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Mike Wade's avatar

Hi Tim. If this isn't nice, I don't know what is: Every Saturday and Sunday I make up musical playlists and then select from my computer photo files a past event, holiday or highlights, from the thirty-five years we have spent together. We make it into a slideshow, open a bottle of champagne and spend an hour or so remembering how much nice stuff we've been lucky enough to experience, (while outside the world of real time accelerates towards warp speed).

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Tim Elsenburg's avatar

That might have raised a happy tear or two, Mike. If I wasn't such an emotionally repressed manly man, obviously. That's SUCH a beautiful idea. Also good for people with leaky memories, like me. Here's to many more weekends spent that well ! x

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Gareth Hughes's avatar

Tim, speaking from one who is speeding down the hill and can't even feel the wind through my hair anymore, check out @ReneBarrett on X. I don't do X but have had the benefit of Rene's support.

Joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe and love. 10 positive emotions which, by recognising them during a regular day can soon build up to at least cast a smokescreen over the usual, depressing shit. Rene asked how many I had felt one morning and I could only identify three. Now I've learned to see so many more every day - and it sounds like you're already on the right track.

Good luck with the ceilings!

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Tim Elsenburg's avatar

Thanks for this, Gareth ! I'll check Rene out... It's the noticing that's important; even as a songwriter, you finish a project and immediately get caught up in the next thing; no moment of acknowledgment of the thing being done, let alone fulfilling or even just good !

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Patris's avatar

Please go with the topknot. My husband refuses and I need to live vicariously.

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Tim Elsenburg's avatar

I'm afraid those days are over. I might be able to muster a toptuft. Or a frontsprig ? Or a hat.

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Patris's avatar

Well at least you’re trying - he’s threatened to shave his head…

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Isa's avatar

Aw Tim, I missed you and your writings. I hope that the parents are doing well (or as well as possible, I know all about that too). And of course, I hope that YOU are well xx

(congrats on the new house!)

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Tim Elsenburg's avatar

We are getting there, Isa ! Thank you x They're doing OK. Very happy to have us nearby x

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Isa's avatar

I bet that they are relieved having you close. xx

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Ian solley's avatar

On the downhill slope post 60 - I read your thoughts with recognition of that next stage that awaits - my best wishes

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Tim Elsenburg's avatar

Pipe smoking, looking over the top of my reading glasses, a silver topped cane... maybe a penny farthing ? Might start funk DJ-ing again. I'm thinking that post-55, *eccentric* is the way to go.

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Iain Robertson's avatar

I’ve missed your eloquent witterings. Welcome back 😃. And good luck with the house.

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Tim Elsenburg's avatar

Now we're about to live in a village, we should probably name the house. I'm thinking that 'The Witterings' TOTALLY fits the bill. Love to Michelle, and looking forward to seeing you both again soon ! x

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Feb 20, 2024
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Tim Elsenburg's avatar

Don't worry, Steve. My topknot days are behind me, as are my earring days, my cuban heel days and my cowboy hat days. No one needs to witness that sh*t ;-)

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