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Retired in retirement.
Life's ups and downs.
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (199 votes) 
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Fiddlerman
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May 22, 2023 - 3:56 pm
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Great job on the stands Colin!

What you said reminds me about the joke that I tell everyone. I have a great memory, the only problem is that it's very short. 🤣

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Mouse
May 22, 2023 - 4:40 pm
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Hey, @Retired! So glad you have not forgotten us. Great to read what you have been up to. Thanks for bringing up-to-date.

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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ELCBK
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May 22, 2023 - 5:56 pm
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@Retired -

Glad to hear you are still keeping at it! 

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Retired
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May 23, 2023 - 2:38 am
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Hi,

Thanks so much everyone for your kind replies. When I recorded the Amazing Grace it was just after digging up eight huge tree stumps together with roots using spade and jacks; I was so tired after each day the work taking two very hard weeks I didn't sleep at night I just dropped into a coma; my bones ached; my arms and hands were stiff and I had difficulty supporting the violin. What a sorry story but after 36 years of nothing but hard work living here I've finally broken through and am now spending more time in the studio.

Playing from one of my violin tutorial books I noticed Twinkle twinkle little star a beginners score; I must be improving not only playing my violins but also with sight reading it took all of five minutes to play this; whoopee.

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Here's just a part of what this year has been like for me so far; I'm 75 still doing this heavy work but it saves having to join a gym; the area is now our new middle wildflower meadow.

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Here's yet another big job I had to sort out subsidence damage; our two roomed rear extension broke away from the main bungalow damaging the roof; ceilings and three walls; another two weeks work; it was all insured but contacting ther insurance company  was worse than joining hands to contact the dead; I did the work and no longer have home insurance also yesterday I've changed to another insurance company for car insurance.

Sorry for all these off topic stories but for 18 months since my wonderful wife generously bought me my first violin I've had more punishment than pleasure trying to get time to play it; 22 years fully retired what a joke.

More to follow with my intended plans. Time for breakfast.

Kind regards, Colin.

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Retired
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May 23, 2023 - 10:23 am
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Hi,

Today I've been spending time copying solo violin music not exactly solo because most are accompanied but I've got what I wanted so far; Amazing Grace; Ode To Joy; Hallelujah; Lara's Theme etc; I've used my Rode mic and Tascam pocket studio; saved then exported to my desktop; I now need to use "Audacity" for a bit of editing then finally copy to memory stick.

In the studio I have a 12V car radio powered by a mains adapter connected to stereo Sony speakers; I've done this because this car radio plays memory sticks and has repeat function.

I'm shortly in for violin Karaoke; I'm unsure how it'll turn out but I'll soon know. It's nice to have spare time at last; I'm as determined as ever to play my violins; it's very rare to get clear days; tomorrow we're driving over to Leeds it's going to be at least four hours at the hospital which will occupy much of the day; Thursday?

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Nicely set up for copying; computer monitors located under desk; works a treat and costs nothing other than time; I've already got a number of the music scores but I need to find more; at last I'm making progress without hassle.

Kind regards, Colin.

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Mouse
May 23, 2023 - 12:17 pm
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@stringy Don't forget, Fiddlerman has free downloadable sheet music. 

https://fiddlerman.com/studies.....and-music/

You could modify is needed.

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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Retired
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May 24, 2023 - 3:21 pm
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Hi,

Many thanks @Mouse I've a great deal of catching up to do; I've now downloaded a selection of the music scores kindly supplied by Fiddlerman but need to resize them they are printing too large; not a major problem just taking a bit of time; I'll enjoy having a go at these possibly tomorrow if I can get into the studio; today as usual was taken up by 8 hours at Leeds St James Hospital (UK) it being an appointment; I wonder what's in store tomorrow when I get out of bed; if I live long enough I plan to have studio time.

Kind regards, Colin.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
May 25, 2023 - 12:32 pm
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Retired said
Hi,

........I've now downloaded a selection of the music scores kindly supplied by Fiddlerman but need to resize them they are printing too large......
  

Glad that you found something you like. :)

Resizing can be done either before printing or from the printing software.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Retired
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May 25, 2023 - 1:32 pm
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Hi,

 

Many thanks Fiddlerman not only for the free scores but also for your advice.

As usual I've been very busy but this morning I set about resizing the scores; Scarborough Fair; Sound of Silence; Bridge Over Troubled Water and Time To Say Goodbye; these will keep me occupied for a while but this afternoon I popped into the studio and had no trouble playing half the first line of Scarborough Fair until I ran into notes I'm unfamiliar with; lots more practice needed but what a good start and I'm now feeling more confident tackling new scores which I find very interesting indeed.

I'm about to head into the studio to have another go at Scarborough Fair before yet another day disappears at an alarming pace.

Tomorrow same as ever can't spend much time in the studio but amazingly so far the weekend is clear. Fingers crossed.

Kind regards, Colin.

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stringy
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May 25, 2023 - 7:15 pm
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Mouse think you got the people mixed up.

Colin Dont like saying it with the subsidence but I did warn you about digging up those trees, the moisture they were taking out of the earth is now flowing down the hillside, and causing landslip.

