A brief few moments of calm and mellow light before the dark clouds rolled in and it absolutely chucked it down – AGAIN. A photo sometimes doesn’t tell the entire story. It doesn’t show the person behind the camera. Caked in mud and water dripping off his sodden clothing. The lane in the distance looks inviting through the lens. Really! In practice it was stream. Torrents of mud and water making it a runners nightmare. But for these brief moments it did look pretty.

The other thing the photo doesn’t tell you about the lane is the surface condition. It’s a dirt track. Trying to navigate the exposed bedrock, ankle breaking potholes and badly eroded surfaces. I first ran down this path in 2010. The new nursery was close by so I could occasionally squeeze in a quick run before it was time to pick up our Son. Then it was a beautiful lane to run down. The surface was in a wonderful condition. Flat and ever so forgiving. Clearly the decade took its toll.

Sadly it was not the only thing that the decade took its toll on. As my MP3 player had run out of juice, pondering on this helped take my mind of the battering my knees and ankles were taking.

  • The Dreamer has seen his soul darkened,
  • The thick mop of black hair now more resembles a badly worn corridor carpet,
  • The body once fluid is a little more wooden,
  • The knees once strong are a little squeaky and in need of oiling,
  • The reliable feet now most definitely over pronating,
  • My pert bum is definitely more rounded. To the extent that it has developed its own gravitational pull.

But that’s life. I can still smile. I’ve still got my best feature – my long eyelashes. I’m probably stronger and fitter than I was back in 2010. I was drinking far too much in 2010 and now I’m completely tea total. My excellent sartorial taste is still with me – bright pink leggings today. I’m certainly more resilient these days.

So yes the decade has definitely taken its toll on me but that’s not to say that actually I might be a better person for it. Which neatly brings me to saying thank you to Di for tagging me for the Ten Years (2010-2020) challenge.

Play Along Guidelines

Please share a link to the creator of the tag-jesusluvsall.wordpress.com

Share some highlights for you over the past decade and if you want, a few low points

 Tag whoever you wish to.

Ask them some questions

Use any picture appropriate for such a tag.

Going with the last guideline first, I’m also going with Rory’s choice as it works on so many levels!

So here goes then….

Is there any year in the past decade that stands out as the best?

2010. Son was a bundle of joy and energy. This was probably the last year my partner was truly healthy. Best winter in ages. Plenty of snow which hung around for two months. It was properly cold. Didn’t feel like Yorkshire. It was a dry cold. More Alpine. It was snowman central in our garden. The first snowman lasted 10 weeks.

Has your taste in music changed in the past ten years or do you think music in general has changed?

Went into the decade a metal head who liked classical music. Left the decade as a metal head who liked classical music and who plays a little bit of Leonard Cohen.

Are you heavier or lighter than you were ten years ago?

I have much improved muscle mass density with some incremental drift on the biometrics …. in other words heavier….

How many cars have you owned in the past decade?

Two plus my partners car for 2 months until it was sold. I think she would have been smiling down at me as I tried to drive her automatic which was the size of a glove compartment.

Highlights of the decade

  • Son
  • Switzerland
  • Partner

Low points

  • Death
  • Constantly trying to push up hill on support for Son
  • Rupturing Bicep

46 thoughts on “Took its toll”

  3. I absolutely love the picture you captured. It’s so true that a picture leaves so many things unsaid, but I guess it also highlights the high points. Praying that this next decade will hold many more high points for you.

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  4. What really comes across in this post is your ability to see silver linings. You talk about the life changing things that happened in a really and honest way but without seeming sorry for yourself. You some across as an enormously strong and emotionally brave person. This must be such a source of strength (and a great example) to your son. I hope the next decade brings joy to you both.

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  7. you have a good heart and strong resilience … loss is tough but your son needs you and you are stepping up! Well done, no idea what this next decade will bring you both but you have each other ❤

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      3. Doubles let us all down last week so playing double in double out at home, even 301, is still good practice. No match this week, so I can keep trying as our next is against the current division leaders. I;ve always enjoyed the game, but before joining this league, it was 30 years since I’d picked up a dart, let alone play a game!

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      5. When I played before, one league was double in double out, and it usually took me ages to start. I don’t think I won a single game and only played the one season, but it was 18 miles to travel for a home match, so not exactly local. I had my highest score today (other than the 180 35 years ago that no-one saw) with 165. Couldn’t believe it. Picture taken, but not posted yet. Better than my 3 treble 18s!

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  9. It’s snowing here right now. I am hoping for it to snow all day and we get a snow day with everything canceled (you know me 🙂 ) But then we’ll have the melting and the mud. But, like your photo, it’s pretty now! A lot happened in your ten years, that is for sure. Now my mind is wandering back and taking a look. Fun to think about on this snowy day!

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  10. What a beautiful picture! So happy you’re running, a lot of many ups and downs in the last10 yrs. Let’s see 2010 I was raising a quiet 13 yr old daughter and an active 9 yr old son, he kept me busy. Let’s see I was at the gym pool 3 times a week. Now so pool but back at the gym. Music hmm pretty much the same hard rock, some pop, more country. It all depends on my mood. You have conquered a lot keep moving forward. Hugs😊

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