Hi people , newbies and old friends ,it’s sometime since I last posted so I thought I should put a metaphorical pen to paper . It is now nearly two years since my wife Veronica died , and I won’t pretend that that they have been the easiest years of my life . For those who don’t know I occasionally write stuff about the seasons in the Devon country side where I live . I hope that my pieces sometimes bought a little light into the dark times we were and indeed are living with . Sometimes it is so easy to become overwhelmed by all the problems and difficulties associated with PSP that we forget there is still a world out there and we can still take pleasure in it .
Anyway I have now started on a new venture which I thought some of you might like to hear about . For the last forty odd years I have been an antique dealer but PSP curtailed my activities somewhat as I nursed my wife at home . But now , in my dotage , I have opened a small antique shop in my home village of Silverton . It has increased the number of shops in the village by 100% . I say ‘opened’ but that is not strictly true as I have called it ‘ Open No Hours ‘ because I only open when I feel like it which actually isn’t very often . My marketing strategy is to make it so unavailable that it creates a huge demand . The unavailability is working a treat , the demand is a little slow in materialising . But I shall persevere , but not too much . It is giving me a lot of fun and keeps me off the streets. Although on a sunny afternoon I put a couple of chairs outside and almost always I have company and a put the world to rights session.
I have met more people in the village in the last two months that I have been open than in the last twenty five years that I have lived here . Interestingly enough there seems to be a steady stream of middle / elderly divorcees and widows who seem intent on examining every item in the shop but without purchasing . Don’t know what that’s all about but it does save having to find new stock .
I will attempt to post a photo and if any of you happen to be passing through Silverton on your way to nowhere in particular , do drop in and say hallo although it’s most unlikely I will be open !
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Georgepa
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Hi George. I haven't posted for a very long time either. Drew died 15 months ago and it has honestly been the quickest time of my life. Your shop looks idyllic and I am so pleased you are doing something you enjoy. I keep myself very busy and get out to something every day but I still find it strange to be single after 47 years of marriage and knowing each other most our lives. I haven't managed any time away from the house overnight. In fact I haven't been away from the house for over 5 years. One of these days I'll summon the courage and have a holiday. I have a big garden which keep me very busy. I hope your shop brings you lots of new friends and keeps you happy.
I take my hat off to you for venturing out and taking on such a project! As one of the best side effects, you will have lots of contact with people. It doesn't always have to be serious social time does it?. Just a bit of chat and another person in the vicinity.
I think Veronica would be proud of you 💐🌝🛎
Anne G
The steady stream of middle / elderly divorcees and widows might be shopping for a husband.
So good to hear from you George. Carry on the good work. Some of the people you have met may be lonely and struggling and seeing your smiling face and chatting with you may make them feel so much better. It’s good to talk. I found you interesting and easy to talk to so I’m sure you have brightened lots of lives......let’s hope some of them start buying.
Hi Georgepa. Great to hear from you. I'm very tempted to take a train and visit your shop and examine your ware. Be assured I never leave without buying something, whether I need it or not, if it's pretty I'll have it! George I wish you great success with your shop, selling or just enjoying passers by. Love Maddy xx
I hope you are flashing those pearly whites at passers by to lure them into the shop to buy! Seriously George, well done for getting it up and running, maybe be you can stock local provisions too, that should get them flocking in! Pleased you are going to try to make it to the meet up in London, I'm away with my family so can't make it this time but I've been to most and must say they are really enjoyable and lovely to meet people that you recognise on the forum. If the business takes off you could even treat yourself to first class on the train to make it extra special.
Hi Georgepa, good to hear from you! And love the project. Will have to put Silverton in my itinerary when (I hope!) I visit UK next year! Antique shopping in UK is something I love doing. Used to sneak out to Cirencester Antique Market whenever I visited my Dad!
I have bought a new (to me) house and am in the throes of renovating the kitchen. Builders are everywhere making a big mess, and kitchen currently gutted! No water today as they relocate the hot water cylinder. They say they will be here all next week too! At least it rained today so I might have been able to have a cold shower before sunup!!! If i had been up and willing!
Enjoy the chats with all your 'customers'. Maybe you should get someone to add an icecream parlour or Devonshire teas next door!!
Dear George - I haven't posted for a long long while - but came back to copy the url for other PSP carers/sufferers. Always so lovely to read your musings - they made me smile and sometimes laugh out loud during all those years looking after my dad. He's been gone over two years now, I think of him every day. I miss him so much.
Hey, watch out for those ladies rummaging in your shop. I can tell you now that they're not after the merchandise
Hey Lieve, wonderful to hear from you. How are you? We will always miss our loved ones and never get over their loss, but slowly, we get use to feeling this way and life moves on.
I guessing that Georgepa’s Emporium will start to open more hours, if some of these ladies keep coming back!
I have always enjoyed your posts..........this one being no exception. My son died of PSP May 4, 2017. He had just turned 55. On the day before Mother's Day (here in the USA) I came across a box of letters he had written during his University days. One, written age 17, was especially poignant. It was like he was here...............
My favorite share on this post was you putting out two chairs..........
Well done George. Love the fact that you get loads of visitors.... shame they don't buy but at least you are busy with passing the time of day with others.
I am now working as a private carer.... but I do manage one morning a week in our local charity shop and I love it. I think it's all people that come... most just want to have a chat.
Jane! Jane! How wonderful to know that you are still with us, reading, if not posting. I often wonder what you are up to. You helped me so much during our journey with PSP. Hope life is starting to treat you well.
