Friday 1 November 2019

Great Grandmothers

This is my Auntie Jean. She is 94 and she lives in Western Australia. Last time I saw her was when she was 72 and she came to the UK for a family wedding in 1997.
She has 10 children and dozens of grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is amazing. 
Here she is painting her fence panels. Last week she went for a ride on the pillion of a motorbike.
I admire strong women who don't give up, and don't get stuck in a rut. 
The Queen is just a little younger at 93, but she keeps going. She's only an inch or so taller than I am, and could easily 'get lost' in a crowd - so she often wears bright colours.
Check out this rainbow wardrobe! This week, a new book has been released about Her Majesty. It is written by Angela Kelly, who has been her PA and Senior Dresser for 17 years.
She shows a different side of the Monarch, and some hitherto unpublished photos are included. 
I love this one! The Queen looks happy and relaxed, and she has her hands in her pockets. 
There are not enough pockets in women's clothes in my opinion. 
I need somewhere to put a hankie, a phone or a door key. And when I'm preaching, and it's too hot for a jacket, I need a pocket for the microphone. 
Or for my hands. I frequently put my hands in my pockets. I do not subscribe to the opinion that it is a sign of shyness, lack of confidence, or disrespect. 
Surely none of these apply to HM? 
If it is OK for her, then it is socially acceptable. Thank you Ma'am. 
And thank you Auntie Jean, and my centenarian friend Mary, and all the other great old ladies who encourage us with their enthusiasm for life. And the late great Jenny Joseph, whose poem Warning inspired others to be themselves and be bold. 



14 comments:

  1. Your great grandmother looks so young. Mindset is definitely important for longevity. I love the Monarch spectrum. She dresses beautifully and has a lovely smile!

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  2. P.S. I agree re pockets. I use a handkerchief and it looks ridiculous stuffed up a sleeve.

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  3. My mum will be 94 in January - she would never be painting a fence though, her interests lie only in shopping and tea shops - it has become an obsession. She feels she is now too old to do very much in the house and this is actually ageing her more - so lovely to see your aunt doing some active work.

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    1. Teashop visiting is a good activity ty. At least your mum is getting out and about!

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  4. I think that one of the reasons I wear trousers is that they have pockets - and I need them! I love that photo of the queen and can't wait to read that book.
    We have something called "The Red Hat Society" over here and members wear red and purple and the craziest hats they can find to events/meetings and they always look as though they are having an amazing time!

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    1. I think that the Red Hat Ladies take their name from Jenny Joseph's poem

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  5. What a lady your Aunt is! She obviously just enjoys life to the full.

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  6. That is an absolutely wonderful photo of H.M.
    I love the outfits she wears now and always picture my mother in them. Mum would have been 99 but was tall ( 5ft 9in when younger) and had beautiful naturally curly pure white hair.
    Thank you for posting it!

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    1. I'm sure your Mum was equally beautiful

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  7. My Mum is 88 and apart from the odd outbreak of gout, keeps relatively well and can still drive herself around which is such a bonus.She's also still very proficient with her sewing machine and at the moment is reupholstering a chair for my niece.She also paints her garden fence annually!!!

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    1. I hope I can still use my sewing machine when I'm 88

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  8. All these amazing women. Really want to be making the most of all opportunities when I get older.

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