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90-year-old grandma's secrets, regrets and brutal "advice"

An amazingly sprightly 90-year-old grandmother has appeared on TikTok to share her deepest regrets in life, leaving viewers both amused and contemplative with her surprising take on being a nonagenarian. The video, which has garnered a whopping 70,000 views, features the wise words of wisdom from a woman who has seen it all, or at least enough to make her wish she hadn't seen quite so much. The nanna, who spilled the beans to her inquisitive granddaughter <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@racheljdillon?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rachel Dillon</a> – an online fitness coach – began by revealing what she wishes she did less of in her life. "Probably less of nothing," she admits. "I mean I never worked after I was married or anything like that. I wish I had probably done more mixing with people with that. More socialising." It's then that the truth bombs really start to drop. When Rachel asks, "Do you have any regrets", a cloud of laughter fills the room, before the answer comes. "Yes, I do regret marrying too young," she says emphatically. "I met my husband when I was 13 and he was 15. We got married at 17 and 19. I met him at the library. He used to ride me up on the bicycle when I was going to the library." Then, when asked about the secret to turning 90, Rachel's grandma confesses not only that there isn't one, but that she regrets having made it this far at all. "I didn't really want to get to 90," she declares with the nonchalance of someone choosing between tea and coffee. "I've had enough. I've had all I wanted out of the world. I am quite happy to go and meet my little puppy dog waiting there for me." When asked about her secret to looking so young, Rachel's grandma almost brushes the question aside, laying the blame simply in the quality of her genes for having "always been a fox", according to Rachel. The final question, and the final brutally honest response – which may have made Rachel regret asking about regrets – was simply: "Do you have any advice for us?" "Oh God no," comes the world-weary answer. "Not the way the world's going. No, I'm just glad I'll be gone. I don't want to be part of anything that I can see going on." TikTok users were quick to commend the grandmother, not just for her unexpected revelations but also for her timeless beauty. "She looks absolutely amazing," gushed one admirer, proving that age is just a number – albeit one that sometimes takes us by surprise. In the end, this nonagenarian nanna has become an unexpected sensation, leaving us all to ponder life's mysteries, library love stories, and the prospect of meeting puppy dogs in the great beyond. If her story has taught us anything, it's that life is unpredictable, love can blossom in the unlikeliest of places (like a library), and sometimes it's OK to regret that hasty decision to say "I do" before you even knew how to do your taxes. <div class="post_body_wrapper" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 8px 0px 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #323338; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, 'Noto Sans Hebrew', 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif;"> <div class="post-body-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="post-body-renderer-component post_body" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: top; position: relative; transition: max-height 0.14s ease 0s; overflow: hidden; color: var(--primary-text-color); max-height: none;"> <div class="post-body-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 630px; overflow: auto hidden;"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px 15px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; position: relative; overflow: auto; color: var(--primary-text-color); font-family: var(--font-family); line-height: 1.5; word-break: break-word;"> <div class="embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7311465610821651720&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40racheljdillon%2Fvideo%2F7311465610821651720&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2Fo49EYZFdsEDJhfBAiE2gfGE8l3IAR2qBQx14iB%3Fx-expires%3D1702681200%26x-signature%3DL%252FvO6dLXwqFOi09XENAbVmG4tgs%253D&key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div>Images: TikTok / @racheljdillon</div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Retirement Life

Tiny chihuahua saves 90-year-old woman with heroic act

In the world of unlikely heroes, step aside Batman, move over Superman, because Minnie the Chihuahua cross is here to steal the spotlight. This petite pooch from Kingston, in the South Australia's southeast, has recently been showered with praise for her unexpected, life-saving antics. Picture this: Minnie, a little dog with a heart as big as her bark, not particularly keen on hugs, found herself in a situation that required more than just a wag of her tail. On that fateful Friday, December 1, Minnie noticed that her 90-year-old owner, Joyce Gibbs, was in a bit of a pickle – struggling to catch a breath. Now, most dogs might just tilt their heads in confusion (you can picture it) or fetch a chew toy, but not Minnie. Untrained in any form of medical assistance, Minnie decided to take matters into her own paws. Whether by sheer luck or by innate instinct, the canine prodigy leaped onto Joyce’s lap and – brace yourselves – pressed the medical alert device hanging around her neck. Yes, you heard that right; she hit the SOS button, sending out a message that would make any emergency service scramble into action. Lyn Gibbs, Joyce’s daughter, expressed her astonishment, “Minnie never jumps up in that chair when mum is in it..." she <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/chihuahua-praised-for-saving-90-year-old-south-australian-owner-struggling-to-breathe-c-12821344" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told 7News</a>. "Minnie knew she needed help, so she jumped up, trying to help her.” A stroke of genius? An incredibly lucky accident? Either way, Minnie became the the hero of the moment, saving the day like a furry little Avenger. As Joyce found herself in the hospital grappling with Rhinovirus, Minnie continued to be her unwavering companion. Doctors predicted a three-week recovery period, but after only four days, Joyce was back home, thanks to the vigilant care of her four-legged saviour. Lyn couldn’t help but gush about Minnie’s dedication, “Minnie’s been so good from the day I got her... she’s the best dog... she doesn’t leave her side.” Move over Florence Nightingale; we’ve got Minnie, the dedicated dog nurse, taking care of business. This heartwarming tale isn’t just about Minnie’s heroics; it’s a reminder of the importance of those pesky but life-saving medical alert devices. As Lyn says: “The medical alert is just so important for old people... a lot of them won’t wear them. They put them on the cupboard or on the table, but you really need them at all times, especially in the shower.” So, take heed: wear your devices and maybe, just maybe, you'll have a four-legged hero by your side, ready to leap into action when you least expect it. In a world where a Chihuahua can be the difference between a close call and catastrophe, we salute you, Minnie, for proving that heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Images: 7News

