Introduction

Hi @Oaktree

Thanks for the reference, I'll check it out and come back later to reply to your previous post which sounds very interesting.

Cheers

@HenryX

Hello @Oaktree

Just listening to Liz, cavorting around the notes with a lovely voice. Liz starts off, and I'm thinking “what a lovely voice”, then she says that she can't even sing after a warm up. Listening further, I'm thinking that the piano sounds like a part of her personality. I like her style. A very good introduction to my singing group activity, this evening, which starts in about 20 minutes.

I keep my licence up to date. Still have an MC licence and am thinking of looking around for some casual or short term driving. Most of my experience has been in metropolitan type buses, with some experience in MC work, grain carting. I agree that cars have changed a lot, from good old fan belts, plugs, distributor points and head lamp globes, many of which could be purchased at most service stations. Now if it breaks down a tow truck is usually the requirement. However, getting 3 - 400,000 km wasn't possible with most of those older cars, even with the appropriate servicing. My vehicle is all wheel drive, gets me to most places that I want to go and is 16 yrs old, and at 300,000 km, is still very serviceable, which I'm happy with. But it is due for new "shock absorbers" all round, which I have, just need to fit them. I can understand the dump truck driving, on a set route, being boring. But, yes, I can also see that being a goal and an achievement, as well as the fun and challenge in the different work that you did in the mining environment.

I was trained as a driver of armoured personnel carriers (APC's) at Puckapunyal.

I just arrived back from singing, now about 8.20. The observation was made, “You're in good form this evening, good to see!” I guess that sometimes I must seem rather quiet and reserved.

There is a main parking area, that is a few hundred metres, up stream, from the spot to which I have referred, adjacent to the river (creek) bridge crossing, which really attracts most travellers and general visitors. Most people from city areas, even Geraldton, don't normally go down little tracks off main roads, so I think that the area to which I am referring is probably frequented more by local townspeople and more adventurous campers. My vehicle is an all wheel drive station wagon and is more versatile for that type of driving. But really the spot is fairly easy driving, not really even a 4WD track, and, as I say, it is only a short way off the road, and somewhat hidden. So, I will be stopping there more often, maybe with a lunch pack, and stay there for a while to enjoy the surroundings.

Thank you for the reference to the “With One Voice” site. The singing sounds to be very much in the same vein as what we do, but we are all very much amateur singers. Very much old school “singing around the piano” style. I have, however, sung in two good choirs, the first being Collegium Musicum at UWA, many years ago. The other was the Geraldton Choral Society, in Geraldton. I do miss that type of singing very much.

I must say, Meg, that I have never been a very good letter writer, but I do enjoy corresponding with you.

For now

With My Best Wishes

HenryX

@HenryX

I really suck at writing letters, but I do enjoy writing to you and hearing back from you even more. Zerafina was on the With One Voice Live stream after Liz tonight and she did all 60's music. You might enjoy looking at that if and when you have time. I do enjoy Liz more though. I really like the song Rubberball. Do you remember that one? I think it was either 50's or 60's. I am glad you were in fine fettle by the time you hit your singing practice tonight. You sing at the home on Thursday don't you? Maybe keep singing at home. Keep your spirits up. I can just imagine you doing the gardening and singing away. What kinds of music do you prefer? I am pretty eclectic in my tastes. I like a range of things but I don't like head banging music or rap. I like pop, country, a little rock. I can't think what else to add - looking forward to hearing back from you

Hi @HenryX

Feeling sorry for you checking your notifications tonight. Feel like I have tagged you a bunch tonight.

Oh dear @HenryX

I really hope no storms are actually brewing over on the virtual writing thread. I don't have the energy for that.

Meggle

Hi @Oaktree

It is always a pleasure to hear from you. Definitely no need for feeling sorry for me because of your notification entries informing me of the arrival of your notes.

Earlier I had eighteen notifications, of which eight would have been appropriate for me to give a response, ie “mentions”. However, I have the feeling that I may have stepped on toes. I think, partly because of that, I wrote the piece for the other thread. Having written that, I will see what transpires. Please, if there are strong reactions, tread softly, watch and see. I think that I am cautious about what I write, not because of you, but rather, for you. Just stay cool, please. I don't think that the issue will be on the writing thread, at least I hope not.

