The Lighter Side - 'Uncle' MB's Weakly News In-Digest... ;-)

[markbenjamin57]

Greetings to You Lot of Polyphilandererers, Pred-Perambulators and GP GBH victims.

I hope you're all looking forward to a relaxing weekend - as far as one can when on the often painful, frustrating and uncertain PMR / GCA Journey..

First, I'm sorry not to have been around much this week to torment you with my Silly Mirth as usual. "So, that's the good news" I hear you say! :-D. In fact, it's been a busy one here, for better or worse:

First: an SOS visit to assist an 'older' relative who I will simply refer to as my DOT: 'Dear Older Twister' (..age 70 - but better not say for fear of her pulling-rank on me as her younger 'Bruvver'..). Said frail relative, who already has Osteoporosis and previous 'form' for self-injuring in gardening and other domestic 'accidents', attempted to defy the Laws of Gravity whilst perched on the top of a flimsy step ladder to (her q.) 'pluck some juicy gems' from the upper reaches of her tall, prized Apple tree. A textbook Health & Safety / Working at Heights story for the archives? Even I (aka 'Superman') wouldn't have attempted such a risky manoeuvre - PMR or not. But this adventurous trait does run in the Benjamin family....

Result: 'Twister' has a heavy fall, breaks 3 already fragile ribs and 1 step ladder (I'm gutted - it was my best step ladder ). But in true family style, said relative is just-about on her feet with a healthy spirit of 'On With the Show' and smiling as always - despite being grounded (excuse the pun) for at least 3 months whilst recovering. Maybe that's where I get it from..?

But seriously (I know, unusual for me), maybe these things are a reminder that none of us are getting any younger (PMR or not): and the ambitions of the Human Mind can sometimes be Out-of-Synch with the realities of Physics and / or the limitations of the Human Body. And.. these things are even more demanding when those of us with PMR / GCA are caring for others of our Nearest and Dearest at the same time. Food for thought...?

Ok, so next (The Bad News for some of you)...

2. By popular demand, a few of my now fast-expanding group of 5-and-a-half (clearly deranged?) 'Followers' here have recklessly encouraged me to publish some of my Ramblings on The Lighter Side as a 'proper' book.

In an attempt to satisfy their / your Bonkers Needs for some physical (as opposed to virtual) reading material, I'm pleased to announce that production of THAT 'FUNNY' BOOK is underway and it will be released before Christmas as a paperback in the UK and Internationally. When I say 'released', I mean it in the sense of a Convicted Criminal being let-out on Licence, conditional on their Good Behaviour and re-integration into 'Normal' Society...

'Write Me Funny - Ramblings on The Lighter Side of Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis' will be available from late November, and with the generous support of PMRGCAuk. Any of You Lot who are daft enough to want a copy will be able to order via a link from the main PMRGCAuk website to my dedicated 'book' website, with more information and a secure ordering / payment facility via Paypal and inclusive, delivered prices for book purchases in the UK and internationally in the relevant currencies. 25% of the net proceeds from each copy sold will go directly to PMRGCAuk, so we all 'Win' in the process. More details will follow in my next Posts and the PMRGCA Winter News Wire, so Watch This Space...

So, that's it, Folks. I'll be back - whether you like it or not! Try to keep smiling in the meantime, and also try to remember the ancient proverb: 'This, too, will pass'.

Best wishes to all here in the meantime

MB

[SheffieldJane]

That's wonderful about the book Mark! Well done I look forward to getting my copy. Your poor sister, she sounds great, hope she heals quickly.

I hope you are feeling as fabulous as you sound. I'll have a double of whatever you're having, for sure! 🍷

[shella in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hope ‘twister’ on road to recovery best leave ladders to window cleaner....,

Can’t wait for ‘funny’ book... signed copy please !

[markbenjamin57 in reply to shella]

Thanks shella. I agree, not a good idea to do acrobatics up step ladders at age 70 - and with previous form for this type of calamity!

