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Seinfeld and Analyze This star dies at age 93

<p>Comedian and actor Pat Cooper has passed away peacefully in his Las Vegas home at 93 years of age.</p> <p>Cooper was known for his regular appearances on <em>The Howard Stern Show</em>, and his role in the film <em>Analyze This </em>alongside Robert De Niro, as well as its sequel <em>Analyze That</em>.</p> <p>His producer, Steve Garrin confirmed the news of the star’s death to <em>Fox News Digita</em>l.</p> <p>"There was nobody like Pat Cooper, who burned every bridge that he went over. I put out a lot of the fires!" he joked.</p> <p>“He was one man who was honest. You could depend on him. You could trust him. If he gave you his word and said he was going to do something, he did it. And he helped so many people,” Garrin added.</p> <p>The Brooklyn-born comic also made a brief appearance in a <em>Seinfeld </em>episode titled <em>The Friar's Club</em>, where he played himself, after his reputation as the roast-master at the Friar's Club - where comedians throw their best jokes at each other - garnered the attention of Larry David.</p> <p>“I was sitting at his table in his kitchen and the phone rings, and it’s Larry David,” Garrin recalled the moment Cooper was asked to appear on the show.</p> <p>"He picks up the phone, and he hangs it up. I go, ‘What was that?’ He says, ‘Some nut.’ The phone rings again, and he picks it up, and he hangs it up.</p> <p>“I said, ‘What’s going on with you?’ and he goes, ‘Some guy says he’s Larry David,’ and I said, ‘Well, maybe if he calls again, see if it is,’” Garrin added.</p> <p>A few comedians have paid tribute to the star.</p> <p>“Rest in Peace Pat Cooper. No one ever had the fire for as long as you did. An absolute force of nature and one of the greatest comedians I’ve ever seen,” wrote American comedian, Bill Burr, on Twitter.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rest in Peace Pat Cooper. No one ever had the fire for as long as you did. An absolute force of nature and one of the greatest comedians I’ve ever seen.</p> <p>— Bill Burr (@billburr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billburr/status/1666843262714535937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>“RIP Pat Cooper. I was lucky enough to interact with him on the radio, as well as Tough Crowd. We lived in the same neighbourhood and he always took the time to stop and talk for a few minutes in front of his apt,” tweeted American comedian Jim Norton.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">RIP Pat Cooper. I was lucky enough to interact with him on the radio, as well as Tough Crowd. We lived in the same neighborhood and he always took the time to stop and talk for a few minutes in front of his apt. His energy was limitless. Pat was an unstoppable, hilarious force.</p> <p>— Jim Norton (@JimNorton) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimNorton/status/1666619128273068032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>“His energy was limitless. Pat was an unstoppable, hilarious force,” he added.</p> <p>Cooper is survived by his wife, Emily Conner, two daughters and a son.</p> <p><em>Image: Grant Lamos IV/ FilmMagic/ Getty Images</em></p>

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KISS concert halted as Gene Simmons falls ill on stage