I just rolled back the thread on “Writing and Receiving letters......” and realised that you were able to help Sophia last night with her transfer issue. I am very pleased. And some pleasant comments also. Thank you. I had intended offering Sophia assistance, but was distracted by other events.

We do sing the song “Red Rubber Ball” at the song group. It is a song which I also really enjoy. Other popular songs are, “Sinner Man” & “The Rose”. When we first sang “ Delilah”, I felt quite uncomfortable and a little distressed by the lyrics, but we now sing that most nights as well. We use the “Sing Australia” song book series, that has a wide range of songs. My preferences in music are like yours, eclectic and fairly broad. A lot of classical music I love, which almost immediately brings to mind “Bolero” by Ravel. Most music with a bit of tempo I like. I have just picked up a performance of

“Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 by Edvard Grieg at Benaroya Hall”

to which i can listen while I write this note, however that was only a 2:41 clip, so I shall have a look for something longer. This will do the trick,

“Edvard GRIEG - The Greatest Hits (Full album) 1hr 25min.

I have to play it now, much more softly than I would like, but it is still lovely.

Like you, I definitely do not like rap or head banging type stuff. Can't even give it the credit of being classified as music. But from most other styles I can select pieces that I enjoy.

We sing at Residential Aged Care on Thursday from 10.30 to 12.00 . 12.00 being lunch time. I am glad that you have stimulated some extra enjoyment of music and singing in addition to what I already do.

It's 2.15 and getting cold. I think that it is time for sleep. So I shall send this off and hope to talk with you later today.

With Best Wishes

and the hope that your day will be very pleasant.

@HenryX

Hello @Oaktree

I am, as a result of your encouragement, accessing some of the music that I really enjoy. I was aware that I could have music playing while typing in a separate program, but had simply not really done so. At the moment I have Playing, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

Thank you for the impetus to avail myself of that resource. I will also be looking more at the “With One Voice” resources.

I am about to have a coffee and some lunch. Look forward to 'speaking' with you later.

With Best Wishes

@HenryX

Hi @HenryX

I have spent a few hours napping today as I was feeling a bit depressed. I spoke with my haematologist on the phone yesterday and my neutrophils are still decreasing in numbers although all the rest of my blood work is fine. So they want me to have a bone marrow biopsy. Was thinking in 3 or 4 weeks time. Got a phone call today only to find that the doctor has written first available and they are booking me in for Tuesday morning. I have contacted a lady at my Church to see if someone can take me as I won't be able to drive myself home and hubby can no longer drive due to his eye problems. Anyway it's all just a bit stressful.

Meggle

Hi @Oaktree

Thanks for your note re what's happening, Meg. I am pleased that you are able to rest because of, or in spite of feeling somewhat down. Things seem to be happening on the medical front for you as well. However, from the tone of your note, while any medical and psych issues are of concern and stressful, you appear, as much as I can tell, to be dealing with the issues with a substantial degree of calmness and composure.

I find it amusing, that I did not want to use the word equanimity, so looked it up and found, what I think of as, far more reasonable sounding alternatives.

Good to hear that most of the results you have had show as positive. It seems to be good that any additional testing should be completed quickly.

It is disappointing to know that your husband's eyesight had affected his ability to drive. I am noticing some deterioration in my eyesight, so I am aware, even if only to that extent, how much it can affect our day to day lives. Fortunately, glasses are sufficient to deal with mine at the moment.

The fact that you have back-up and support from your church is gratifying.

It's cold and windy here, so I am tucked away from the weather – again. However, I am otherwise well and looking forward to warmer weather.

With Best Wishes

@HenryX

Hello @Oaktree

I noticed that you are becoming more active in other threads. Also, thank you for the tag on Dimity's decluttering thread, where I have left a message regarding our situation in common. In that message, I didn't tag you as we had previously discussed.

Since you have been more active, would you like me to tag you in other threads where I think that you may have an interest, or you have been active, or keep the situation as exists at present? I'm happy to respond in any way that you wish. I will continue not to tag others in this thread, without discussing with you first.

Also, My Very Best Wishes for Thursday's appointment. (It is just on 11.30 pm, as I write this.)

With love and Care

@HenryX