Author Archives: john graham

“Nothing Personal”

Posted on December 15, 2013 by john graham

A few years ago the Government introduced a new policy for funding care at home called “Personalisation”.    At the time it was heralded as a new approach to providing social care which would give people greater freedom and choice over … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY | Tagged | 2 Comments

“Old Geek 3”

Posted on December 8, 2013 by john graham

Now I am really getting into being an old geek; I think I should get an MP3 player.    I don’t know what one is, but all my new young mates down the arcade have them.    They keep them plugged in … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged , | 3 Comments

“Couldn’t Care Less”

Posted on December 1, 2013 by john graham

Over the past few weeks the press has been full of articles about the poor quality of care for older people who still live in their own homes.    Visited by a succession of often unfamiliar faces, rushing through a treadmill … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY | Tagged | 3 Comments

“Breakfast Tradition” 2

Posted on November 3, 2013 by john graham

I love marmalade, the stronger and thicker-cut the better.  (See my earlier blogs by clicking on “BREAKFAST” in the TAG CLOUD). Sadly, it seems like I am increasingly in a minority.  Sales of marmalade fell by 6.2% in the last … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged | 2 Comments

“The Irony of De-cluttering”

Posted on October 27, 2013 by john graham

I have just finished writing a blog on de-cluttering when there is a knock on the back door.    It is the post lady with a clutch of letters which are too big to put through the letter box at the … Continue reading →

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“Clutter Head”

Posted on October 22, 2013 by john graham

My head is full of clutter.    Things I think about, but are too complicated to resolve there and then.    So they just stay there.    Another spec of cerebral dust, until eventually I become dust myself. In the meantime my life … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged | 4 Comments

“Old Geek 2”

Posted on October 20, 2013 by john graham

In my new-found head long rush to be an elderly geek staying one jump ahead of my new cool young mates in the games arcade, I have got to get a new digital watch. (See my earlier post on this subject … Continue reading →

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“An Unfortunate Juxta Position”

Posted on September 26, 2013 by john graham

There was a classic example of how attitudes towards older people are slowly and surreptitiously changing in two articles in The Times on 18th September.  Two small articles on separate pages which will have gone unnoticed by most people. Sub-editors … Continue reading →

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“I want to be an old Geek”

Posted on September 24, 2013 by john graham

As I get older I get more and more like the grumpy old man in the GrumbleSmiles banner to my blog, but I don’t want to be seen as an old git.    I would rather be :- “AN OLD GEEK” … Continue reading →

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“Wrinkle Mania”

Posted on September 22, 2013 by john graham

Wrinkles take years to acquire. A lifetime of effort and experience. Then almost as soon as they have them, most women do their utmost to get rid of them. Facelifts, Botox and anti-ageing products are in the vanguard of the rage … Continue reading →

Posted in Grey Products, SMILES | Tagged | 2 Comments