Wanting to contribute something to the blog a while back I started these musings (a.k.a. ramblings of an old git) and I do enjoy letting my mind rove over the past, and occasionally a thought of the present.
It was only about three years ago that I began to consider myself old. I wrote this at the time and it also expresses some of my philosophy:
82 – Who Knew?
Sheep in the meadow
Cows in the corn
1940 the year I was born.Birds in the treetops
Pigs in the sty
I look in the mirror
And have to ask why.How do you do it,
How do you stay
So virile and handsome
On this your birthday? **Rats in the pantry
Mice in the barn
I like to laugh
And tell a good yarn.Goats in the backyard
Beware of the bull
Live life with sunshine
And make your life full.Fish in the river
Horses that prance
Get off your backside
And have a good dance.Stoat in the Winter
Ants in the gravel
Go far away,
Do plenty of travel.Grass on the lawn
Ice on the rink
Make sure above all
You don’t forget drink.Trees in the dark wood
Coo of a dove
Last thing to tell you
Make sure you love!** poetic licence¬
Gillygangle
Speaking of the blog I reflect on the days when we had a tv, when my weekly paper bill came to about £24 (none of which I pay now) and stack that against the enormous value for money of this blessed site. I make a modest contribution each month and I praise the Lord ( i.e. S.B.) for keeping the whole thing spinning; sometimes finances must be close to the bone. Come on Puffins, on this 10th anniversary, let the moths out and ensure we go forward well funded.
My poor dead oldest brother often used the phrase ‘What can I say’ My father used to say ‘It’s all kidology.’ Philosophers both. What can be said of this travesty of a government on Budget Day.?
I received WFA of £300 as opposed to the usual £600. Reading the bumf they stated that for couples, the other party qualified only if they were on some benefit or other, being much younger than me my wife does not qualify where previously a couple received £600 irrespective.
Noted that Tommy Steele is knocking on a bit – great entertainer and if you are in the mood ‘I’ve got a handful of songs to sing you.’ Loved his version of ‘Singing The Blues.’ Ahh. Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be!
A striking thing about the site is the wisecracking and responses zipping across the thread like a crackerjack.
I know times have chnged but whenever I was out with my mates we used to enjoy a lot of horseplay, piss-taking and laughter. Twice last week I saw groups of four or five lads walking together all concentrating on their mobiles. A bit sad to my mind.
Occasionally see something on Gab – Andrew Torba : ‘Get on board or get out of the way.’ ‘If you don’t know your destination any road will take you there.’ Worth a ponder or two………………
In my book ‘If it ain’t broke why try to fix it’ I have my AOL set up so it inserts address and password and bingo – I’m in. From time to time it slips into 2 tier sign in – appears random – why do computer people always bugger about so much? Similar with on-line banking – now it asks for date of birth and as for the times needed to obtain an OTP for what should be straightforward activity really boils my piss.
I prefer streaky bacon. Does anyone know of a source for thick-cut streaky? All I can find is wafer thin even in one package marked as thick rashers. One of my favourite dishes is pea and ham soup and a stall in the market here does lovely big hocks for £5 but also sells ‘bacon bits’ at £2 a pack which I find great for the purpose -far too salty though so next time I will boil it off first.
The budget was true to form – increase taxation on the workers, spend more on illegals and not a sniff of cutting the bloated bureaucracy, reducing state pensions, getting value for money and top of the pops climate change bollocks.
I knew a lad who had a mobility car, he had a problem leg but still seemed fit enough to play football regularly. Read that Rayner used to have her boyfriend driven around in her paid by the taxpayer official car. There is so much scope for reform, but with so many snouts in the trough nothing will be done short of the Civil War that is needed.
Made a point of watching PMQ’s, I lasted about eighteen minutes. Notable that all speakers read from notes; afterwards played an extract from Enoch Powell – no notes, no aides, just proper statesmanship. TBF Kemi did not use notes but it is disgraceful that we have a Nigerian as opposition leader and many effnics in positions of power in a White, Christian country. It was also notable how much braying and tumult was exhibited by MPs – ‘The honourable’ – what a misnomer.
The phrase ‘Earning a living’ came into my mind and I was reflecting on what it entailed. Most British people took it to mean finding a job straight after eduction, buying a house and bringing up a family whilst providing security and comfort for them.
I started work at 15 (and am still doing some paid work) but we managed to send two girls to private school (partially due to re-mortgaging in the days of house value appreciation).
Like millions of other people who have never had to rely on benefits I resent funding these invaders, the welfare state and MPs, Lords, NGOs etc. etc parasites on the body productive.
© Gillygangle 2025