<p>KISS singer Gene Simmons gave fans - and bandmates - a fright when dehydration got the better of him live on stage, and the group were forced to bring their entire concert to a halt. </p> <p>In a video from the event, KISS’ Paul Stanley can be seen addressing the crowd, telling them that “we’re gonna have to stop to take care of him. Because we love him, right?”</p> <p>He goes on to call for a cheer for Simmons, with the 73-year-old catching his breath on a chair on stage - the same chair that he remained in for the rest of the show, after a five minute break to assure he was well enough to continue.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="pt">Gene Simmons, baixista e vocalista do Kiss, passa mal e show é brevemente interrompido na Arena da Amazônia. <a href="https://t.co/nphJEj1PQo">pic.twitter.com/nphJEj1PQo</a></p> <p>— A Crítica (@ACritica) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACritica/status/1646372105523478529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>And while fans were concerned for the singer, he later took to social media to assure them that he was “fine” and looking forward to the band’s next stadium performance. </p> <p>“I’m fine. Yesterday at Manaus Stadium in Brazil, [I] experienced weakness because of dehydration,” he explained. “We stopped for about five minutes, I drank some water, and then all was well. Nothing serious.”</p> <p>“Brazil is hotter than hell!!” one fan responded, “so glad you're okay and I can't wait to see you in São Paulo! Take care, god of thunder!!”</p> <p>“Even the God of Thunder needs hydration,” another agreed. “Good to hear you're doing well.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hey everybody, thanks for the good wishes. I’m fine. Yesterday at Manaus Stadium in Brazil, experienced weakness because of dehydration. We stopped for about five minutes, I drank some water, and then all was well. Nothing serious. Tomorrow, Bogota Stadium. See you there!</p> <p>— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) <a href="https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/1646530305791266818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>And as news broke around the world of what had gone down in Brazil, Simmons returned with another round of assurances, writing that it was “not a big deal” while again thanking everyone for their well wishes. </p> <p>“Last night we played Amazon jungle Stadium/Brazil. Humidity and temperature were sky high. I was dehydrated and was forced to sit for a song,” he said. “We got back on stage in 5 minutes &amp; finished the show.”</p> <p>It was enough for his fans, who were quick to share their delight that their star was okay, as well as voicing their excitement for upcoming shows - with a good portion of requests for the singer to take care of himself, and avoid a repeat performance. </p> <p>“Happy to hear you're doing better,” one wrote. “Even more happy it wasn’t anything serious.Ya'll take care.”</p> <p>“Frankly, I don’t know [how] you do it every night. You’re amazing!” another declared. </p> <p>Meanwhile, some could see the humour in it all now that their fears had been put to rest, with one joking “and who says playing music couldn't be dangerous”.</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

Caring

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"Guy is clueless": Kyrgios hits back at Pat Rafter

<p>Nick Kyrgios has hit back at Aussie tennis legend Pat rafter after he dubbed Kyrgios' doubles team with Thanasi Kokkinakis a "circus".</p> <div id="story-primary"> <p>Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, a duo that has been dubbed the "Special Ks", took the Australian Open by storm in 2022 when they teamed up and claimed the doubles crown.</p> <p>The doubles act brought their signature flair to the court, bringing audiences to their feet in a memorable display of sporting showmanship. </p> <p>But Rafter said the way the pair conduct themselves during the match has ruffled feathers among those on tour and left them on the outside within the locker room.</p> <p>Rafter appeared on the <em>Australian Open: The Happy Slam</em> podcast and labelled the doubles act as a “circus”. </p> <p>“It’s an interesting one that is, because the players are really upset about it,” Rafter said.</p> <p>“I don’t know how that operates with them and doesn’t really bother me either way. It’s a bit of a circus … doubles is a great event, it’s a lot of fun, and it helps you with singles, but it’s not where it’s at. But at the same time, it’s entertainment.”</p> <p>“If they create drama, create ticket sales, and they create people watching, then good on them, but at what expense, I don’t know. The players are really upset. Are you supposed to understand the underwritten rule that that’s not how you behave when you do?” Rafter said.</p> <p>Kyrgios hit back at Rafter on social media, slamming the Aussie sports legend for fabricating the outrage of players. </p> <p>“He would have absolutely zero idea on what the locker room thinks. Me and kokk have great relationships with most of the players on tour. Guy is clueless,” Kyrgios wrote on Twitter.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> </div>

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"We'll all miss you": Lisa Curry shares heartbreaking news