Caring

Popular 90s supermodel makes iconic return to runway

Vendela Kirsebom, a Norwegian-Swedish model, has made a stunning return to the runway almost three decades after she rose to fame. Kirsebom became the face of Elizabeth Ardern, appeared in seven editions of Sports Illustrated, and graced the cover of Vogue during the peak of her career. In recent years she chose to take a break from the spotlight, until now. The 56-year-old returned to the catwalk for Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Runway Show in Miami this week. She oozes confidence as strutted the runway in two different swimmers including a white one-piece with a plunging neckline, and a purple bikini set, both from her own brand Vendela Wear. Following the show, Kirsebom took to Instagram to thank her followers for their support. "Thank you for all the cheers, love and nice feedback,” she captioned the photo with the hashtag "embrace your beauty”. Her 119,000 followers flooded the comment section with a string of adoring responses. “Words can't describe how proud I am of you. Time stood still when you were on the stage,” wrote her husband, Norwegian TV celebrity Petter Pilgaard. “You are a fantastic role model for us adult ladies. You deserve a lot of happiness with your nice new collection,” wrote one fan. “You’re a superstar, you look incredibly great,” commented another. “Back on the catwalk, you look great,” wrote a third. Aside from her impressive modelling career, Kirsebom was also an actress who appeared in several movies including Batman and Robin in 1997, and The Parent Trap starring Lindsay Lohan in 1998. In 1996 she was rumoured to have dated the most eligible bachelor of that time, George Clooney, after the pair were spotted together multiple times. Images: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

90-year-old-with chronic leukaemia skydives for charity

A thrill-seeking 90-year-old has celebrated her birthday - in what some would call an unconventional manner for her age - by skydiving, and raising £5,000 for a homeless charity in the process. Shirley Robinson, from Long Clawson in Leicestershire, jumped out of a plane at 14,000ft for the fundraiser at Skydive Langar in Nottinghamshire. Shirley, who was diagnosed with chronic leukaemia in 2022, raised funds for Crisis, a charity that provides help and support for homeless people. She told BBC News, “It's just wonderful how generous people have been. It's lovely.” Footage of her dive saw Shirley styled in a bright blue jumpsuit as she was cheered on by family and friends before getting on the plane. She smiled and waved at the camera as she was strapped to her skydiving instructor. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsZGxykN0PN/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsZGxykN0PN/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Skydive Langar (@skydivelangar)</a> </div> </blockquote> After Shirley’s adrenaline packed skydive, she landed safely in a field and can be heard in the video exclaiming, “That was wonderful.” When asked about her favourite part of the experience, she responded, “That was lovely, going through the clouds.” She confessed afterwards that the free fall was a “bit breathtaking” but she “loved it” before thanking her instructor for looking after her. Shirley returned to a hero’s welcome with her beaming friends and family congratulating her. A spokesperson for the charity said, “We want to say an enormous thank you to Shirley for the incredible amount of money she has raised. “Shirley's donation will provide vital support for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. We're so grateful.” Image credit: Instagram

Retirement Life

Iconic '90s supermodel dies at age 56

German supermodel Tatjana Patitz, who appeared in George Michael’s Freedom 90 video, has died at 56 years of age. A family representative confirmed that her cause of death was breast cancer. Patitz started her career in 1983, after becoming a finalist in the Elite Model Look contest and is considered one of the "original supermodels". She has been featured on the cover of Vogue six times. Vogue shared a <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/obituary-tatjana-patitz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tribute</a> to the supermodel, stating that she was "the quietest and perhaps the most intense of the original supermodels". In the tribute, Anna Wintour, the global editorial director of Vogue said that “Tatjana was always the European symbol of chic, like Romy Schneider-meets-Monica Vitti". "She was far less visible than her peers—more mysterious, more grown-up, more unattainable—and that had its own appeal," she added, describing Patitz's unique qualities. At the height of her career Patitz, alongside other models like Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington, starred in the Freedom 90 video. They were recruited after George Michael saw the British Vogue’s January 1990 supermodels cover. Peter Lindbergh, labelled as "the fairy godfather of Patitz’s career," was the photographer who captured Patitz's natural beauty in the 1988 photograph White Shirts: Six Supermodels, Malibu. The Peter Lindbergh Foundation posted a tribute to the supermodel in a Tweet. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tatjana Patitz, a long-time friend of Peter’s. We would like to salute Tatjana’s kindness, inner beauty and outstanding intelligence. Our thoughts go to her loved ones and particularly Jonah. She will be immensely missed. <a href="https://t.co/VGjAhLyC2C">https://t.co/VGjAhLyC2C</a> — Peter Lindbergh Foundation (@peterlindbergh) <a href="https://twitter.com/peterlindbergh/status/1613208506697486338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2023</a></blockquote> The tribute read: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tatjana Patitz, a long-time friend of Peter’s. We would like to salute Tatjana’s kindness, inner beauty and outstanding intelligence. Our thoughts go to her loved ones and particularly Jonah. She will be immensely missed." Tatjana Patitz is survived by her son, Jonah, who has followed in his mother’s footsteps and is now a model. Image: Instagram

News

Sesame Street legend dies at age 90

One of the original stars of Sesame Street has passed away at the 90. Bob McGrath was one of just four cast members hired for the pilot of the children's TV show when it aired in 1969, and continued with the show for 47 seasons. News of the actor's death was shared by the family on his official Facebook page. "Our father Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family," said the post. After appearing on over 150 episodes of the show. numerous specials, direct to video movies, and two feature films, McGrath finally stopped acting on Sesame Street with his last episode entitled Having a Ball in 2017. McGrath conducted lessons for children through his puppeteering and also wrote original sons for the production including People in Your Neighbourhood, Sing a Song, If You're Happy And You Know It and the Sesame Street theme song. McGrath played a character named Bob alongside Matt Robinson as Gordon, Loretta Long as Susan and Will Lee as Mr. Hooper when he began on the show. "We've always looked at children as just short people," McGrath told the<a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2022/12/4/23493160/bob-mcgrath-dead-sesame-street-obituary-cast" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener"> Sun-Times</a> in 1998. "We've never talked down to them." "The kids we were meant to reach, I think we've reached," McGrath added. "They've grown up. They're in their 30s now. They have kids of their own, our Sesame Seeds, and they come up to me and say, 'Thank you very much. It made a major difference in our lives."' Image credits: Getty Images

Caring

Why Chumbawumba’s hit 90s song still resonates

The man behind one of the most iconic songs of the 1990s has opened up about the song’s longevity. Speaking with <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/chumbawumba-tubthumping-90s-hit-song-still-popular-with-younger-generations-dunstan-bruce/4600e40a-a664-46af-9438-69bbd008e8af">Today Extra</a>, Dunstan Bruce, the lead singer of British rock band Chumbawumba, has shared how much the world embraced the message of Tubthumping when it was released 25 years ago. "I'm really proud of the life span that song has had and the fact that it has this universal message," Bruce said. "It seems to transcend time and that's a wonderful feeling that you can become part of popular culture in a way that is like that and that it has such a life." With the iconic music video being set in an unassuming local pub, Bruce said the song is about resilience and people being able to fight against all the things that are going wrong in their lives and "that there's always a way to find solidarity with other people". "It's about community and sharing those moments with other people," he said. "So it's like it was inspired by just going to the local pub and seeing people who have had a really hard week at work but would be out and have a really good time and make the best out of a bad situation I suppose." The 59-year-old musician said following the success of Tubthumping, the band wanted to use their newfound fame to “try and change the world” for the better. Which is why, 25 years after the song’s release, Dunstan is involved in a new documentary titled I Get Knocked Down which addresses those messages he wanted to share when he was younger. "It asks questions about what you do when you enter middle age and can you still have an influence on the world and where do you fit into the world as you get older," he said. "A lot of the time we come to feel invisible in the world and this sounds really cheesy - but it did help me get back up again in a way." Image credits: Getty Images

