Now that it seems lockdown could be going on for quite a time, I was wondering if anyone has heard about the King Lear Prizes organisation? It is a not-for-profit organisation that organises competitions for older people ( generally, though not exclusively for over 70s) to help keep us busy ( and keep our minds off all the bad stuff!).
During the first lockdown, they held competitions in musical composition, short story writing, poetry, longer stories, and art.
My 91 year old mother, amazingly, won the first prize (£1,000!) for art with one of her beautiful embroidered pictures ( and there were thousands of entries). My husband was also chuffed to receive honourable mention for a guitar composition ( Julian Lloyd Webber was the judge).
No doubt they will be running more competitions to help keep us sane when we are stuck at home, often in isolation. Anyone interested, please look at their website
No!! If my 91 year old mum isn’t “ Pastit” there has to be hope for us all. She really is an inspiration- I bought her a tablet for her 85th birthday ( mostly to communicate via Skype and the like because I live 125 miles away) and she determinedly conquered all the necessary IT skills.
She also looks at YouTube videos to find out how to do everything. Last Christmas, she Googled how to repair her knitting machine, then bought all the necessary parts online, and mended it all by herself! Since then, she has produced 4 jumpers on it. I only wish I had half of her energy ( and her health)!
As you say an inspiration to us all, well done to your mum, if she could bottle what she has achieved, I would certainly buy some. Oh well, the only thing I have achieved is to finish building my 5inch gauge steam locomotive.
Wow, that’s a great achievement! My husband will be very jealous. I finally just finished knitting a sweater that’s taken me 11 months to do ( just in time for the colder weather).
What a wonderful idea! There is so much untapped creativity in all of us. I am just about to start teaching the piano, via Zoom, to a granddaughter who lives in Vancouver; we will be using the Suzuki method, and the introduction to Book 1 mentions that creativity is not simply a gift that we are born with, but something that can be developed in anyone.
That’s an excellent idea- must get my husband to try distance guitar teaching to our granddaughters who live miles away in Devon. Thanks for the idea! X
Your Mom is so talented, her work is truly beautiful..congratulations also to your Dad ...and a big thanyou to you for sharing their accomplishments ..what a marvelous idea.
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