Hi Anne I just keep myself busy. I hated the thought of going back to work especially as I've got another 8 years before I retire. So it is handy that my next door neighbour needed help. Suits us all.
I still read the posts in the morning with my cup of coffee (old habit) don't often reply.
It is nearly three years since Brian passed away some days it feels like a lifetime ago and some days it feels like yesterday.
I’m doing well, see my reply to George! I know what you mean about time, it’s 2,1/2 years soon. On the surface I am great, scratch me and I am just as raw as day one. I suppose that’s how it will always be. Not sure I want it any different. My grandson is now nearly 10 months old and is a pure delight, can’t get angry or upset as he has to stop smiling and laughing for that to happen.
Lots of love
Anne
Hello...I too haventvreally been here since my Dad died just over a year ago, apart from recently when I posted about my blog. I've since had a wonderful response from it, which makes me realise that I should keep writing. Its good to find something isn't it to give you good days and a boost. I've started sewing and drawing & selling at markets, well trying to sell! It takes time to build up (paying) customers! Keep the small businesses going I say!
If we venture down from Bristol I'll make a point of stopping at your (probably closed😃) shop!
There is a telephone number on the door and I only live round the corner ,so if the shop is closed then phone , If I am home I magically appear in two minutes if I am not well...... there’s always another day .
Well done George! The shop looks wonderful. 21 replies so far, I told you everyone loves your posts and so many names that haven’t posted for a long time! Shows we are all still reading, even if we don’t necessarily reply. Guys, it’s great to hear from you and to our readers, I still think about you all and the comfort and support you gave me through those dark and lonely days.
Like George, my life is beginning to turn around. I have a wonderful new man in my life. Just “friends” at the moment. He lives hundreds of miles away from me, which is hard. He too is a widower, lost his wife just before Steve died, so we are roughly at the same place of grief, which helps. As he totally understands, if I have a bad day.
Life does move on after PSP, I know that may seem impossible now, but if you carry on breathing, life has a habit of making sure you eventually have to join in. As they say this isn’t a rehearsal, we are only here once. I feel I owe it Steve, to live my life to the full. I can even manage that occasionally. One day I hope I will be able to say “everyday.”
Where is the London meet up on 28 June and what time please? I know that I may be chasing rainbows thinking I might be able to get someone to be with Nigel so that I could come up by train but I guess I must believe good things can happen. AliBee
Loco Mexicano, 64-65 Wilton Road, Victoria. SW1V 1DE @ 12.00. It would great if you could make it. We all have a great time, laughing and generally enjoying time with people who know exactly what our lives are like, either side of the PSP journey.
Reading all these wonderful supportive posts...makes me wish I was back in Britain!! I am in Canada now originally from Scotland...caring for my amazing sister who was diagnosed with CBD last year...while there are support groups over here I don't know of any that actually get together...I would love that...there is nothing better than having people who totally understand what you are going through...I will be going every step of the way with my brother-in-law through this terrible journey and knowing I can come on this site and get support will be wonderful...it is so nice to even read posts that make one smile...that alone is helpful...thanks so much ...from Canada!
Why not put a post out to see if there is anyone near you, either here or in your local support groups, to see if anyone wants to meet. That’s how I met GeorgePa, Katiebow and others. I also arranged to go on holiday with NannaB to China through here as well.
If you don’t ask, you don’t get, as the saying goes.
Guess what? Just after I had written asking info I had a phone call from the hospital telling me that Nigel's respiratory appointment had been changed to 10.30 on June 28th so cannot come !!!!!
Anne, that is lovely news so happy for you. Hopefully I will get to meet up with you in June so I can thank you in person for your support and help you have given me. xx
How lovely to read your positive news. I wasn't around when you were going through your dark lonely days but I'm so glad your finding happiness you deserve it.
Hiya. How lovely to hear from you and your new adventure. Good luck. Your 'pieces' as you called them used to lift my spirits and see that there is a world outside the isolated, hard work life of PSP/CBD caring. All I can say is thank you for making me smile again. Now how are you going to know that we have called in to see you if you are not there? I do note that you have a letter box. Love AliBee
I am so proud of you. Hopefully life will open up for me as well. A little bit at a time. This looks fabulous and so inviting. I guess I’ll join the widows who browse.
Hi Georgepa I live in US, but your village and shop sound delightful. I enjoyed reading your post today, it was definitely a bright spot for my day. My husband of almost 49 years, most likely has PSP, we are still pursuing further evaluations from Dr's. Its been over 3 years since our journey began. I stop by this site often and the support and care that everyone shares is amazing.
Keep with this site it’s amazing . You will get comfort and support and make new friends from around the world. There is sadness and laughter , frustration and anger and here you can let rip and everyone totally understands .
Lovely to hear from you Brenda - actually no ,no mobility scooters crutches or skateboards . I think I’ve still got points on my licence from the last lot . I still hold the Silverton long distance crutch hopping record though .
George lovely to read your post, so happy you have opened our shop, will have to visit one day, love antique shops. Not posted for a while, lovely if you could make it to the June meet up? Sending you a big hug. Yvonne xxx
Well done, George, although it doesn't sound as if you'll make a fortune.
Next time I'm in Devon I'll call as I want to practice my bargaining skills after watching " bargain hunt " I warn you I have bargained in many places abroad and the seller always seemed happy, which rather worried me . I think I might be more ruthless now.
Hello Georgepa, your shop looks very inviting, just a pity I don't live nearby or I would be calling. I'm sure I would find something to buy. Hope to meet you in June, my first for of the meet ups. Lots of love Nanny857 xx
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