Music

“Very sad”: Prince Harry arrives 90 minutes too late

In the wake of the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, it has emerged that Prince Harry missed seeing his grandmother one last time by mere hours. The <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/queen-elizabeth-ii-dead-at-96" target="_blank" rel="noopener">96-year-old monarch died peacefully</a> in her Balmoral home after key royals such as Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, rushed to Scotland to be by her side. Prince Anne was already by her mother’s side, having attended an engagement in Balmoral earlier in the week. However, flight data obtained by the Daily Mail has shown that the Duke of Sussex was still airborne when the Queen passed at 6.30pm UK time, landing 15 minutes later and officially leaving the airport at 7pm. He reportedly arrived at the Balmoral estate at 7.52pm, appearing visibly upset as he was photographed while inside a black car. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Prince Harry seen with head in hands after the death of the Queen announced <a href="https://t.co/CoObKSwrUJ">https://t.co/CoObKSwrUJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hbpy86Ibn9">pic.twitter.com/Hbpy86Ibn9</a> — Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) <a href="https://twitter.com/MailOnline/status/1567952832569004034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2022</a></blockquote> Royal commentator and former British Royal Family Press Secretary Dickie Arbiter told Today that King Charles III and Queen Camilla would have arrived pretty quickly at the estate, given that they live “just down the road” at Birkhall. "The rest of the family would have headed towards Northolt Airport, just outside of London, boarded a plane to Aberdeen Airport, then an hour's drive from there," Arbiter said. "It was quite interesting and I find extraordinary that Prince Harry wasn't on the same aircraft, and making his own way there, and probably arrived, if indeed he has arrived, after the death of his grandmother, which, is very sad in the circumstances," he continued, minutes before it was confirmed Harry did not make it to Scotland in time. Royal commentator Chris Ship tweeted: “Very sad for Prince Harry that - despite being in the UK - he didn’t get to see his grandmother, The Queen, before she passed away. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Very sad for Prince Harry that - despite being in the UK - he didn’t get to see his grandmother, The Queen, before she passed away. They were very close and he spoke to her often despite his decision to leave the Royal Family.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QueenElizabeth?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QueenElizabeth</a> <a href="https://t.co/bGMavZ7vQQ">pic.twitter.com/bGMavZ7vQQ</a> — Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisshipitv/status/1567958419214143489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2022</a></blockquote> “They were very close and he spoke to her often despite his decision to leave the Royal Family.” Despite reportedly being just west of London when the Queen went under medical supervision, it is unclear why Harry didn’t travel with the other Royal family members, who landed in Aberdeen at 4pm, per the Daily Mail. The former royal was in London with his wife Meghan Markle - who is understood to have stayed there while he travelled to Scotland - for the WellChild Awards, where Harry was due to give a speech. But, they cancelled their appearance due to the news of the Queen’s ill health. The Sussexes have since paid tribute to the Queen, with their Archewell website turning black and the message, “In loving memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022” appearing in the centre. Image: Getty Images

Family & Pets

Touching video commemorates 70 years of marriage for couple in their 90s

The granddaughter of a couple in their 90s celebrating their 70-year wedding anniversary has shared a heartwarming video of them renewing their vows. The video of the elderly couple has captured the hearts of thousands of viewers, who watched their everlasting love story reach a bittersweet end. Patricia Hoefling, now 97, and her husband John Hoefling, from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, originally met in the 1940s and enjoyed a life of happiness together. John, who fought in Vietnam and Korea, and Patricia, a retired teacher, remained devoted to each other, so they celebrated their platinum anniversary with a vow renewal. The couple's granddaughter Shelby Hoefling, aged 31, from Virginia, shared her grandparent's heartfelt love story in a TikTok video that has gone viral. In the video Shelby explains that her 'Nanny' and 'GrandJack' first married on April 12th, 1947, and added that it would be their 75-year anniversary on the day she posted the video. Shelby shared footage from Patricia and John's 70-year wedding anniversary, which showed the couple renewing their vows. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@shelbyhoefling/video/7085700046897057070" data-video-id="7085700046897057070"> <section><a title="@shelbyhoefling" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@shelbyhoefling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@shelbyhoefling</a> Happy anniversary to my role models ❤️ <a title="fyp" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#fyp</a> <a title="lovestory" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/lovestory" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#lovestory</a> <a title="love" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/love" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#love</a> <a title="♬ original sound - Shelby Hoefling" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7085700047467481902" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ original sound - Shelby Hoefling</a></section> </blockquote> When the couple arrived at the ceremony family and friends greeted them with smiles while bagpipes played in the background. Patricia said on stage “Here's to us, my love.” Shelby then revealed that her grandparents were married a total of 72 years before her grandfather John died at the age of 92. In the popular video Shelby wished her “role models” a happy 75-year anniversary and said her “Nanny doesn't go a day without loving him just as she vowed she would love him all the days of her life.'' Image: TikTok

