Well, I thought about this… a lot! Yes, I think, mostly, I’m optimistic. And sometimes, I’m even proactive. It was the ‘senior ‘ that I needed to think long and hard about. What constitutes a’senior’ You see, for years I’ve always thought some people were quite senior; at least to me. Until I realised I’d caught up with them. I was fifty-nine for quite some time. Then I moved up to sixty-two. I’ve been sixty-two for a bit as well.
So I thought I would investigate this group. And, oh, had I underestimated my peers. The members of www.OAPSchat.co.uk are, as founder of the site Janice Rosser says: “… looking at the website from far and wide.” Ever courteous she welcomes visitors to the site from countries as far away and diverse as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, Canada, India, Venezuela, Irish Republic, Spain, France, China, Japan, Greece, Mexico, The Bahamas, Indonesia and Switzerland and cheerfully says, ” a BIG hello from the UK to you all and thank you for visiting. I hope you are enjoying the huge and varied content that is here.”
I bet they are, as well. This is a place where the over 55s can share news from all over the UK: local and holiday news (there’s a lovely piece written by Juliet Greenwood: on visiting: Portmeirion in North Wales ), and I was recently chuffed to see a piece of my own from last year again on, Ciovo, Croatia . There are topical issues ( Top 5 UK Airports To Fly From), financial and health advice. On a personal level members can promote their talents, chat and share their interests and hobbies, giving encouragement to others to join in with their hobbies. I was particularly interested in Chris Lovell’s piece about launching her small boat, the Blue Nun, from Neyland in Pembrokeshire as that’s local news for me, as well as learning about a hobby. And then there’s Tracy Burton talking about how it’s Never Too Old To Backpack! ; quite a consoling thought as I struggle along the narrow rugged Pembrokeshire coastal path sometimes!
Portmerion Ciovo
As you can see I’ve picked out the items that are of particular interest to me but there are similar and constantly changing items from all over the UK and abroad that will be of interest to many. The OAPSchat net is spread far and wide.
Members also give an insight to their lifestyles, share memoirs and occasions. I loved the story written by Georgia Hill, In Remembrance – and a Mystery
Most importantly for me, when I first came across OAPSchat were the books I saw to buy there. And there is often a wealth of talent to be found. For instance, in the present issue, Jane Lovering is being interviewed with her book: Can’t Buy Me Love Margaret James discusses her new book; Girl in Red Velvet and Sheryl Brown, one of my favourite authors,is talking about her latest book, Learning to Love
Then there is the scope for authors to promote their own work! When I first explored the site; after I’d looked at all the different topics, read articles, noted places I’d liked to visit (one day) I saw Advertise with OAPSchat … yes I do know I’m a bit slow sometimes!! I realised that all the books on the left hand side bar of the site were advertisements/promotions of books placed by the authors. Would Janice take mine? Of course! Rates are so reasonable. More importantly the readers are there; ready and waiting; people who have so many interests must have so many preferences for genres. Some one might like mine. And they did! I had great sales.
So, for me, OAPSchat has given me so much: new friends, new interests, new ideas, new readers. Do I mind being a ‘senior’? Well no… as long as I’m also mostly “optimistic”. And sometimes, even “proactive”. I can cope with being sixty-two… for a few more years!
For more information on OAPSchat check out About Us
Of course I couldn’t finish without giving Janice a little space (well, she is the founder) The floor is yours, Janice.
Thanks Judith.
OAPSchat was born in April 2013 as a Facebook page. It was in November 2013 that I decided I had enough material and confidence to launch the website.
Since that day, I have been writing articles on all kinds of topics, ranging from hobbies, holidays, food and drink, memories, families, finance and much much more. I now have over one hundred and thirty seven wonderful contributors to date and articles on all different subjects are posted on a daily basis. Over 1400 articles can be read now! Members can comment via disqus, FB and Twitter.
Raffles are held monthly, sometimes more often. A newsletter goes out once a month with my plans for the coming weeks. I am an Independent Happy List Winner 2014 for founding the website.
Janice celebrating at the ceremomies
Loneliness is a big scourge on our society worldwide and the website helps combat this awful isolation by coming together and sharing our thoughts and ideas. OAPSchat is well and truly born now and I hope it will continue to thrive. With your support, I’m confident it will!
