[Erik Olson]

Changeable

I spread and handle change that I have squirreled
Away from states I lived in round the world—
The coins I pocketed each day before
When cashing, and safe-keeping was a must.
Now I recount old selves, puff away dust
From diverse currency that crowds my drawer:
Symbols of which I can't make heads or tails,
Strange faces grime has covered with a coat;
All grows obscure the more remembrance fails
Though once my daily bread, and learned by rote.
I keep, from towns I've lived in, and each stage,
This and this only, rough handfuls of change.

s

[Ann Drysdale]

Not quite sure what you mean by "spheres" in this context, but it's a nice take on "change".

[John Whitworth]

Jayne, have you forgotten to post the results for 'The Ring'?

[Ann Drysdale]

Why, John? In a burst of keenness to know what you know, I went onto the Oldie site, discovered that Katie Mallet didn't win - and then was told I could read the rest of the page for 25p.

Intrigued, I went a little further only to be told that before I could pay I must sign up to some horrendous wossname after having read their terms and conditions. After much bumf I arrived at "The data that we collect from you may be transferred to, and stored at, a destination outside the European Economic Area (EEA). It may also be processed by staff operating outside the EEA who work for us or for one of our suppliers."

By this time I had lost all desire to know and was in danger of losing the will to live. And I saved five bob.

[Sylvia Fairley]

Where's Jayne? ... Jayne! Have you deserted us?

[Jayne Osborn]

Oh dear!!!!!

I'm so sorry, everyone. Either my copy of The Oldie has failed to arrive - again - or I've had another Blonde Moment/Senior Moment, call it what you will, and put it somewhere.

I'll have to look around the house in the morning as it's bedtime now. If I fail to find it I'll go and buy another copy. Results by this time tomorrow, if that's OK?

Thanks for the prod, and my profuse apologies once more.

Jayne

[John Whitworth]

You are forgiven, Jayne. Phoebe Flood won, her first win, but not her last I trust. I hope Tessa realises that Phoebe hasn't got a bank account.

Ann, you don't have to buy the Oldie, though its a jolly good buy. That's why we exist, Jayne and Sylvia and I.

[Ann Drysdale]

One deep breath later... Nevermind.

[Jayne Osborn]

Well, it seems that I'm not losing my marbles after all (not yet, anyway).

My subscription copy of The Oldie hasn't arrived. I rang Oldie Towers and they're sending me another one. But, I explained, I need the competition results today to post on a forum. I'm going away tomorrow until Sunday.

. . . So a lovely man called John sent the comp page to me in the body of an email. The pagination is all wrong, of course, as the magazine is printed in narrow columns, but I'm working on it, folks.

The new thread will appear soon!

Jayne