Story of an Old Man–author unknown

 

Story of a Cranky Old Man.....

What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?
What are you thinking .. . when you're looking at me?
A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food .. . ... . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . .'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . ... lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking?. .Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse .you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another
A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,
But my woman is beside me . . to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, .. ...Babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future ... . . . . I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing .. . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . And the love that I've known.
I'm now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel.
It's jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.
There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells
I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . life over again.
I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.
Not a cranky old man .
Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. .... . ME!!

LET’S PLAY GOLF!–August, 2012

What will we think of next?   After so many years of “fun” activities, this group still manages to find something new to do!    Thank you to Joan for making the arrangements for the golf lesson and dinner with wine at the Mays Landing Country Club.  

Happy Hatters Weave Baskets at the Noyes–July 14, 2012

Another interesting day for 7 Happy Hatter’s took place at the Noyes Museum today.   Led by Niki Giberson, we tapped into our creative sides and took the bull by the horns to learn a new hobby – Basketweaving.   Margie reminded us that mental patients often use this method as therapy.     

As we worked on our bread baskets, Niki provided instruction during each phase of the project.   She also had a gift for keeping us calm, assuring us that our projects would be completed – and beautiful – by the end of our class.   There were times when we doubted if she was right!
But – below is the results!  I think they speak for themselves.

The Happy Hatter's

Niki is pictured the third from the left.   She runs a class from her home in Port Republic on Tuesday and Friday nights.   Check out her website-
www.handsonhistory.com
or call her at (609) 652-0366  

High Tea at the Happy Hatter Tea House– June 15, 2012

Today we met at the home of Q-Karen to celebrate our five years as Happy Hatter’s and renew our chapter for another year of fun and friendship.  

A big thanks goes out to everyone who helped to make our Tea an event to remember.  Tea pots, tea cups, tablecloths plus tables and chairs were delivered in the days prior – plus “the food”.   OMG – THE FOOD – tea sandwiches of every kind – and OH!  THE DESSERTS.  This group of fabulous ladies know how to throw a party!    And, thanks to Terry and Cora for helping to coordinate our day.   And of course – THANKS to dear old KOS, for moving furniture, delivering and picking up tables, chairs and food – washing dishes --  baking his famous scones – taking pictures, making our year in review video ---- and most of all – putting up with me plus 25 crazy women in purple and red!

And – then they came!

As always, this is the time that we renew as Happy Hatter’s for another year and set up our schedule.   Here’s what we agreed on for the next 12 months ---

July 14th – Karen – Basket making at the Noyes

August -  nothing set up – thinking about either Batsto or Leamings Gardens with lunch at the Tuckahoe Inn.   Any other idea’s anyone??

September – Jill, Eileen and Catherine

October – Sheri and Judy W.  -  maybe Philadelphia

November – Sheila and Jeannie – Spa Day (spa to be announced) 

December – Karen and Marie S. – Holiday celebration – Probably Seaview for lunch and maybe a play or concert (depending on what’s available)

January/February – Connie – Movie at the clubhouse with Loretta Conte

March – Susan, Donna and Marie C.

April – Carol, Margie and Sue S.

May – Marlene, Marge N. and Elaine

**May 28th-29th –30th – Red Hats at the Beach – Wildwood  -    Karen – I’ll get the details on this sometime in January and will let everyone know.

June – Karen, Terry and Cora – Renewal

Of course – if anything comes up that looks interesting – just get in touch with me and we’ll go! 

And – we’ll always try to see the Chick Flicks! 

Happy Hatters Go Wild in Wildwood----Red Hats At The Beach–May 29-31, 2012

 

Our first multiple day outing as Happy Hatters was an absolutely awesome experience.  We had the time of our lives, laughed till we cried, ate, drank, danced the night away and every so often,  we rested.   Sheri, Elaine, Sheila and I joined about 125 feisty ladies from New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania and of course, New Jersey.  There was no doubt who the “Jersey Girls” were.  LOL   They came by bus and car.  The atmosphere over the three days was one of friendship, sistership and of course - fun. Every single lady was happy to share stories of their experiences as Red Hatters.  They were outrageous! 