<p dir="ltr">Former Olympian Lisa Curry has shared heartbreaking news that her beloved mum had passed away aged 86.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 59-year-old took to Instagram on Thursday night to share the sad update about Pat, two weeks after <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/lisa-curry-finally-reunites-with-86-year-old-mum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they were finally able to reunite</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My heart is broken again. Our beautiful mum slipped away peacefully this morning,” Curry wrote in her heartfelt tribute, along with sharing a photo of her mum with a red rose and a teddy bear.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-77001a45-7fff-9bfe-65fb-6eac05199a80"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“My brother Scott travelled for 48 hrs from Berlin, my sister Melanie and I continually counting down the days, hours and minutes to mum until he arrived. She waited. We shared some last laughs, memories and lots of tears.”</p> <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/p/CapF1_Gp0qM/?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/p/CapF1_Gp0qM/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Lisa Curry AO (@lisacurry)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The loss comes less than two years after Curry lost her daughter Jaimi, who died battling an eating disorder in 2020.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Ma to Jaimi, Morgan, Jett and Bodhi; Mama to Flynn and Taj,” her tribute continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My baby girl, and now my mum … 86 years, nearly 87 …</p> <p dir="ltr">“I took this photo just yesterday … so beautiful and peaceful, I love this photo.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you for being a wonderful mother. Have a nice long sleep mum. We love you so much and we’ll all miss you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Curry previously shared a clip of herself in full PPE in mid-February, when she was able to visit her mum in her aged care facility after it was locked down for a month.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Shout out to all the nurses and doctors, or anyone who has to wear this stuff every single day - I don’t know how you can do it, I can’t breathe!” she said in the video.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Good on you. Thanks for looking after our elderly parents. Thanks.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Her tribute to her mum was quickly flooded with supportive and kind messages from her followers and friends, including her <em>I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!</em> co-stars Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Tegan Martin.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sending you so much love beautiful. 💗,” Bassingthwaighte wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So sorry 😢 sending you lots of love jungle ma. 💗💗,” Martin commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What a beautiful picture of your mum. She looks peaceful and content. I’m so sorry for all the sadness you have had to endure. Love to you and all your family xx 💗💗,” another follower shared.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sorry to see you’ve lost your mum Lisa. I lost mine 12 years ago,” a second person wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s so hard… there’s truly no one like your mum. Carry her in your heart 💗💗.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-44975433-7fff-b98e-3989-c7a383b16a4d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @lisacurry (Instagram)</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Sorry, not sorry: Djokovic speaks out on patting chair umpire's feet

<p>Novak Djokovic has apologised for touching the umpire during his Australian Open final match on Sunday night.</p> <p>The Serb initially defended his decision to tap official Damien Dumusois twice on the foot, describing it as “a nice, really friendly touch”, but expressed his regret on Monday.</p> <p>“In a professional sport, things happen that obviously you’re not proud of,” Djokovic said.</p> <p>“Sometimes you do things that you’re not happy with and you go through different emotions, you go through ups and downs.</p> <p>“Of course, I’m not happy that I touched the chair umpire. And I’m sorry if I offended him or anybody else.</p> <p>“But in the heat of the battle, some decisions that he makes or some decision that happens just distracts you and sets you off the balance a little bit.”</p> <p>According to the official grand slam rule book, Djokovic could be charged with a fine of up to NZ$30,959 for the action.</p> <p>“Players shall not at any time physically abuse any official, opponent, spectator or other person within the precincts of the tournament site,” the rules state. “Violation of this section shall subject a player to a fine up to US$20,000 [NZ$30,959] for each violation.”</p> <p>In the post-match press conference, Djokovic said he did not believe he overstepped the mark. “For touching his shoe? I mean, I didn’t know that’s completely forbidden,” he said after securing his 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 against Dominic Thiem.</p> <p>“I thought it was a nice, really friendly touch. I wasn’t aggressive with him in terms of physical abuse.”</p>

Legal

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Airport officers under scrutiny after prolonged pat-down of 96-year-old woman in wheelchair

