of tools - the fingers - is beset by stiffening joints and weakening grip. 

Not only that but minor damage takes much longer to repair itself these days! Having said all that (does saying it make me feel any better or not?), the alternative is currently unacceptable, so I guess the only thing to do is to grin and bear the vicissitudes of age. I am surprised I could remember how to spell that!

     It has to be said that our cars repay tenfold the pain and awkwardness we suffer looking after them. Rather like our spouses really! “Give me an open road and a 40-50 to steer along it….”  or something like that. Those days when a warm (not too hot) sun warms the shoulders; the car behaves as it should; and the gear changes slot in without so much as a snick. Well life cannot be all that bad can it? On the other hand, from a lady’s point of view, their requirements of a man do change…….

 In your 30s

 1.   Nice looking
2.  Opens car doors, holds chairs
3.  Listens more than talks
4.  Laughs at my jokes
5.  Carries bags of groceries with ease
6.  Owns at least one tie
7.  Appreciates a good home-cooked meal
8.  Remembers birthdays and anniversaries
9. Seeks romance at least once a week  

 In your 60s

 1.  Doesn't scare small children
2.  Remembers where bathroom is
3.  Doesn't require much money for upkeep
4.  Only snores lightly when asleep
5.  Remembers why he's laughing
6.  Usually wears some clothes
7.  Likes soft foods
8.  Remembers where he left his teeth

Poop. Poop.