Will do re. the book - just give me a nudge when it all becomes 'real'?

Best wishes

MB

[markbenjamin57 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Many thanks Jane

Yep, it's exciting to advance the book plan :-). My Sis, although frail, is pretty resilient. I put it down to 40 years as a head-teacher!

I'm not feeling too bad, all considered. Down to 3 mgpd Pred and holding steady despite doing quite a lot more recently. The dreaded DF (Deathly Fatigue - the worst of the symptoms in my opinion) is easing. Maybe the 'system' is balancing itself-out gradually..? Fingers crossed...

So, the wine's open, gently tippling away, and plotting and planning - as always Have a good rest-of-the-weekend.

MB

[Perkey in reply to SheffieldJane]

I agree Jane a double for me too can't wait for the book. 🍹

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Perkey]

Thanks Perkey, will keep you all in touch. Cheers!

[Kaerick]

Sending Twister some get well wishes!! Can't wait to receive a copy of your Funny Ramblings - hope it will be available for your USA friends as well ? Keep us posted.... supporting all of your efforts and valuable contributions!

Cheers to you!

Kathryn

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Kaerick]

Ah, bless, Kathryn - will do

'Twister' knows about my antics here and has a healthy SOH too. Like me, she always finds The Lighter Side of whatever Life throws at us.

Yep, THAT SILLY BOOK will be available to 'You Lot' in the USA and other countries. It should be easy to order from across the Pond - albeit that the postage will cost a little more than in the UK. I'll keep you 'posted'

Thanks as always for your lovely feedback and kind thoughts on the PMR / GCA Journey.

'Uncle' MB

[Kaerick in reply to markbenjamin57]

🤡😎🤠

[Hidden]

Thanks for the update Mark and I hope your sister recovers swiftly 🙂

Can we assume that the 25% of the net proceeds will at least enable PMR/GCA.UK to take us all on a lovely holiday 🤗

Keep smiling on this uncertain journey

Pete 😵😉

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Pete - it's been a busy week all round. As Harry Hill would say: "And, Rellaaxx..".

Yep, I'll advise the Trustees of PMRGCAuk to do a deal with a Tour Operator to get us all together for a reunion in an exotic seaside location. Weston super Mare comes to mind - but then it would.. ;-). How about Monarch Airlines or Ryanair for the flights?

Hope all's well with you, good to pick-up the threads.

MB

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to markbenjamin57]

Ryanair hasn't gone bust yet...

[Hidden in reply to markbenjamin57]

Ha Mark

I was thinking more like Manly Beach in Australia, It’s a great place where my son took me scuba diving there a few years back and I have been longing to return.

Keep smiling on this intrepid journey

Pete 

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Hidden]

Ha, Pete!

More later... been another busy day today

[Hidden in reply to markbenjamin57]

Keep at it Mark, some of us want that book

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Pete. But to quote the ancient Chinese proverb: 'Be careful what you wish for..'!

[tgca]

Good luck to your sister and great news about the book but was the Friday Night Special not a little bit sober in content? 😿

[markbenjamin57 in reply to tgca]

Thanks tgca

You're spot-on. After quite a demanding week physically and emotionally I realised I wasn't on top 'comedy' form - but wanted to pen something here anyway. Actually, I feel quite flattered that some of You Lot have such high expectations of me in the Entertainment Department (Silly Lot)!

But don't be disappointed - I have no intention of letting you down. More Mirth coming soon...

MB

[tgca in reply to markbenjamin57]

Hooray, I await Friday evening and, by the way, with reference to Manly Beach, swimwear and the new plastic notes, would budgie smugglers be appropriate swimwear for the forthcoming Big Trip?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Perhaps DOT would be well employed during her recuperation with links like

top5reviewed.com/fruit-pick...

Though this is my preferred link, being as it is Italian and used locally...

amazon.it/dp/B0002TTRMG/ref...