OAPSchat FaceBook Link: http://bit.ly/2vnZYGh
Nice info. BTW, I prefer to call myself a ‘mature adult.’
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Thanks Noelle. That’s a great thought… except for when I think of some of the silly things I do from time to time. 🙂 x
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Me,too, Judith. But doing silly things makes me laugh, and laughter is great for the soul! Keep laughing!
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Oh I do, Noelle!! x
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My father never admitted to being over 39. He said if Jack Benny was only admitting to that he wasn’t going to go higher. 🙂 x As for my self, I’ve long believed that the number is relative. I’ve known young people who were old indeed and I live near quite a few ‘seniors’ who are very young indeed! 🙂 x
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Quite right too, Lea. Thank you so much for dropping by>>3
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Oapschat is a brilliant site. They blogged all my L Plate Gran blogs..and are a superb source of into!
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I know, Carol. I enjoyed and shared them. It’s a good group to belong to. Happy writing! 🙂
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Thank you for your kind words Judith, I am delighted that you are a regular contributor and hope that some of your friends will come on board too.
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You’re very welcome, Jan. I hope the post brings many people to your brilliant site… and that they join in with all there is to see! 🙂
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Very good article. I like you choose to be optimistic sometimes I can be stirred into being proactive if the subject motivates me. I have many interests golf and line dancing which keep me active as does walking my dog. I like you choose to be close to 70 for a few more years!!!!. Enjoyed the rend Judith.
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Thanks, Norman. I intend to be under 70 until I’m nearer 90 (by then I won’t care. But I hope I’m still writing books!! 🙂
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I’m a mature adult but I like to think I’m proactive for a senior and most certainly optimistic about what bit of time I have left on this planet. Always trying to do something that maybe I haven’t done before. Keep your mind and your body active. Avoid the dreaded tv. Biggest killer in the house.
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Thanks for dropping by, Derek. You are so right… keep active in mind and body.
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Thanks for the introduction to Janice and her site, Judith. I think/hope – now that I’ve entered the ranks of “senior” – that seniors are claiming their power and voices and aren’t being defined by their age. Way too many adventures ahead and it’s wonderful to be able to share them ❤
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Hi Diana, I know… we can be just what we’d like to be at our age; adventurers in all things. Glad you found the site.xx
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This is an unexpected topic and wonderful post. Judith. Mega hugs.
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It’s a great source for many things, Teagan… including promoting books!! xx 🙂
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Great article Judith. What a fabulous idea for a site. I’m going to visit it. And btw, perhaps we should alter the name a bit to ‘perennials’, lol. 🙂 ❤
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“Perennialschat” Great stuff – I shall suggest it, Debbie. Eer… how do i do a heart again?!! 🙂 xx
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LOL, you’re so cute Judith ❤ Here you go < plus 3 right beside each other
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❤ ❤ ❤ thank you, Debby. 🙂 xx
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Ahhhh there you go! 🙂 ❤ ❤
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When my sister’s father-in-law retired he said there was no point in doing anything as he was going to die soon! I can’t think of any of my generation who aren’t a bundle of energy and creativity if they are lucky with their health and not overburdened with caring.
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I xcan’t even believe I won’t always have this energy and enthusiasm to write and teach and generally join in with anything going. The poor man must have been so depressed!! Thanks for dropping by. Hope you like OAPSchat.x
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I don’t think of myself as a ‘senior’ but I hear that’s what I am. Thanks for the post!
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Robert, you can be whatever you want to be!!
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🙂 I’m enjoying it.
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Good!!
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Thank you for the information. Personally I think of myself as an ageing delinquent! Now I’m off to check out the site.
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Hahaha, love the idea of an ageing delinquent. Hope you like the site – it’s a brilliant meeting place for all sorts of people… baby boomers unite!
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Thank you for this information, Judith. I don’t think I will be able to call myself a senior for a while as yet but it is nice to know about this site.
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Thank you for dropping by, Robbie. I keep telling myself that but the mirror never lies! By the way, it’s a great site to promote your work.Jx
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