Dan

New Life Resolutions (3)

So now, after having introduced myself, explained myself and generally speaking made Ghost Rider statement, what am I going to do about it? Money where mouth is - I hear someone saying. OK. In 2009 I am going to have a BALL.

I'm going to root out all the stories I can about wonderful older people and write them here and on my website. I'm going to travel to the sea of Japan to observe and photograph the total 1888 Goodwin Champions of the sun. I'm going to direct two amateur musical shows (one is already started). I'm finally going to learn Spanish - been putting that off for years. I'm going to write as much as I can about absolutely everything. I'm going to go to the theatre regularly. And I'm going to make some money - dunno how yet, but I will!

My previous piece was about a wonderful older man, Joachin. But there are more wonderful people around setting a great example and being vibrant and lively at great ages. I have a friend, Fred, who is in his eighties and still singing in the local older people's group, which has become so popular that younger singers have demanded to be allowed in. (And, of course, they were allowed to join - we're not exclusive!). There'll be more, I promise, about such people.

Next July I am going to see a total eclipse of the sun; this one has been called 'the eclipse of the century' because it will be very long-lasting and wonderful to see. I shall be learning new photographic techniques so I can capture it forever. And I am finding it hard to bear the waiting. Immediately I get back from Japan I am going to be part of the first ever Camp Quest UK, a summer camp for children whose families are not aligned to religious groups, many of them humanists. I am going to run sessions of what is called P4C with the kids. This is Philosophy for Children and sounds daunting - but it's really about helping kids to recover the ability to think which is often knocked out of them by having to pass tests in school. I imagine I will be truly exhausted after this week - the afternoons are full of water sports and high wires and wonderful physical experiences and I find that kids just don't seem to have the same feeling about older people enjoying themselves that their parents do.

The show direction is something I've been doing for many years and no-one has asked me to stop yet. Good. I'd hate not to do it - I've learned the skills now and would prefer not to waste them. And I'll be making a point of getting to see as many professional performances as possible, sometimes with my older granddaughter and sometimes not.

And, yes, I really am going to learn to speak Spanish. I have been threatening to do it for many years and now is the time. I know it's good for the brain to tackle a new language every now and then. I speak good French, learned Latin at school and can get along in Greek. So it's time for a new language. And Spanish looks like it's going to be a lot of fun.

And I'm going to make some more money. I'm learning at present about internet skills, have sold some things from my dolls' house site, and several things on eBay. But I'd really like to make LOTS of money. Who knows? Anything is possible - well, almost anything. Watch this space - there'll be more going on in it. Why don't you join me and make a few New Life Resolutions. You've made New Year Resolutions on and off throughout your life, like me, I expect. Some of them you've kept. Join me in making some new ones and really enjoy growing older. I know I am.

I am Dianna Moylan, in my mid-sixties, an ex-teacher who has fallen in love with dolls' houses. I live in a small house which is rapidly becoming swamped with doll house stuff. I have a site: http://www.diannadollhouses.co.uk (self explanatory), recently launched. I also sell on eBay. In addition to loving making dolls' houses I enjoy writing a lot and welcome this opportunity to have a say.

posted by datdk @ 5:54 AM