[markbenjamin57 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro - she should have got one of those in the first place!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to markbenjamin57]

Christmas is coming...

[markbenjamin57 in reply to PMRpro]

Good idea PMRpro - but since I have banned DOS from any physical work in the garden (or anywhere else for that matter) for the foreseeable future and confiscated her ladders / tools etc, I think she'll have to buy her way out of these outdoor maintenance tasks, i.e. pay me to do it?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to markbenjamin57]

I'm sure you could make good use of them too for the apples out of reach. Remember, you might be little bruv - but you have PMR...

[markbenjamin57 in reply to PMRpro]

Spoilsport.. :-/.

Ok, yes, I have PMR but I maintain that I will return to my pre-PMR status as Action Man. All in all, I feel fortunate compared with some...

[tgca in reply to markbenjamin57]

Just done my own bit of Action Wo/man attempting to bash a mosquito off the ceiling, newspaper in hand whilst balancing on a stool... all for the sake of a manic, fly-loving hound. Result: stool tipped forward and I fell back (luckily onto the carpet) but good old pred will encourage large bruises to my arms and calves.. hey ho, all in a day's entertainment.

[markbenjamin57 in reply to tgca]

Ohhh.. Noo... tgca! But I can relate...

[Jackoh]

Your poor sister! Hope she recovers well. Really good news re the book and the timing is perfect for Christmas. Well done!!

Every cloud has a silver lining 😀

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Jackoh]

Thanks Jackie

Well, the Twister is pretty resilient - although this latest escapade has given her a tap on the shoulder (or, to be more precise, a hard kicking in the ribs?).

Yep, the book's coming together - at long last...

Hope all's well with you too.

MB

[Jackoh in reply to markbenjamin57]

Yes I'm rolling along thank you 👍😀

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Jackoh]

That's good to know!

[Sandradsn]

Hello Mark,Sorry to hear about your twister.I hope she is on the mend.My husband fell off a step ladder cleaning the conservatory roof as you do.He fractured his elbow/arm and gashed his head open.He left a trail of blood everywhere ,up the doors,on the windows and through the house! He takes aspirin!.

Great to hear about the book,well done!!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Sandradsn]

Thanks Sandra

Ohh, sounds like a DIY Horror Movie! What is it about some of us relative 'Oldies' doing Heroics at a time in Life when we should start be more cautious? But I think I know that answer to that one!..

Thanks re. the book, more updates to come. Have a lovely rest-of the weekend.

MB

[jannie21]

Great news I have a birthday in November so it will make a brilliant birthday present I have already told my other half - can't wait.

Hope your sister is recovering alright, just the sort of thing I would have done pre PMR. In fact I tried to clean the tiles over the bath by standing on the side of said bath, I slipped and the Dr said it was a wonder I had not broken or fractured my eye socket, well we all live and learn. I am older and maybe wiser now lol time will tell lol. Gentle hugs to all, Jannie x.

[markbenjamin57 in reply to jannie21]

Thanks Jannie

My 'old' sis is ok, if her usual defiant self (!). It runs in the family.. or is it Human Nature?

'That' Silly book should be available by the end of November. I'm pushing forwards with the whole process in the next few weeks, it's exhausting but exciting at the same time! And, of course, PMRGCAuk will get a slice of the financial action, and well-deserved too

Hugs to you / all here too - a fantastic 'Community' on all counts.

MB

[trish29]

Hi Mark ..Great News about the Funny Book and l will be ordering a copy ..l will take it away with me when l go away like l do with Kate Gilbert's Book. As l get hit with Brain Fog at times l can't Always see the Funny side of things and then later in the day when l read it again l can. This PMR really is a trial and tribulation with emotions. Tears , laughter ,frustration and pain. I so hope your sister is getting on ok. Take care . trish29

[markbenjamin57 in reply to trish29]

Hi Trish

Many thanks, I know exactly what you mean about the Trials and Tribulations of PMR - 'Brain Fog' and 'Deathly Fatigue' being only a couple :-/.