Relationships

Beloved Seinfeld star dead at 90

The prolific and beloved character actor Phillip Baker Hall has died at 90 years of age. Known for his roles in films like Boogie Nights and Magnolia and shows such as Seinfeld and Modern Family, he had an impressive career spanning over six decades. Hall's wife of nearly 40 years, Holly Wolfle Hall, confirmed the news, saying he died on the 12th of June in Glendale, California, surrounded by loved ones. His most memorable roles in film include playing the IRS Boss in Say Anything, Sydney in Hard Eight, Floyd Gondolli in Boogie Nights, Jimmy Gator in Magnolia, Jack Baylor in Bruce Almighty, Sherwood Morrill in Zodiac and a CIA director in Argo. When it came to TV, Hall gave over 200 guest performances, including as library cop Joe Bookman on Seinfeld, Senator Matt Hunt on The West Wing, Dr. Morrison on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Walt Kleezak on Modern Family. Born in Toledo, Ohio on September the 10th, 1931, Hall began his career as a United States Army translator in Germany and a high school teacher before pursuing acting as he entered his 40s. His career in film really picked up during the '80s, when he starred as Richard Nixon in Secret Honor (1984) and held supporting roles in movies like Garry Marshall's Nothing in Common (1986), Midnight Run (1988) starring Robert De Niro, John Hughes' classic rom-com Say Anything (1989) and Ghostbusters II (1989), in which he played the police commissioner. Hall also began working with Paul Thomas Anderson during the decade, starring in his short film Cigarettes & Coffee in 1993, which then led to his directorial debut Hard Eight (1996) in which Hall stars alongside John C. Reilly. Later appearing in Anderson's films Boogie Nights (1997) and Magnolia (1999), playing an adult theatre magnate and a children's game show host. Hall's career in film continued to grow in the '90s and 2000s with films such as The Truman Show (1998), The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), The Insider (1999), Dogville (2003), Bruce Almighty (2003), Zodiac (2007) and Argo (2012). Phillip is survived by his wife, his brother, four daughters and four grandchildren and will be missed by his fans and family. Image: Getty

News

Reader’s Respond: What do you miss most about the 90s?

We asked our readers what they miss most about the 90s, and some of the responses took us down memory lane while others were just downright heartbreaking. From being younger, to the simplicity of life, to spending time with the kids, here are just a few of your 90s memories. Dawn Larson - My kids were still young enough to talk to me every day and most days, I got a hug. Yahwandi K Kunda - The Music. The simplicity, good manners, courtesy and the togetherness. Kate Young - Everything. My family, mum and dad, youth. Colleen Coad - Being 30 years younger! Alison Foster - My kids being young and wanting to do family things. The simple life and freedom. John Peters - An internet free life. Martin Hession - Collingwood premiership in 1990- that kept me happy for the rest of the 90s. Wayne Kelly Friesen - Common sense, there doesn’t seem to be any anymore. Kathryn Potter - My younger years but most of all my Parents! My Dad died in 95 and Mum 10 days before my 50th in 2000! RIP to both of you but please give me my youth back! I truly loved the 50s, 60s, 70s and the 90s! Greg Thiesfield - Life. Lori Interrante Langer - Prices. Image: Shutterstock

Retirement Life

90s RnB immortalised in the Super Bowl halftime show

In an epic salute to 90s hip-hop and RnB music, a selection of industry legends took to the stage at the Super Bowl half time show in California on Sunday. Leading the charge was LA’s finest Dr Dre, who promised big surprises during the set that he reportedly dropped almost $10 million on. The stage was a replica of a Californian neighbourhood, with the performances taking place on the roofs and in different rooms of the enormous set that sat in centre field.As the show began, Dr Dre opened with this 1995 smash hit California Love, which earned a roar from the native West Coast crowd. Joining Dre on stage was his lifelong protege and collaborator Snoop Dogg, before rapper 50 Cent made a surprise appearance with his 2003 anthem In Da Club. The next artist to hit the stage was Mary J. Blige, as she belted out her 2001 hit Family Affair, before launching into her hit track No More Drama.Following Mary J. Blige was a newer rapper on the scene Kendrick Lamar, who shot to fame in the early 2010s after being inspired by his idols on the stage.Lamar popped out of a cardboard box for his performance while being surrounded by dancers who donned “Dre Day” sashes for their epic choreographed dance routine. Last to the stage was rap legend Eminem, who launched into his 2002 epic song Lose Yourself, making the crowd go wild over this motivational anthem.As the performers joined together for a final moment on the stage, the 15 minute performance ended with a standing ovation from the 80,000-strong crowd of the SoFi stadium. The 2022 show was the first year the epic NFL event has fully embraced a hip-hop act for the half time entertainment. "We're gonna open more doors for hip hop artists in the future and making sure that the NFL understands this is what it should have been a long time ago," Dr. Dre said at a press conference before the show."We're gonna show exactly how professional we can be, how dope we can be on stage and how exciting we are going to be to the fans."Check out the performance <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdsUKphmB3Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image credits: Getty Images

Music

Breathtaking wilderness in the heart of coal country: after a 90-year campaign, Gardens of Stone is finally protected