From the time we arrived on Tuesday afternoon until we left after lunch on Thursday – everything was included in the price.   (except for our wine at dinner)  All meals – breakfast, high tea, dinners and shows plus transportation on the trolley.

  Tuesday, we were greeted at a welcome reception with unlimited wine and sandwiches.  

 

The Port Royal Hotel was beautiful and the staff couldn’t have been friendlier or more welcoming.  Our rooms had balconies and ocean/pool views.  They were well appointed with comfy linens, flat screen TV’s, refrigerators, and a sitting area.    It appeared that most of us occupied the 5th floor.  

After the Welcome Reception, we settled down in our rooms and rested before we were instructed to meet in the lobby to board our trolley to “Flip-Flops” for dinner and a comedy show.

The food was mediocre, but the entertainment was excellent.   This talented entertainer (Vinnie, the Italian) – not only was a comedian – but a musician and vocalist as well.   Pictured above he did impressions of the Blues Brothers, Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin – plus others.   He truly had the room in stitches.  Vinnie, a pharmacist and entertainer that travels the country – was an unexpected surprise.   We didn’t imagine that the entertainment would have been as great as it was.  

After the show, our trolley took us back to the hotel where I held my nightly “afterparty” .  Oh yes – Sheri and I do not travel without our red wine.  

On Wednesday, we had a full breakfast in the restaurant at the hotel and boarded our trolley at 10:00 AM  for our tour of Cape May – The Lighthouse – and high tea at The Butterfly Tearoom.  The weather was less than desirable – but there’s nothing that could dampen the spirits of these fabulous women.

The Butterfly Tea Room was adorable.  The owner introduced herself and told us a little about the menu and the teas that she would be serving in the antique tea cups and tea pots.  We started with a warm and outstanding scone – followed by a tomato basil soup – and of course the usual tea sandwiches and small desserts.  Everything home made. 

  There were 2 other tours that other groups did – one to Smithville Inn and the Village  LOL   and another that they called “Oh Those Wildwood Days”, where they rode the tram, lunched at Jumbo’s, rode the merry-go-round and made Sand Castles.  We were delighted with our choice.  Although Cape May isn’t new to any of us, it is always delightful. 

After a stop for some shopping, we couldn’t wait to get back to our hotel, kick off our shoes and rest up before our “Beach Party” at the Convention Center. 

Since it was our first time (this was the 3rd Annual Red Hat’s At the Beach event), we didn’t know what to expect. 

Here we are in the lobby before we boarded our trolley.

So, we weren’t exactly dressed for a “beach party” which we found out as we arrived at the Convention Center.

What a sight we were!  A sea of purple and red at it’s best.

But – we were floored when we saw what some of the other groups were wearing!   We laughed till we cried.

I don’t know who was funnier – the ladies, or the entertainer. 

Dinner was a buffet and was much better than the night before and certainly better organized and more comfortable. 

By now, Sheri was ready to flush my camera down the toilet!   

Then – the dancing began.   You may be asking how you can have “dancing” at a party with all women?   Well, there was The Stroll, The Electric Slide, YMCA, SHOUT, Celebrate, and more line dances than I knew existed.  We danced, and we danced, and we danced until we couldn’t stand up another minute.  Thank God for wine!  

After a rousing good time, we were chauffeured back to the hotel in our ever-ready trolley where some of us continued our “after-party”, before crashing for the night. 

After a full breakfast on Thursday (and some Motrin), we had free time in the morning to relax, pack and get ready for our poolside barbecue lunch.

We were sorry to have to leave and vowed that we would be returning next May for the 4th Annual Red Hats at the Beach!  This event is held every year from the day after Memorial Day to the Thursday following.   So – keep that in mind and I hope more of you will join us for a rousing good time – sans MEN.

Now that we know what to expect, we’ll be more prepared to dress in keeping with the theme – whatever that will be next year.   We spoke to the organizer, Krista – who said she just may go back to the “formal” night at the Convention Center – as they did last year.   If you’d like to see some pictures of last year’s event, you can find them on the facebook page – just search – Red Hats At The Beach-Wildwood.