MUSN'T GRUMBLE. I'M STILL DRIVING!

When my dad was 92 we had a conversation. He said' "I've had a bypass, my prostate is an endless worry. My eyesight isn't what it was and I need new glasses.I can't hear the television properly and arthritis makes my hands and feet clench up like claws. I'm taking 20 different medicines and they make me feel sick and dizzy. Because of dementia I can't remember names and I think that all my friends are dead. I can't remember what I had for breakfast, but thank God I still have my driver's license. I don't know who you are, but would you like to come for a spin?" Getting old is no joke really, but humour helps us keep going. There is always a funny side to everything, even dementia and alzeimers disease.Indeed, it has been suggested that humour helps to delay memory loss, dementia and alzeimers. My own dementia, better known as the enemy is at bay. I don't feel that it is getting worse, although the 'books' say that it is almost certainly irreversible. However, I personally do believe in miracles, so I live in hope. Every day is treasured as if it is my last and every single day some blessing happens. Here in Paarl we are experiencing very heavy rain. It's very welcome from the point of view of the gardens and I've no doubt that the farmers are grateful. This is the first serious rain for two months which is quite normal for the Boland and no doubt the hot and dry days will be back by next week. Other parts of the country are not so fortunate and in the north the drought is a serious problem to crops and cattle. According to the Cape Times, the price of beef will double before the end of the year. The writing continues and the outline for 'Down and out In Bolandille' continues. Sales of my other books are steady and 'The Devil Pays the Piper' is the most successful so far. Boysie is missing the swimming, but with the drop in temperature to the mid twenties it's not very attractive for me. I'm content to work from the Wendy House. I was interested to see on BBC that sheds have become all the rage for men as a place to hide etc. No doubt it's that 'cave thing'.My shed is I must say pretty fantastic and on stilts so that I can see the mountains over the roof tops. Julian's dressmaking business is quieter now that Christmas is past.But she always keeps busy and is busy designing a new range of bridesmaids dresses. So for now we continue happily and steadily. Memory loss, dementia and alzeimers under control and at bay! David Barnato. Paarl. South Africa