In the rocky upland wilderness of Wiradjuri Country two hours west of Sydney lies a new protected area with a <a href="https://www.nature.org.au/a_history_of_the_gardens_of_stone_campaign">nine-decade-long history</a> of dogged environmental activism: the Gardens of Stone. Last month, the New South Wales government <a href="https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bill/files/3928/First%20Print.pdf">officially recognised</a> the Gardens of Stone as a State Conservation Area within the National Parks estate. <a href="https://www.nature.org.au/a_history_of_the_gardens_of_stone_campaign">First proposed in 1932</a> and with a small portion of the area designated as National Park in 1994, this decision will see more than 30,000 hectares finally protected. The government has also earmarked the region <a href="https://mattkean.com.au/news/media-release/gardens-stone-and-lost-city-adventures">for ecotourism</a>. With its epic gorges, the globally unique hanging swamps of Newnes Plateau, craggy cliff ravines and slot canyons, this 250-million-year-old geological landscape is a paradise for adventurers. But more than anything, the Gardens of Stone is, as stalwart campaigner Julie Favell puts it, a “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/nov/13/storybook-of-nature-a-landmark-win-as-gardens-of-stone-in-nsws-blue-mountains-protected">storybook of nature</a>”. This is no simple story, but one of a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301421518302489">generational mining community</a> on the brink of social change and an often thankless, hard-won battle for ecological recognition in the heart of coal country. <h2>Sandstone towers and rare wildlife</h2> Towering sandstone and iron-banded <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNcceomLvs0&ab_channel=IntotheWildFilms">pagoda formations</a> are what you’d most likely find on a Gardens of Stone postcard. These intricately weathered structures breach the eucalyptus canopy and cluster on a cliff, like a cross between the temples of Angkor Wat and a massive beehive complex. <iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MNcceomLvs0?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> The Lost City, Newnes Plateau, in Lithgow. For close and curious observers, there are also smaller, less dramatic icons. Rare wildflowers abound, including countless native orchids and the pagoda daisy, which grows only in rocky crags. In fact, the park is home to more than 40 threatened species, including the <a href="https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10841">regent honeyeater</a> and the <a href="https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10207">spotted-tail quoll</a>. A humble jewel of the Gardens of Stone is its endangered upland peat swamps. Resembling a meadow clearing, up close these swamps form watery spongescapes that function as both kitchen and nursery to hundreds of local species. Inhabitants include the endangered <a href="https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10322">Blue Mountains water-skink</a> and <a href="https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10600&linkId=99343958">giant dragonfly</a>. These upland swamps on sandstone are found nowhere else in the world, and they play a critical role in <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09640568.2019.1679100">regional water and climate resilience</a>, as they store carbon and mediate flooding and drought. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434647/original/file-20211130-19-16t5mk1.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434647/original/file-20211130-19-16t5mk1.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Pagoda daisy, which grows nowhere else in Australia. Julie Favell, Author provided <h2>A rocky battle</h2> The environmental features of the Gardens of Stone are so intertwined with local, state and national conservation efforts that to tell the story of one is to tell the story of the other. Local environment groups have worked relentlessly to <a href="https://ro.uow.edu.au/scipapers/3063/">demonstrate the geological heritage</a> of the pagodas in the <a href="https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/5067592/threat-to-gardens-of-stone-from-proposed-open-cut-mining/">face of open cut mining</a>. They have documented the impacts of mining on <a href="http://www.lithgowenvironment.org/pages/swamp%20watch.php">swamps and waterways</a>, tried to <a href="https://www.lithgowmercury.com.au/story/5268473/springvale-fined-for-damage-to-vegetation-in-endangered-swampland/">hold companies accountable</a> for their destruction, and recorded the presence of <a href="http://www.lithgowenvironment.org/pages/flora%20and%20fauna%201.php">many hundreds</a> of previously undocumented plant and animal species in an effort to have the area’s value formally recognised. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434649/original/file-20211130-17-1wc5fr7.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434649/original/file-20211130-17-1wc5fr7.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Gooches Crater swamp, ringed by cliffs and pagodas. Julie Favell, Author provided This long campaign has also been the subject of <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-02/springvale-mine-extension-blocked-in-court/8766742">legal battles</a> in the courts of NSW. The last two decades in particular have seen, for example, countless petitions, <a href="https://gggallery.com.au/anne-graham-2/">public events</a>, <a href="http://www.lithgowenvironment.org/pages/stream%20watch.php">environmental testing and monitoring projects</a>, and the task of sifting through technical mining documents with each new mining proposal. Two mines are currently in operation within the conservation area, with an extension to an <a href="https://www.centennialcoal.com.au/operations/angus-place/">existing site proposed</a>. The most significant impacts from mining in recent decades have been sandstone cracking, causing swamps to dry out and die, and disruptions to upland water flows and regional water quality. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434651/original/file-20211130-15-13m3pgj.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434651/original/file-20211130-15-13m3pgj.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Lithgow Environment Group’s Chris Jonkers in a swamp damaged from nearby mining. Julie Favell, Author provided Conserving the Gardens of Stone has been an uphill battle in overcoming indifference and opposition. At the local level, environmental impacts from mining were <a href="https://www.lithgowmercury.com.au/story/2318819/mining-industry-again-a-target/">derided as inconsequential</a> in the face of mining employment, with campaigners bearing the brunt of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/nov/13/storybook-of-nature-a-landmark-win-as-gardens-of-stone-in-nsws-blue-mountains-protected">distrust and hostility</a> from pro-coal locals towards their perceived interference. At the state level, hard-won environmental protections <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/10/nsw-to-weaken-water-quality-test-for-extensions-to-mines">were overthrown in favour of mining approvals</a>. In 2017, the NSW government weakened laws to allow mining extensions that impacted Sydney’s drinking water quality, with <a href="https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/threatened-species/nsw-threatened-species-scientific-committee/determinations/final-determinations/2004-2007/alteration-of-habitat-following-subsidence-due-to-longwall-mining-key-threatening-process-listing">likely damage</a> to legally protected swamps within the Gardens of Stone not addressed. Due to existing mining developments, the extended Gardens of Stone isn’t officially designated as a National Park, but is instead a “<a href="https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/conservation-and-heritage/state-conservation-areas">conservation area</a>”. This means any new developments, such as extensions to mines, must use processes <a href="https://www.lithgowmercury.com.au/story/7368602/centennial-coal-propose-new-project-to-delight-of-environmentalists/">that support</a> conservation requirements. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434655/original/file-20211130-21-1e6u2x3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434655/original/file-20211130-21-1e6u2x3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Spotted-tail quolls are one of the rare species living in the Gardens of Stone. Shutterstock <h2>Transitioning away from coal</h2> Hopefully, encouraging responsible developments will avoid further <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-30/gardens-of-stone-conservation-proposal/100103246">ecological damage</a> and help enable a smoother economic transition away from coal in the coming decades. Despite Australia’s <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/11/11/coal-mining-australia-climate-cop26/">national climate strategy</a> remaining entrenched in coal, <a href="https://www.lithgowmercury.com.au/story/7291551/angus-place-in-doubt-after-parent-company-pivots-to-clean-energy-future/">local coal</a> prospects are winding down. This seems heralded by <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-24/wallerawang-coal-demolition/100643694">last week’s demolition of Wallerawang Power Station</a> just outside the new conservation area. The new conservation area comes with a A$50 million investment, and will see hundreds of thousands of visitors flocking to explore a range of proposed new attractions. Chief among these will be the Lost City Adventure Experience, featuring Australia’s longest zipline and an elevated canyon walk, as well as a rock-climbing route and a six day wilderness track. These attractions are expected to create an extra 200 jobs. This new pivot towards ecotourism provides an example of a strategic and environmentally just transition pathway for the coal community in practice. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434653/original/file-20211130-23-12arbsv.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434653/original/file-20211130-23-12arbsv.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Pagodas at Newnes in the Gardens of Stone. Julie Favell, Author provided The Gardens of Stone victory may reflect a <a href="https://www.lithgowmercury.com.au/story/5577143/mundey-cfmeu-conservationists-talk-39000-hectare-state-reserve/">new dawn of negotiation</a> that could mark an end to the often antagonistic view of conservation as a threat to local livelihoods in this area. This victory and vision belongs squarely with its environmental campaigners, some of whom have <a href="https://www.nature.org.au/a_history_of_the_gardens_of_stone_campaign">given over 30 years of sustained and dedicated effort</a> to make it a reality. As the world’s attention is increasingly turned towards climate action, the success of this campaign may provide the surge of momentum we need for a more sustainable future.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/172503/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hannah-della-bosca-416132">Hannah Della Bosca</a>, PhD Candidate and Research Assistant at Sydney Environment Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/breathtaking-wilderness-in-the-heart-of-coal-country-after-a-90-year-campaign-gardens-of-stone-is-finally-protected-172503">original article</a>.

