The Lighter Side of PMR / GCA - Just a Quick-ish One from Benjamin Towers... ;-)

[markbenjamin57]

Well, my Trusty and Dedicated PMR and / or GCA Friends here on a cooler, calmer Autumn Friday night, in the UK at least. As for the south of the USA and Florida - I can only imagine what they have to deal with right now...

First, a sincere Thank You for your many expressions of support and concern after my clumsy 'spoof' Post a couple of days ago. I had no idea how seriously you might take these things, it's been a humbling experience for me - honestly.

Ok, on with the Show:

Yes, I'm open for Business As Usual in terms of continuing to try to write 'Witty' (allegedly) posts here to entertain the now, fast-escalating 4-and-a-half of You Lot of my 'Followers' who seem to have nothing better to do than mess around here (don't some of you ever learn?!). Yes, I'm ok and haven't succumbed to anything other than Man Flu, and the usual nonsense of PMR, Pred tapering and all that goes with either of them.

That said: we all have our personal and private Lives to live and enjoy (or maybe endure?!), and outside or independently of this great social / health forum. But it seems that, to be able to share our experiences here (whether PMR / GCA related, or otherwise) is a very precious thing for many of Us Lot. 'Virtual' (i.e. online) Communities do have their place in a world where, sadly, Physical ones seem increasingly rare. But that's maybe a conversation for another time...

Ok, that's it. Have a happy and peaceful weekend all, try to take things in your stride, and keep smiling on the Journey. Believe me, it can help a lot

'Uncle' MB

[allykat]

Nice photo!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to allykat]

Thanks allykat - except I forgot to tuck my shirt in

[allykat in reply to markbenjamin57]

Ha Ha! I'm just fishing for compliments for when I post a new photo. Hope to reach Club Zero on the 10th of October. Watch this space!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to allykat]

Ahh, great, allykat!

Keep us posted on progress towards the elusive Club Zero Goal?!

[allykat in reply to markbenjamin57]

Will do.

[Hidden in reply to allykat]

Hi allykat

Should have gone to specsavers 😀 don't encourage him please

Only kidding, Mark and I are really good mates 😵 or I was untill this post 😰

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Hidden]

Ha, Pete

It reminds me of the old saying: 'Keep your Friends close.. but keep your Enemies even closer' (or something like that!).

Ok, so how to settle this one? The first to reveal Trouser legs rolled-up to the knees at dawn...? That'll give the Aunties something else to giggle about, if nothing else!

Camera phone at the ready, I enjoy a challenge..

Happy Days, despite the ravages of PMR?!

MB

[Hidden in reply to markbenjamin57]

Ha Mark

"Enemies" what enemies?

Confucius, him say "people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" never did understand it, I'm just trying to find a very large rock at the moment

Keep smiling

[allykat in reply to Hidden]

Oops, put my reply in the wrong space. It really must be a specsavers thing! See reply to Mark.

[Hidden in reply to allykat]

Hi allykat,

Don't worry, I'm always doing it. Makes for a laugh now and again 😵 but seriously this PMR/GCA is quite a pain in the whatsit 😞

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

😊

[jinasc]

I do both real and virtual. Most of posters do on this type of forum.

We all use it as an escape and also to learn. We cannot keep on moaning at our nearest and dearest, we don't want to drag them down.

So although there is a lot of nastiness on other 'social' (I use that word advisedly) media, nastiness does not exist here, there is no room for it. There is ALWAYS room for laughter or what you style as 'The Lighter Side.

Thank you and do not eat any more humble pie, enough already. I have yet to meet a human being who is perfect and I hope I never do - they would be singularly boring.

[markbenjamin57 in reply to jinasc]

Such wise, thoughtful and concise (!) words jinasc. I agree totally, thank you

[Insight329]

Uncle Mark is handsome!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Insight329]

Thanks Insight.. although you wouldn't like to see me in the mornings

[Gaijin]

I love virtual relationships.. Three of my 5 children live abroad and I get videos, video calls and photos of them and their children almost daily, while the grandchildren that live in Madrid, I hardly ever see , as they live in the suburbs while I live in the center where it is getting impossible to find parking.

I don't know how people with PMR/GCA pre internet survived.. without a diagnosis .. without pred! Must have been very lonely for them, and scarey. This forum is like having a community and a 24/7 doctor at the same time.

Great photo!

[jinasc in reply to Gaijin]

Gaijin

Just think, in the old days, Granny sat beside the fire keeping warm and hardly moving, family all around (most times) and it is was 'rheumatics' and accepted as part of getting old.

I clearly remember my Cousins Granny Wood, who never moved form the fireside and knitted, sewed and even helped preparing vegetables and then a bed in the alcove, same room. Granny Wood died aged about 66 after many years beside the fire.

Mind I am now into overdraft time nearly 10 years worth.

[Gaijin in reply to jinasc]

Wow..only 66, my age, and I don't even know how to knit or sew! I remember my grandmother, who lived with us, was always complaining of body pain, said it was "rheumatics" but my PMR- waddling gait is very much like I remember hers to be . She probably had PMR.

If that photo is recent, I would say your overdraft time isn't going to run out anytime soon. Or is it another one of your jokes and you've posted a picture of some random good looking guy ?😂😂😂

[jinasc in reply to Gaijin]

Yes, there you go, my Mam had both PMR & GCA. No, that is not to say it is hereditary.......but it is a photo of Hel (F not M)..............use your search engine and then you will see.............then put Vikings in the search box on this thread and have a giggle on a wet, showery afternoon.

So I watched the City Games with a cup of coffee and smiled, as it was sunny in Newcastle and I could, with a bit of luck and a fair wind, get there on my boat....................

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Gaijin]

I agree Gaijin, the internet is pretty amazing, even if we sometimes complain about it!

The photo was taken in Ukraine. A Looonnnggg story for another time!

[Jackoh]

No need to keep eating humble pie- you might put on weight!! I think ( reading those posts about three days after everyone else) it just shows again people's concern and support for each other. Carry on being "the lighter side" and also appreciate your imput to encourage. We all need that don't we! Nice photo!!! X Jackie

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Jackoh]

Thanks Jackie, I agree with you about how people look out for each other here. Cool, or what?!

Yep, more Mirth brewing... as is the second bout of b****y bout of Man Flu in 3 weeks. Must be something to with a lowered immune system? Hey ho....! x

[Jackoh]

How annoying and frustrating! X

[Jackoh]

To clarify- not the mirth brewing but the man flu!!!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Jackoh]

Ha!

[Hidden]

Ha Mark, I had visions of you being a good looking guy. You've shattered my illusion now 😂

Only kidding and envious 🤢 😉

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Hidden]

In fact it's all accomplished using carefully positioned mirrors and lighting effects Pete.

And.. I'm not really tall - I've just got a long face

[Hidden in reply to markbenjamin57]

Ha Mark

OYAABILU 😋 I think at some time or other we will have to explain that this is not some secret or freemasons code 😵

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Hidden]

'freemasons' Pete...? Who are they when they're at home. No idea what you're talking about. I can't square this one or lodge any kind of reply here (+ 'ROLF' symbol)

[Hidden in reply to markbenjamin57]

Ha Mark, don't worry about it, it's all in code 😀 you got me on the 'ROLF' bit, never seen one 🤔😋

[Sandy1947]

Thanks for always brightening my early morning time after my 5:00 am Pred dose while I wait for the rest of the world to join the party!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Sandy1947]

Thanks Sandy - I just wish I felt so bright, so early in the day!