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Retired
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May 26, 2023 - 2:13 pm
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Hi,

stringy said
Mouse think you got the people mixed up.

Colin Dont like saying it with the subsidence but I did warn you about digging up those trees, the moisture they were taking out of the earth is now flowing down the hillside, and causing landslip.

  

Thanks stringy for your assessment of our subsidence. With respect you couldn't be more wrong in fact you're totally wrong; removing the trees had nothing at all to do with the subsidence; living here in the wilds of Yorkshire we enjoy a great deal of rain most of the year but a miracle occurred last year; we had a very very rare long hot summer.

Our detached stone built bungalow is built on clay and given the usual rain it never dries out but last August the clay did dry hence the problem so it was just the opposite to your kind suggestion.

Yes we do get a huge amount of water flowing down which still occurred even with all the trees standing; so much water in fact I installed flood defences years ago

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A course of fully bedded engineering bricks to fully seal the wall foundation joint; a new channel to divert any run off water from the rear garden and whilst at it installing new drains; under the bungalow is very watertight however much water comes down the garden. Thanks anyway stringy I understand you meant well. thumbs-up

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Here's the result; I'm a mechanical engineer and this kind of work comes naturally to me; pity I'm not yet as good at violin playing but I'm working on it.

Back to the plot though I've enjoyed two short violin practices today having a go at Scarborough Fair but not getting much further due to lack of concentration other work on my mind; once again I now think I'm clear so intend to spend time in the studio over the weekend and indeed next week too; I'm sure we're now in for Armageddon I can't possible be allowed studio time without have to fight for it.

 

Kind regards, Colin.

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stringy
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May 26, 2023 - 2:43 pm
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Just trying to help Colin, as I know a small amount about clay soils and hills and especially building on them myself, up to you but personally I would keep a close eye on it, just to be on the safe side;) or maybe get a builder to take a glance at it.

Removing trees when the build is on clay isnt a great idea, the water which as you say ran down the hillside will now seep into the earth and pool at the lowest point, as there are no trees to remove it. There is also the problem of roots that had spread probably under the house, depending on distance from the house, and type of tree, will now die, and create cavities, which will cause subsidence. 

lI have tried to help with advice but its up to you, like I said I would at least get the advice of an experienced builder with a good rep, or preferably  a structural engineer who knows about clay soils.

Good luck, and hope it doesnt get any worse, if I lived over there I would take a look myself for free, but as you know its a good drive for me.

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Retired
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May 27, 2023 - 3:05 am
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Hi,

How kind of you stringy many thanks. thumbs-up

Our bungalow is 60 years old and in excellent condition; as I explained last year we enjoyed an exceptional summer with incredibly high temperatures; everything is now back to normal and I'm not worried about any future subsidence; it's only the two roomed rear extension which was affected and if it does become much worse I'm capable of entirely replacing it.

Regarding modern builders with a good rep; what I see of builders employed along the street by neighbours sadly most appear to be disabled only having one usable hand their other hand fully occupied holding a mobile phone; the only work I don't carry out is anything to do with gas.

I truly appreciate you trying to help; thank you.

Kind regards, Colin.

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stringy
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May 27, 2023 - 5:32 am
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No problem Colin, keep on with the playing👍

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Retired
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May 29, 2023 - 6:36 am
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Hi,

Thanks stringy. I've just enjoyed over an hour in the studio which is rare learning to play Fiddlerman's free download music score "Scarborough Fair" Lovely tune and not too difficult.

Kind regards, Colin.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
June 5, 2023 - 11:23 am
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Retired said
Many thanks Fiddlerman not only for the free scores but also for your advice..................................

Kind regards, Colin.

It's my sincere pleasure. 😁

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Retired
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August 16, 2023 - 3:17 pm
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Hi,

Thanks so much @Fiddlerman it's very kind of you.

It's ages since I last posted but I'm still practicing playing my violins as often as possible but as usual with time constraints which have become a great deal worse.

Since last posting I've done a lot more heavy work including felling and disposing of a mature oak tree which was towering over our bungalow and patio; the pigeons used every branch as often as they could as toilet seats meaning the thankless task every morning cleaning up after them; no more toilet seats in the oak tree now it's gone but it was an incredibly heavy job on my own.

I'm currently rustproofing our Skoda Yeti car already having removed the wheels and wing liners so all four under wings and suspension components now rustproofed but still lots to do before winter sets in. Yesterday evening I strimmed the top meadow; this evening I've baked oat cookies.

All this constant work means very little to me; my wonderful wife Bron (Bronwyn) has serious health issues the latest has already been MRI & Cat scans; four more hospital scan & X ray appointments and a doctors appointment lined up so it's taking a great deal of time but Bron will always come first; it's possible she now has Parkinson's on top of her other health problems but she won't give up; Bron keeps doing household jobs but needs to sit down often; I'm doing more and more to help hence I seldom seem to have spare time.

I've just enjoyed twenty minutes violin practice playing sections from Somewhere My Love; Ode To Joy; Amazing Grace; Scarborough Fair and Fools rush in; I am improving with these as I start to memorize but I'm playing from the music scores sight reading which is also improving. I'd like to learn more but find it difficult concentrating.

