‘So, OK ladies…. Please check your hearing aids. Is everyone wearing their glasses? OK, so today we are here to discuss ideas about what we can create.’

‘What? Hate? Did she say hate? I hate many things about getting old you know. Does she want to discuss hate?’

‘Ladies! Please stop talking and listen to me. So, how many of you can knit?’

‘Don’t get me wrong, but my fingers tingle too much for me to knit. I can’t even hold my cards anymore, leave alone knit.  Old age plays havoc. Look at my fingers. Once these hands were straight, beautiful, arthritis free.’

‘The lady back there in the floral top. You raised your hand. Can you knit, ma’am? Will you be able to knit little patches of love, six inches by six inches?’

‘What? Did someone say pinches? My diaper pinches me all the time. Nurse says I’ll get used to it…..’

‘To be very honest, I’m quite hungry. When will the snacks be served? Tea maybe?’

‘Tea doesn’t suit me anymore. Ever since I turned 70, tea makes me acidic.’

Don’t get me wrong, but I can’t do without my cuppa. At 4pm sharp, I need my dose of tannin. What time is it now?’

‘I need a sandwich. Never used to eat so often. Maybe something is wrong…’

‘I know. I’m fed up of feeling disoriented and all that. I was so active before this age thing caught up with me, and all that.’

‘Age takes its toll. No need to get so disheartened.’ 

‘Ever since I became a diabetic and had to control my diet, life lost its luster.’

‘To be very honest, food is important, but health is wealth.’

‘Please! Ladies! Can you concentrate on this slide show. We are going to see different items which we can make ourselves. Ok, I’ll start now.’ 

‘I mean to say, why are you pressing your knee? Any problem? 

‘Well, I won’t lie, there was this pain. It came suddenly, like I felt my knee cave in.’

‘Oh no, then?’

‘So, she went to the doctor and all that. But what did he recommend?’

‘Well, no operation for the moment, but you never know. Tell us about your blood pressure. What took you to hospital?’

‘It’s not that I don’t appreciate your concern, but I don’t want to talk about it. All I can say is, life after 70 sucks. But we have to accept it.’

‘Shshshshshsh’

‘Ladies, please look this way. It’s only a short film…’

‘Perhaps one of you can suggest a cure for my insomnia?’

‘Any home remedies for bleeding gums? I mean to say it isn’t severe or anything…’

‘Try alum, it helps sometimes you know.’

‘OK, so, did you enjoy that film? How about some refreshments now?’

‘I’ve turned veg, I won’t lie. The doc told me nonveg isn’t so good for my heart. But now I’ve lost interest in food. I eat for the sake of nourishment. What is that triangle thing? Is it deep fried?’

‘Ladies you can have this. It looks fried but it is baked, so no worries.’

‘Better not risk it, don’t get me wrong. But if it is fried, I’m dead.’

‘I could have coffee. I mean to say, if it is going.’

‘Of course, perhaps they have narial pani? Nimboo pani?’

‘Ok, now that everyone has a plate lets discuss trees. There’s this lovely picture book….’

‘What? Knees? Anyone else have bad knees? Look at me. Can’t walk, can’t sit for long…talk about bad knees.’

‘I totally agree. I mean to say, there was a time I ran around the whole day but after 75, I mean to say, I have such little energy. Doing one thing a day is enough. Because of these knees.’

‘I get indigestion all the time and all that. Can’t eat like I used to. Even the slightest Ajinomoto affects me now, and all that.’

‘So, no Royal China?’

‘Ladies! Ladies!  We should talk of something other than our health…. I know! Let’s play, Name, Place, Animal, Thing. It’s great fun. I’ll pass the paper and pencils around.’

‘I can’t write….it’s a kind of neuropathy.’

‘I didn’t know you had diabetes.’

‘I’m looking for a neuropath, you know. I’ve had two episodes of near blackouts, and my doctor suggested investigations.’

‘I won’t lie, my feet tingle all the time, especially at night. I’ve tried everything.’

‘Like you said, doctors don’t know it all. After a while you have to do what suits you.’

‘OK, so shall we play Simon Says…?’

‘What? Who has grays? We all have grays. If you are lucky enough to still have hair that is….’