Domestic Travel

90-year-old mechanic retires after 75 years at same company

A 90-year-old Vauxhall mechanic has finally hung up his tools after working for the same company for 75 years, saying continuing to work there helped keep him young. Bryan Webb was presented with a ceremonial spanner by colleagues at his farewell, where a plaque made in his honour was also unveiled. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845385/mechanic1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b753b75e25a34e5689dfa5942d387d79" /> Bryan Webb (left) with local branch director Julian Bawdown (right) after his plaque was unveiled. Image: Vauxhall Mr Webb said he would miss working but looked forward to having a cup of tea and a sleep in the afternoons. “I always thought if you kept working it kept you young,” he told the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-59070753" target="_blank">BBC</a>. “If you work it keeps you going, it gets you up in the morning to get out.” Mr Webb started at the company in 1946 as a mechanical apprentice after walking into Hough & Whitmore garage in Gloucester. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845386/mechanic2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/641a77c432d845ed92362d65b684b26a" /> Bryan Webb (third from left) pictured shortly after starting work as a mechanical apprentice in 1946. Image: Vauxhall Since then he has gone on to hold several other roles, including a 34-year stint as a warranty administrator. “I was in workshop control and working with trucks and cars,” he said. “You had to wash engines off out in the cold and it was hard work in the early days but things change, cars change, and when you strip an engine now it’s clean rather than being full of muck. “The biggest change I’ve seen in my career is new technology coming in,” he <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/vauxhall/press/master-and-apprentice-vauxhall-stalwart-retires-after-clocking-up-75-years-of-service?utm_source=vauxhallsocial&utm_medium=SOC-CON&utm_campaign=OV_UK_28102021_vn_AlwaysOnCorsa-e_1GJOA5FESF_OnGoing_SOC-CON_A_TF&ddm1_psa_ovuk=HashedMail" target="_blank">added</a>. In 1970, Mr Webb was recognised for 25 years of service and was handed a commemorative watch, which he still wears today. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845387/mechanic3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/87a17fbefa114cf6a961a5628effa9e8" /> Mr Webb received a ceremonial spanner from his colleagues at his farewell party. Image: BBC He said that when he turned 65 he would stay on “for a couple of years, and it turned into 25”. Local branch director Julian Bawdon - who joined the company in 2008 - said he asked Mr Webb how much longer he would stay with the company. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vauxhall?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vauxhall</a> wishes one of its longest-serving staff members a happy retirement, ending a 75-year career with the company. Bryan Webb began work for <a href="https://twitter.com/vauxhall?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Vauxhall</a> in 1946, after walking into his local garage & by the age of 26, he was already workshop foreman. 👉<a href="https://t.co/e4zCDuiPGD">https://t.co/e4zCDuiPGD</a> <a href="https://t.co/JwjgKI5Zvr">pic.twitter.com/JwjgKI5Zvr</a> — Vauxhall PR (@VauxhallPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/VauxhallPR/status/1453714486959947783?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2021</a></blockquote> “I said to him as long as he can still do the job he can carry on, and here we are today with 75 years service,” he said. “He’s bright as a button. Bryan’s a character and we’ll all miss having him around.” Image: Vauxhall

Retirement Income

Prince Philip’s will to be kept sealed for 90 years

The UK High Court has ruled that Prince Philip’s will is to remain secret so as to protect the “dignity” of Queen Elizabeth, owing to her constitutional role. Philip died in April at the age of 99 following almost 74 years as the Queen’s consort. Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the Family Division of the High Court, heard arguments from lawyers representing Philip’s estate and the attorney general, who represents the public interest, in a private hearing in July, and published the court’s ruling on Thursday. In the ruling, McFarlane ordered that Philip’s will remain sealed for 90 years, and even after that date, may only be opened in private. The judge said: “I have held that, because of the constitutional position of the sovereign, it is appropriate to have a special practice in relation to royal wills. There is a need to enhance the protection afforded to truly private aspects of the lives of this limited group of individuals in order to maintain the dignity of the sovereign and close members of her family.” <img style="width: 387.71676300578036px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844160/gettyimages-514906468.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9e70da170abc437c8899459ac81d545a" /> According to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/17/prince-philip-duke-edinburgh-will-secret-90-years-queen-dignity">The Guardian</a>, it has been convention for over a century that following the death of a senior member of the royal family, an application to seal their will is made to the president of the family division of the High Court. This means their wills are not publicly available the way most wills are. McFarlane also ruled that any future judgements on applications to seal wills belonging to members of the royal family would remain closed, and therefore will not be made public. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died on April 9th of this year, following a 73-year marriage to Queen Elizabeth, making him the longest-serving royal consort in world history. At the time, Buckingham Palace released a statement reading, "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss." Images: Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty Images, Bettmann/Getty Images

Legal

Why Dawson’s Creek, in all its cringey glory, is the TV show 90s kids need right now