<p><span>A daughter has recorded the moment her 96-year-old wheelchair-bound mother was subjected to a prolonged security pat-down at a US airport.</span></p> <p><span>The video, which has over 9 million views, shows Evelyn LaBrier being searched at Dulles Airport in Washington DC.</span></p> <p><span>Evelyn’s daughter, Jeanne Clarkson, becomes irritated throughout the search and is heard saying: “What the hell do you think she’s going to do? Set off a shoe bomb?</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjeanneclarkson%2Fvideos%2F10211494393131675%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=264" width="264" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br /></span></p> <p><span>“I was just shocked. I’ve travelled with her before, I’ve been in a wheelchair myself unable to walk through the machines and I’ve never had that kind of a pat-down ever,” Jeanne said.</span></p> <p><span>"I couldn’t believe they were doing this to my 96-year-old mother. It was just shock and frustration because they would not talk to me. I felt helpless.”</span></p> <p><span>In the footage, a Transportation Security Administration officer is seen manoeuvring the woman’s arms to search her.</span></p> <p><span>Another TSA officer moves in front of Jeanne, blocking the phone camera and her view.</span></p> <p><span>“She didn’t know what to say. She does not want to fly again ever,” Jeanne said.</span></p> <p><span>“She didn’t know what they were looking for. She was scared.</span></p> <p><span>“She was just following directions. She said she didn’t know what to do.”</span></p> <p><span>Washington Dulles Airport released a statement in response to the controversy surrounding the viral video.</span></p> <p><span>“Many of you have reached out to us to express concern over a video of a security screening taking place at Dulles International Airport. Security screening at our checkpoints is directed and conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). We have shared customer comments with the TSA for their immediate review and appropriate action,” the airport said.</span></p> <p><span>Many who viewed the footage expressed their concerns over the treatment of the elderly woman.</span></p> <p><span>“This was a 96 year old woman, who was searched repeatedly over and over. I think my concern would have been to treat this elderly woman more kindly with Compassion, not subjecting her to this uncalled body search.”</span></p> <p><span>Another said, “That lady looked like she was going to cry!! That is BEYOND harassment... to give her bad memories like that!”</span></p> <p><span>However, some viewers did not think there was anything wrong with the way the TSA officers conducted the search.</span></p> <p><span>“I know I will probably receive a lot of backlash, but it seemed to me that they treated her with nothing but respect. Their job is to keep people safe. And sometimes that includes searching people,” a Facebook user wrote.</span></p> <p><span>Do you think there is anything wrong with the way the elderly woman was searched? Let us know in the comments below.</span></p>

Travel Trouble

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Calf bears uncanny resemblance to KISS rocker Gene Simmons

<p>A Texas rancher has spotted a surprising similarity between a newborn calf and a legendary rocker, KISS frontman Gene Simmons.</p> <p>Heather Leonard Taccetta, who works at the Cowboy Steak House in Kerrville, Texas, posted a photo saying the calf born on July 28 with facial markings – complete with the long tongue poking out – uncannily resembled the KISS rocker.</p> <p><img width="536" height="322" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/07/31/20/42D8124800000578-4746792-image-a-84_1501528614829.jpg" alt="Face markings on newborn calf Genie  bear an uncanny resemblance to the stage makeup worn by KISS frontman Gene Simmons, who has worn the black and white makeup for decades" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="i-ec77b3a4bcac69ad"/></p> <p>Taccetta sent a photo of the newborn named, Genie, to her local tourism board, Hill Country Tourism, which posted the image on its Hill Country Visitor Facebook page. </p> <p>In the Facebook <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hill.country.visitor/" target="_blank">post</a></strong></span>, tourism officials cheekily asked: “Where were you on our [sic] about November 25, 2016?”</p> <p>The post went on to reveal that the KISS was playing on the radio when the calf was conceived.</p> <p>The photo was also shared on the official KISS <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KISS/?fref=mentions" target="_blank">Facebook</a></strong></span> page, which left fans highly amused.</p> <p>Even Simmons himself responded, tweeting about the look-a-like cow and exclaiming, “This is real, folks!!!”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">This is real, folks!!! Calf called Genie is born on Texas ranch and looks EXACTLY like Kiss rocker Gene Simmons <a href="https://t.co/m6CcUlA7cy">https://t.co/m6CcUlA7cy</a></p> — Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) <a href="https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/891836678192549889">July 31, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>Hill Country Visitor said that the “love child” of a Holstein cow and Simmons has saved it from the slaughterhouse. </p> <p>“Obviously, we can't serve this fine specimen,” tourism officials said in their Facebook post. “We may just keep Genie as we call her, as a Mascot for the Steakhouse.”</p>

Music

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Richard Simmons rushed to hospital

