Life As It Is ...: 2023 - New Car, Singing Group and Shrub

Recent Posts have been "on hold" due to forgetting password and all damn hassle involved in getting back into the account!

Anyway not a lot happening in our little world except the usual routine stuff but it is our little world we like.

Dave 'shouted' himself a new car … downsizing being the main reason and maybe also being defiant about Electric Cars. The VW Tiguan is the last diesel car made in 2023 so it was his choice. It has all the luxuries of the old Volvo but a tad smaller and reckons it has the same grunt. He has spent time finding out all the abilities of the car and he proudly shows them when I'm in the car. He's still working on the Park Assist, reckons he has to trust the car first before he allows it to takeover. Vehicle has nice clean lines to the body without being overstated (he says).

Anyway he waited ages with all the 'supply distribution excuses' so he's happy to finally get it.

Dave on Anzac Day displaying his Dad's and own medals after returning from the Dawn
Service.

U3A Retro Jukebox Singing Group

One of my new activities for the year …. tee hee I can hear you all thinking as David often tells everyone I'm the only Maori that can't sing.

For those who don't know, U3A is a self-help, adult education. There's a range of educational, physically, and socially stimulating activities aimed at over 50s. Most members are empty nesters, semi-retired or retired - emphasis is on enjoyment, interest and fun.

Anyway I chose to join the most fun and the (most difficult) Retro Jukebox, they rock out hits from the fifties and sixties. We practise weekly and also perform for various community groups from time to time. Some of us even wear our best rock and roll outfits.

Now the truth about it all, we have computerized music with loud volume blasting-out and we sing to it. No one can really hear the flat and out-of-tune voices as the music disguises us. We have all the lyrics in front of us so we look and sound quite authentic. In the picture below, Chrissy, the lady with the red necktie is the sole person who has a wonderful voice. She carries most of us all of the time. Believe it or not, our singing that everyone does for about 90 minutes a day, really does have an overwhelming quality of making one feel 'good'. They reckon it's all about getting lots of oxygen into lungs and breathing which gives out the good vibes. Anyway it works for me.

Members performing at Grevillea Gardens in April

I'm hiding in the back row, 3rd from the right. This particular occasion we were at an Old Persons' Home and we had a live audience. Most of the women singalong but a lot of the old fellas usually have to be wakened with a cup of tea and biscuit. They give the impression to 'sort of ' enjoy it.

I often have a giggle and think this is the scenario in reverse in about (hopefully) 20 years time.

On this occasion we were at the Lions Club Senior Citizens Meeting. The audience were ones of our own vintage and we were received very well, polite applause but no encores! Maybe next time …

Believe it or not it is Fun.

These couple of shots are mainly for Jodi's benefit. She gave as a 50th anniversary present back in covid times this Crepe Myrtle or a Pride of India plant. It was a mature shrub at the time and during Spring and Summer it has a mass of White bunches of flowers. Ad the seasons cool the leaves change colour.