In times of flux and crisis, nostalgia works like a social ointment, mixed and mashed together through imperfect memory. Netflix’s re-release of Dawson’s Creek (1998-2003) is an ointment tailor-made for adults who were once 90s kids. In the 90s we were on the verge of adulthood, all the complexity of the teenage drama playing out on Dawson’s Creek titillating our adolescence. And now we’ve arrived, we want desperately to go back to our teenage years. Dawson’s Creek was time of simpler politics, the beauty of youth and the innocence of virginity. In the idyllic town of Capeside, Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek) is a typical 90s all-American teen with a passion for film and popular culture. The series traces the complexity of Dawson’s close adolescent friendship groups, romantic relationships and the angsty problems plaguing teen life. As for sexual tension, Dawson’s Creek flirted with it all – from the virginal girl-next-door Joey (Katie Holmes) to the sexually-mature out-of-towner Jen (Michelle Williams). And let’s not forget Dawson’s best friend, Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson), whose tryst with a 36-year-old English teacher seems even creepier in hindsight. Still, like all things nostalgic, our memories of Dawson’s Creek have to do with a longing for a golden age that never truly existed. COVID has enhanced these feelings of longing for a romanticised past: whether a golden age of bread-baking or through wearing “Mom jeans”. Comfort food We often return to familiar stories after a crisis. After the 9/11 attacks, American television and film emphasised strong role models of masculinity and the “cowboy” mythology. Americans were looking for a sense of security – a steely-eyed hero to swoop in and make everything OK again. Dawson’s Creek brings us back to innocence and simplicity. Even if it was always just a fantasy. In the summery Cape Cod town of Dawson’s Creek, teens are free to touch, embrace, love, and roam freely. And they certainly do all those things in spades. A central tension of the series is the love triangle between Dawson, Pacey and Joey. While it brings all manner of tears and diatribes, Dawson’s Creek offers a micro-drama we know will eventually resolve. The only thing better than no problem is a problem we know can be fixed. Returning to the creek When the series streamed on the weekend, I jumped in and found Capeside exactly where I had left it: in unbearably pristine condition. But with fresh eyes, the cringe-factor was astronomical. One of the great elements of the show, differing from others of its nature and era was the cadence of the dialogue. The writers clearly had no regard for how teenagers spoke. In the first episode, Joey foreshadows the coming season’s narrative, telling Dawson “[…] our emerging hormones are destined to alter our relationship and I’m trying to limit the fallout”. Re-watching as an adult, it feels exactly how a teenager wants to sound, but usually falls endearingly short. I can’t recall making any quippy statements that perfectly articulated a meta-analysis of my own chaotic adolescent experience. Then there’s the scene where the new English teacher, Tamara (Leann Hunley), meets Pacey for the first time at the video store and asks for a copy of The Graduate (1967). Clearly, the writers were not going for subtlety. Reliving teenage life Dawson’s Creek brings with it a carnival of long-lost 90s moments: the posters on Dawson’s wall referencing Spielberg films; his job at the local video store; the cassettes and VHS tapes strewn around teenage bedrooms; the grunge-lite clothing. Though our teen years comprise a small fraction of our lives, they often hold far more emotional weight. Psychologists theorise this is because of the impact of the often painful negotiation between holding onto the safety of childhood, and the dreams of emerging adulthood. This negotiation marks these years with such force they stay imprinted in ways other decades do not. During this time, there is also a critical relationship between the importance of popular culture and moments of identity formation. The art we grow up with imprints upon our psyche for life. So perhaps I am not so much cringing at the show, but cringing at myself. Dawson’s Creek gives me a safe space to revisit my teenage years. Through remembering what I watched, I can remember who I was. Known knowns It is strange to watch the show now we know how it turned out – both on screen and off. We leave the crew as they leave the creek, trying to find their own feet in the world in their own burgeoning adulthoods. Van Der Beek has had some minor success: he was impressive in The Rules of Attraction (2002) and pulled off some great self-referential television, playing himself in Don’t Trust the B Apartment 23 (2012–13). Holmes had some great parts but never seemed to thrive in her acting career, while Jackson has shone in subsequent television roles. But it was Williams who became the breakout star. The youngest major cast member, she has been nominated for four Academy Awards. Back in the day Dawson’s Creek offered us an escape – even if momentarily. And now, perhaps it has a similar function. In the turmoil of 2020, it is comforting to return to the fantasy of Capeside’s pristine community, where the biggest problem is who will Joey choose? Written by Laura Glitsos. This article first appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-dawsons-creek-in-all-its-cringey-glory-is-the-tv-show-90s-kids-need-right-now-148539">The Conversation</a>.

Touching moment 90-year-old superfan kisses the Duchess of Cambridge’s hand

Duchess Kate has continued to win the hearts of the people in South Wales as she met a 90-year-old superfan on her latest royal outing. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were greeting people who lined up on a pier in Swansea, where the Duchess made a beeline for Harvey Bentley from Swansea. Harvey was there with his son-in-law Mike Sutton Smith and Harvey chatted with the duchess before taking her hand and placing a kiss on the back of it. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/mikesuttonsmith?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mikesuttonsmith</a> who shared this lovely clip of Kate meeting his father-in-law Harvey Bentley, 90, and got William to come and say hello too: <a href="https://t.co/1Dq8Ijn8er">pic.twitter.com/1Dq8Ijn8er</a> — Emily Nash (@emynash) <a href="https://twitter.com/emynash/status/1224714549724688387?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2020</a></blockquote> Duchess Kate bent down to talk to Harvey, asking if he was warm enough due to the “chilly wind”. Duchess Kate said to Harvey: “I hope you're keeping warm enough. You've wrapped up well? It's that chilly wind. “Thank you for coming to say hello to us. Very nice to meet you. I'll get William to come and say hello.” The Duke of Cambridge then came over to greet the retired mechanic. Harvey was over the moon with the meeting, saying that “they are the nicest people you could meet”. His son in law was impressed as well. “William told Harvey he didn't look a day over 60!' said Mike, according to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7966103/Touching-moment-90-year-old-royal-superfan-pecks-Duchess-Cambridges-hand.html" target="_blank">The Daily Mail</a>. “This is the most exciting day Harvey has had in many years. We are so impressed with them, they are incredible.” Mike then thanked the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on Twitter. “William and Kate, each of you paused to look my father-in-law in the eye today, to listen to him and be his friend for a few timeless beautiful minutes,” he wrote. “You are the real deal and he and our family will never ever forget. Thankyou xx” Photo credits: Twitter <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://twitter.com/emynash/status/1224715890672967682" target="_blank">@emynash</a>