<p>After four years away from the public eye, 1980s fitness guru Richard Simmons’ location has finally been confirmed. According to a statement from the 68-year-old’s representative Michael Catalano, Simmons “was hospitalised on Monday at an undisclosed location in California”.</p> <p>“After a few days of battling severe indigestion and discomfort while eating, we agreed it was best for him to seek treatment,” Catalano revealed. “[He’s] already feeling better and is expected to make a full recovery.”</p> <p>Despite stepping away from the spotlight back in 2013, the health and fitness icon’s whereabouts only became a subject of intense scrutiny over the past few months after the release of investigative podcast Missing Richard Simmons. Theories surrounding his disappearance included speculation he was being held captive in his Hollywood Hills home by his housekeeper Teresa Reveles, while others postulated he was transitioning into a female.</p> <p>Simmons himself seemed to quash theories last year, calling into the US <em>TODAY</em> show to reassure his fans. “No one is holding me in my house as a hostage,” he confirmed. “You know, I do what I want to do as I’ve always done, so people should sort of just believe what I have to say because, like, I’m Richard Simmons!</p> <p>“Right now, I just sort of want to take care of me. I just really don’t want to do anything. I don’t want to be traveling anymore... it’s taken a toll on me.”</p> <p>We wish Simmons all the best in his recovery.</p>

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Amusing nicknames grandkids call grandparents

<p><em><strong>Pat Simmons, 69, is a writer of poems, short stories, flash fiction and articles. Her work has been published in anthologies and children’s magazines and she has won writer competitions in Australia and the UK.</strong></em></p> <p>My grandson calls me Patty Arbart. It’s difficult to explain why but I’ll try. He and I used to watch a children’s program on television called <em>Mr. Maker</em>. <em>Mr. Maker</em> shows children how to make a variety of arty, crafty stuff and although Lewis couldn’t walk or say very much as he was only a year old, he really enjoyed this show, except for the part when a large, yellow puppet bird would pop out of a clock and screech phrases like “Only just” or “In a Minute.” Lewis was really scared of this noisy bird so I used to make fun of it by mimicking it. This amused him and he would try to copy me. “Only Just” somehow became “Arbart” and he started calling me “Arbart”. Then one day his mum suggested that they visit “Arbart”. His speech was, by now, developing rapidly. He looked at his mum and corrected her. “Patty Arbart,” he said. And the rest, as they say, is history.</p> <p>I find this amusing so I asked friends and family via Facebook what their grandchildren call them, or what they call their grandparents.</p> <p>Here are some of the results and I’d love to hear from readers of this article as I’m sure there are some gems out there.</p> <ul> <li>Suzanne: Nana Cake because I baked cakes for all my grandchildren and their other Nana was Nana Chook because she kept chooks. Suzanne added that now they all have less sugar in their diets, she and her husband are now Nana Sue and Poppy Bob.</li> <li>Ann: She and her husband are Bummer and Bumper.</li> <li>Kylie: Mum’s mum lived in Tempe, NSW and was on the train line for some years. It didn’t matter where she lived after that, she was always Nana Choot Choot.</li> <li>Danika: My girls call my parents Omi and Opi (German). This is easier than having two grandmas and grandpas. (Nobody wanted to be Nana and Pop).</li> <li>Simone: A friend calls her grandmother Nanma – didn’t like Nanny, wanted something different.</li> <li>Elizabeth: G’ma and G’pa – this abbreviation was always written on cards and gifts by these lovely grandparents so grandchildren used the abbreviation.</li> <li>Annie: Called her grandfather Gang Gang as she couldn’t say Grandad. How Australian is that?</li> </ul> <p>I really liked the fact that many others call, or are called by their first name: e.g. Nanny Helen, Papa Pete etc. First names are important.</p> <p>So, what other names are out there? I’d love to know. Share in the comments below.</p> <p><em>If you have a story to share please get in touch at <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="mailto:melody@oversixty.com.au" target="_blank">melody@oversixty.com.au</a></span></strong>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/07/reflections-on-grandparenthood-from-a-new-grandparent/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">My Tuesdays with Lewis: reflections from a new grandparent</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/sibling-rivalries-in-my-childhood-shaped-who-i-am-today/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sibling rivalries in my childhood shaped who I am today</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/08/tips-to-preserve-your-family-history/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">4 tips to preserve your family history</span></strong></em></a></p>