Yep, publishing / production of 'That' Silly Book is underway - more progress updates soon. It's lovely to know that a few of You Lot appreciate an antidote to the often more serious stuff here.

In the meantime I've decided to auction the said Sister / aka 'Twister' on ebay. She might just fetch a few quid...? (ONLY JOKING!).

MB

[trish29 in reply to markbenjamin57]

Hi MB ..treat your sister like Gold ..l lost my Eldest Brother in February and l miss just knowing he's at the end of the phone..but keep up the Good Humour and Poems and l agree about the awful Fatigue. trish 29

[markbenjamin57 in reply to trish29]

Thanks trish. I do, and will. Like you and your brother, we are very close too

[Zofitmogelijk]

Hi Mark, an excellent idea about publishing your book, Good luck with that it might become a bestseller. For me it is not easy Reading, English not beeing my native lanquage. Your sister must be in pain, with the fractures and all that, hope it subsides soon. 🌅

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Zofitmogelijk]

Hi Zofitmogelijk, many thanks! :-).

In the book, I will give references and explanations of the characters, scenarios and obscure English 'jargon' (slang / colloquialisms) for my International Friends who aren't native British-English speakers / readers. It might help some of you to understand my silly humour, and where it comes from?

My Sister is ok, but I will be watching her carefully for a couple of months....

MB

[Insight329]

So sorry to hear of your sister's (and ladder's) accident; but, glad that she has a doting brother and is on the mend.

Congratulations on the book! How exciting. When it becomes a best seller, movie rights sold and movie made, we all will have bragging rights of, "He's my friend." My question to you is what actor will you request to play the role of MarkBenjamin57?

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Insight329]

Thanks Insight - I don't know about 'doting', maybe (equally..) 'dotty'?! For better or worse, it does run in the Benjamin family...

Thanks re. the book - I wish! One of the succession of James Bond movie Actors would do as 'MB57 - Special PMR Agent Without Portfolio' - but only if they can live-up to my suave reputation, seductive charm and razor-sharp wit (as if - ha ha!).

And as for my Stunt Man / Body Double.. maybe Lord Lucan or The Dalai Lama?

[markbenjamin57]

Greetings Kathryn!

Thanks, yes, I can now claim to be a Legend (i.e. in the literal sense - 'ancient, and of dubious authenticity') Ha! :-D. It's a tough Life being a famous author - opening sacks full of fan mail every day, avoiding the Paparazzi, etc. I asked my bank manager what to do about all the begging letters asking for money. He just said: 'keep sending them - you need to repay your overdraft somehow'... ;-).

I'm sending you a private e.mail with details about how to order and pay for the book from outside of the UK - hope it reaches you ok but let me know if not. You will be my first 'International' book customer - WOW, thanks!

Reno Nevada sounds exciting. Reminds me of my favourite R.E.M. track, 'All the way to Reno..'!

Best wishes

MB

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Please take you email down from public view - use the messaging system for that! This is social media - would you put it up on FB?

[Kaerick in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry 😐 ...... I have my email on FB - doesn’t matter to me really - none the less I will delete. Sorry again .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kaerick]

No need to apologise at all but I wouldn't have my email in public view on FB!!!! Unless I had seet up a special account just for the forum for example. Far too many wierdos would be able to see it. You would be surprised how many people don't think about this being an open to the world forum, all they have to do is sign up and they can see it all. I don't know about you but I get enough junk in my email box anyway.

[Kaerick in reply to PMRpro]

Oops 🙊 forgot who I was chatting with - sorry Pmrpro .... thanks and have a good evening or is it morning! 🙄

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kaerick]

What difference does who I am make? I'm only another patient who likes to save her mates from bother No apologies needed!

[Kaerick]

Thank you ....I actually deactivated my FB account some time ago - so now no one can contact me 😎 Enjoy your evening! I’ll look into the info u sent me do I can order your book 📖 🤩 Can’t wait!