Beauty & Style

This ‘90s decor item is making a comeback

As anyone who’s watched The Block knows, mastering the skills of styling a modern-day bedroom is pretty much the key to life success. But what if The Block had been around a couple of decades ago, when Scotty, Shelley and Shaynna were merely a glint in a TV producer’s eye? Could these renovation experts have ever, pray tell, predicted that dancing flowers, rockstar sunnies, would go out of vogue? That Fido Dido bedspreads would fail to make a comeback or that teenage bedrooms would no longer be plastered with posters of Jason Priestley? Admittedly, it can be a sticky wicket trying to guess when trends are suddenly going to rocket back into fashion (90210 did get a second life). Who could have predicted the mysterious resurgence of Crocs, macramé, high-waisted jeans and white Reebok sneakers? As for the boudoir, who knew that lava lamps would be replaced years later by a sea of Himalayan salt lamps promising to ward off electronic nasties. Or that our sleeping quarters would begin morphing into botanic gardens. Fiddle leaf fig, anyone? But this article isn’t really about any of that. It’s about dreamcatchers. Yep, they’re back – in a big, boho way – appearing everywhere from Bali to Byron. A friend reports seeing dreamy dreamcatchers selling for 500 clams at a high-end boutique in LA. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BUveTO2gN9R/" target="_blank">A post shared by Dreamcatcher Collective (@dreamcatcher_collective_au)</a> on May 30, 2017 at 8:33pm PDT </div> </blockquote> So, what on earth brought on this dream run? What’s the line between tacky, and terribly on-trend these days? And would it be embarrassing if I bought a dreamcatcher, or more embarrassing if I didn’t? First, I posed a few hard-hitting questions to Emma Blomfield, an interior stylist and co-founder of The Decorating School. Are they stylish, I ask? “If they’re done in the right way they can be,” says Blomfield. “For a kid’s room I think they’re really cute, a bit whimsical.” But for adults, especially those who let their dreamcatchers stray into living quarters, “it’s still a fine line between tacky and stylish”, Blomfield warns. “Keep it relatively neutral with a focus on texture. If you’re going to go for hot pink … maybe not.” So why are dreamcatchers suddenly back in our bedrooms? “I think that with boho there’s a lot of macrame products on the market, and that’s been a real trend in the last 18 months,” says Blomfield. “They’re probably a continuation of that. I’d say it’s stemmed from boho.” Of course, the first dreamcatchers definitely weren’t designed for commercial purposes. Instead, they were believed to have originated with the Ojibwe indigenous people in North America, before becoming popular with Native Americans of many cultures. The common legend is that dreamcatchers ward off bad dreams, and catch the good ones in their web. Mostly, they were said to have been woven by grandmothers, who would hang them above babies’ cradles for protection. Later, they became associated with hippies, before becoming more mainstream, sparking talk of cultural appropriation. Emma Debroke, manager at online retailer the Dreamcatcher Collective, says the modern-day dreamcatchers differ from the traditional designs. Some people buy them to comfort children, while some people just find their designs calming. Each year, the business sells thousands of dreamcatchers, including DIY kits, with their popularity constantly growing. “It’s grown astronomically – we now have over 43,000 followers on Instagram, and that’s only in the last two years,” says Debroke. “People are also buying them [the dreamcatcher craft kits] for their kids because they want them involved and away from technology.” Kate Attfield’s business Sew Craft Cook runs birthday parties and school holiday workshops teaching children craft skills. Her dreamcatcher workshop is by far the most popular. “They’re kind of textural and interesting,” says Attfield. “Some of the kids talk about catching their dreams but the majority of them just actually think they’re beautiful.” She believes people are becoming interested in living in a more natural way, and perhaps creating something with elements that are unique to them. “I think people have had enough of commercial stuff.” Written by Larissa Ham. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.domain.com.au" target="_blank">Domain.com.au.</a>

Home & Garden

How bank staff saved a 90-year-old man from scammers

Overseas scammers who tried to dupe an elderly man out of his savings underestimated the power of community nous. In the past week, police received a report from a 90-year-old man who was very nearly scammed out of significant amounts of money. Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said a company selling holidays contacted the elderly man, telling him he had stayed at one of their motels in 2009, which he had not, and he was due a refund. To get the refund he was told to purchase New World gift vouchers to the value of $500. He was then told that a representative would come to his house and give him a cheque for $2495 that he could claim a tax credit for. "Police went to the elderly man's address and waited for the call, the caller had an accent and stated their representative would not come around until the man had given them the code numbers for the vouchers first. "The male was very insistent and swore at the man. He hung up and another man with an accent then called again and attempted to get the elderly gentleman to give him the voucher code numbers – he too was very aggressive." On the final call police answered the phone and identified themselves but the call went dead straight away, Kerrisk said. "On this occasion it was the good work of the bank staff who realised that something was wrong when the elderly gentleman came to the bank to access his funds. It was bank staff who accompanied him to the Police Station as they were worried that he was about to be scammed and police thank the bank staff for looking out for the victim." If you believe you may be on the receiving end of one of these calls, police advise the following: <ul> <li>Hang up immediately.</li> <li>If it doesn't seem right, be cautious, double-check details first.</li> <li>Look after your personal details in the same way you would your wallet and other possessions: Your personal details are very valuable to scammers, they will use your details to take out loans or run up debts if they can.</li> <li>Be aware of common scams: For example, banks, Immigration New Zealand or Inland Revenue never email, call or text customers to ask for money to be sent using money transfer services. If you receive a request like that, it is a scam.</li> <li>Don't trust anyone who calls you and asks for your financial related information, such as your account details and password.</li> <li>Don't trust anyone that offers you a reward that you have to pay for first.</li> </ul> Written by Jo Mckenzie-Mclean. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

Legal

Lonely 90-year-old woman’s heartbreaking plea for company

When 37-year-old Marleen Brooks from Missouri in the US came home from work and sorted through her mail earlier this year, she had no idea she was about to find a letter that would change her life. It was short, written in a shaky scrawl, and it broke Marleen’s heart. <img width="500" height="319" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7265049/in-text_500x319.jpg" alt="In -text"/> “Would you consider to become my friend,” the note read. “I’m 90 years old – live alone and all my friends have passed away. I am so lonesome and scared. Please – I pray for some one.” Marleen, whose own grandmother had passed away alone in hospice care, burst into tears. She noticed that the woman’s address was just two doors down from her house, but in her year and a half of living in the street, had no idea anyone even lived there. The next day, Marleen and a friend brought cupcakes to the woman. Her name was Wanda Mills, she was 90 years old and had lived in the house for over 50 years. Her husband and sister had died, as had one of her sons. Another lived far away and a third son actually lived next door, but didn’t visit often. <img width="500" height="374" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7265048/in-text-2_500x374.jpg" alt="In -text 2 (1)"/> Wanda confessed she hadn’t left the house in seven years, relying instead on caregivers who visited daily. But they weren’t the same as friends. “I hope you didn’t think I was stupid for writing you, but I had to do something,” Wanda told Marleen. “Thank you so much for coming over. I’ve lived here for 50 years and don’t know any of my neighbours.” The pair quickly hit it off, and it gave Marleen a brilliant idea – why not take this opportunity to help other lonely seniors find companionship? She wasted no time, setting up a Facebook group called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ppfs2017/" target="_blank">Pen Pals for Seniors</a> in the hope of connecting lonely older people and encouraging them to keep up regular correspondence with others. The group was an instant hit, with 6,000 people joining in just over a month. Months on from their first meeting, Wanda has moved into an aged care facility – but her friendship with Marleen, who visits regularly along with her husband and son, is stronger than ever. Tell us in the comments below, are you friends with your neighbours? Do you think more needs to be done to prevent people becoming isolated in old age? Image credit: Marleen Brooks/Facebook.

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