Family & Pets

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My Tuesdays with Lewis: reflections from a new grandparent

<p><strong><em>Pat Simmons, 69, is a writer of poems, short stories, flash fiction and articles. Her work has been published in anthologies and children’s magazines and she has won writer competitions in Australia and the UK.</em></strong></p> <p>I’m not one of those people who always dreamed of having grandchildren. I used to think that it might be quite nice, but then I’d see these weary, harassed looking people in shopping centres and on the buses saying things like:</p> <p>“I’ve got them three days a week now.”</p> <p>“Me too and there’s another one on the way.”</p> <p>“Lovely having grandchildren though, isn’t it?”</p> <p>‘Oh yes,” they’d sigh, as they struggled with shopping bags, strollers and wriggling toddlers.</p> <p>It made me wonder whether grandparenthood was all it’s cracked up to be.</p> <p>Then, in August 2014, Lewis was born. No longer working full-time and having moved to the beautiful south coast of NSW where my daughter and son-in-law were living, I was able to visit them regularly and babysit for a few hours here and there. And, of course, Lewis was, and is, adorable and far superior to anyone else’s grandchild. (In my eyes anyway!)</p> <p>Now he’s eighteen months old and both his parents, like most parents of young children these days, need to work. Lewis attends Family Day Care on Mondays and Thursdays and he spends Tuesdays with me.</p> <p><img width="252" height="336" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/23694/pat-simmons-lewis_252x336.jpg" alt="PAT SIMMONS LEWIS" style="float: right;"/>I must confess that I was pretty nervous on that first Tuesday. He’s an active little guy and, like any eighteen month old, he needs constant supervision. And me? Well, I’m in good health but will be seventy this year and seriously wondered whether I’d be able to cope.</p> <p>What would we do all day? Would he be bored? Would I be bored?</p> <p>It’s a strange thing how your confidence begins to diminish when you retire from full time work. I had to give myself a good “talking to”. Come on, I said to the nervous me. You’ve worked in Children’s Services for twenty years. You have adegree, you’ve studied child development.You have a grown-up son and daughter for goodness sake.</p> <p>The first Tuesday with Lewis went well. I enjoyed our day and I’m pretty sure he did too.</p> <p>“What did you do?” asked my daughter.</p> <p>“Well, we played and… and… stuff.”</p> <p>“How long did he sleep for?”</p> <p>“Two hours,” I said proudly. (I knew the answer to that one.)</p> <p>“Did he eat all his lunch?”</p> <p>“Yes,” I said, failing to mention that my two dogs sat under the highchair waiting patiently for food to be dropped. And it was. The dogs enjoyed their chicken and mashed potato.</p> <p>Reflecting on my first Tuesday with Lewis that same evening, I made some notes about our day together:</p> <ul> <li>We played with the water table, filling it, emptying it, floating toys in it.</li> <li>We blew bubbles. (Those $1.00 bubble wands are great).</li> <li>Lewis found a torch and played with it for ages, shining its beam on the walls and ceiling.</li> <li>Lewis spent lots of time fiddling with the television remotes and my phone.</li> <li>I taught him a little song.</li> <li>He chased the cats, tolerated the dogs and helped feed the guinea pigs.</li> <li>He ate and slept.</li> <li>And we both laughed a lot.</li> </ul> <p>Every Tuesday evening now I write down what we did during the day and reflect on what a joy the day has been and how incredibly lucky I am to have this little boy in my life.</p> <p>Is grandparenthood all it’s cracked up to be? At this moment in time, most definitely.</p> <p><strong><em>If you have a story to share please get in touch at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="mailto:melody@oversixty.com.au" target="_blank">melody@oversixty.com.au</a></span>.</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/having-a-sibling-makes-boys-selfless/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Having a sibling makes boys selfless</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/sibling-rivalries-in-my-childhood-shaped-who-i-am-today/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sibling rivalries in my childhood shaped who I am today</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/05/kids-are-the-worst-instagram/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">In pictures: Kids behaving badly</span></em></strong></a></p>

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