I was looking for some positive or funny quotes, and went to my favourite movie comedians, Groucho and Harpo Marx! Most online quotes I could find are from Groucho or Chico, and mostly are lines from their movies, which I love. Harpo Marx remains my favourite, and I have been a fan of his since the early 80’s, and love his book, Harpo Speaks (1962) which I need to purchase or borrow again as I gave away my copy some time ago. Duck Soup is my all time old favourite comedy, and thankfully I can remember the one scene which always makes me laugh even thinking about it. For those of you who are Marx Bros fans, it is the mirror scene. If I had to reinvent myself as an actor, I would be able to do that scene without thinking, but would probably fall over laughing before the scene could be filmed in full! I’m not sure what that says about my sense of humour (or me), but hey, humour is definitely very personal, just like haircuts or dress sense. Speaking of which, I had my worst haircut in years last weekend, and it has taken me a few days to recover from, or to look in the mirror with my glasses on! As I say to the boys whenever I cut their hair, it is only a week or two between a good and a bad haircut, and so it is for me. Interestingly, they almost find the money to go to a real barber or hairdresser these days!!
Either this man is dead, or my watch has stopped! (Groucho Marx in the movie Monkey Business, 1931) – don’t let your life look like your watch has stopped!
Groucho also said;
Your attitude is the one very small thing that can make the biggest difference. I definitely agree with that!
I don’t care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members. haha, I feel like that about the dementia club!
I intend to live forever, or die trying! Fits well with my line, we live until we die!
In researching further for a presentation about positively living with dementia, I find the most useful ‘research’ is to be found in humour. My husband and I spend a significant amount of time laughing. We try to laugh at the small changes brought into our lives by dementia, like when we were driving through the city, having picked me up for an appointment, and asking; where are we going? To which I replied; I have no idea! We laughed so hard he almost had to pull over. I often come out with strange ideas or actions now, some making little sense until he has worked his way through them as if we were playing charades. By the time he ‘gets it’ we are usually laughing so much we are in tears. Sometimes we cry. That is life. A good cry makes the laughing and humour that much more enjoyable, allows us to appreciate it more. Well, not all the time, but often. We suspect when we stop laughing, the dementia will be so advanced it will get in the way of us finding things funny anymore. On visiting my father in law the last two weekends, ‘funny’ has not been our reaction, as we have left most days in tears at the sadness of a life lost to dementia and old age.
Hello beautiful Kate.Don’t be too shocked. I can relate to the laughing/crying with my own dad.He also being in a home with dementia.Mum and I do often have a little laugh at some of the things he says or does but that is so we don’t cry. I cried the other day when I visited because he remembered me and called me by my name.I, like you and Pete, cry for the lost dad and at how small he has become.He is disappearing before our own eyes.
xx
I hear you darling girl, hugs and love and hope we catch up in person soon. xoxo
Much nicer to laugh than cry the cats and I are missing you see you Thursday. xxx
i often tell the story “where are we going ” and your reply “i have no idea” it gives us a good old laugh and something to think on,
what did they do to your beautiful hair?
as usual your blog is very thoughtful and i know in your household there is much laughter and tears occassionally,
to the moon and back xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I thought I’d add your second reply, just for fun!! Who’s got dementia I wondered????? xxx
oh i remember your story ,”:where are we going” and your reply ” i have no idea”, hahah i tell it to my freinds and it gives us something to think about thats for sure, what did they do to your beautiful hair, was it really bad oh i feel for you, as usual your blog is thought for the day in my household,??
to the moon and back xxxx