Simplest things are difficult for me; yesterday I wanted to wash & polish the car in the morning; I'd just about finished washing when a police officer visited; there had been trouble at a neighbour's along the street; they had requested a roofer to visit to give them a quote for a roof leak; £850 was quoted but they said they would need another two quotes so he dropped to £650 but again they wanted two more independent quotes so he departed not happy at all; a minute later they received a threatening phone call from this roofer demanding £250 or he would send someone round hence the police were called.

Good news though we have expensive high end CCTV and the outcome was the police now not only have pictures of the van but also it's reg number. I resumed polishing the car in the afternoon but failed once again due to interruptions so I completed it this morning. My life is a big corkscrew; 47 years married and still no peace but it's pointless getting upset or stressed I just have to roll with it.

There just aren't enough hours in a day to get on top and remain on top.

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The pictures show progress rustproofing.

I do love my time playing the violins though in spite of everything. If only my lovely wife was healthy I'd be on top of the world.

After another full day I'll now settle down to a YouTube movie before bedtime with Bron.

Kind regards, Colin.

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Retired
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September 28, 2023 - 6:16 am
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Hi,

Just an update to once again thank everyone who has kindly helped me and followed this rambling thread.

I'm now finding it impossible to get into the studio due to constant demands upon my time; on top of all the home maintenance and household duties my truly wonderful wife has been ill for over forty years but recently is suffering increasing health issues; we've been busy visiting four hospitals involving three MRI scans; Cat scan and x rays each hospital testing. It's now possible on top of everything else my wife could have Parkinson's Disease. All her health issues are not life threatening but with increasing mobility problems I'm taking a lot more on to help her.

I'll never sell my violins or studio gear intending to carry on practicing whenever I can; at the moment I have about six pieces of violin music I practice playing and keep practicing with these unable to concentrate on anything new but it does keep my interest alive; perhaps some time in future things will settle down giving me a bit of spare time. These problems come with age I'm now 76.

Thank you all once again.

Kind regards, Colin

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Mouse
September 28, 2023 - 9:40 am
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@Retired I your wife is a lucky woman to have you with her. 

I am pleased you will be keeping your violin and everything else and have them to use when you can. 

Thanks for coming back and letting us know how you are. I was wondering about you. 

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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September 30, 2023 - 2:01 pm
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Hi,

Thanks so much @Mouse I think I'm the lucky one to have such a wonderful loving wife in Bron (Bronwyn) by my side; we're the best of friends together full time in retirement; I've been retired 22 years and Bron is worth getting out of bed for each day.

Before meeting Bron I'd been engaged and had started my own garage business working flat out in order to obtain a mortgage to buy an house; the garage was doing well but one dinnertime on my way back to the garage I saw my fiance walking hand in hand with a guy she playing around behind my back; this totally shattered me; my dreams and hopes gone my world collapsed.

I packed the garage in and for over a year wandered around broken hearted; I cried sitting on a park bench as the wedding bells rang out; this hurt me more than I've ever been hurt in my life.

Later I then had a motorcycle accident when a car driver hit me head on in icy winter conditions; he was driving with his car totally iced up and was looking through just a letterbox he'd cleared on the car windscreen; I was thrown over the car roof to bounce from a garden wall back into the roadside; I had a shattered knee cap and fractured ankle plus lacerations.

My life couldn't have sunk lower. I then pulled myself together and ended up at the rehabilitation center in Leeds to be assessed. I'd been in the center for a week when newcomers entered the building; one of these was amazing; a beautiful tall slim brown haired girl; I wondered how such a girl came to be here.

A few days later we met in the canteen before the daily course started; she lived in Huddersfield meaning bus & train travel I had a car. I offered to drive her home as I lived nearby we've been together ever since; Bron had suffered a terrible childhood and her older brother had sadly died so Bron understandably was very depressed.

My parents and family refused to attend our wedding when we announced we were to marry; they did attend totally ruining Bron's big day; Bron's parents didn't know how many to cater for it was terrible; the reason for the family hostility was that my parents were drinkers and for me to marry meant cutting off lots of their booze money.

Bron suffered my family for many years but my father passed away and in 2013 my mother passed away leaving a detached bungalow; my two brothers & sister are vultures; we didn't receive a penny inheritance but with the passing of my mother I then divorced my family sick of the lot of them and not seen them since. The inheritance loss was only money; I had Bron.

We're on our own and very happy and content enjoying each others company and love in peace.

I love Bron to bits as she does me; Bron's the softest; kindest; loyal; very generous wife I'm so fortunate to call my wife; Bron to me will always be the gorgeous young lady I met all those years ago.

Thanks for wondering about me I'm well and in August was at the top of our huge oak tree attaching ropes then I felled the tree I'm only 76 so hope I can carry on doing such work for years to come.

Bron is unwell but I'll always be here for her by her side whatever is thrown our way.

I'm just grabbing a few minutes because I've put a cake in the oven it should be nearly ready by now so got to go; just adding a bit of my life story; I hope to keep popping back when I resume violin practice.

Many thanks again.

Kind regards, Colin.

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