funny and not so funny

 I put off watching Man on the Inside because I thought it would be filled with "ageist humor" but the grand daughter, Samantha, said to give it a try and I did. Yay, I like it and because it is set in SF I see all sorts of familiar places. I have friends in assisted living and memory care and usually it is no laughing matter, but these old people are more than fine. Ted Danson is a delight and yes, I recommend this series which was just renewed by the Flix®.

A new old friend

 Meet Lee who is pictured here celebrating her recent 95th birthday. I met her through the new book club and yes, we all need this kind of inspiration as we age. Lee is amazing and vibrant and last night we went to the Magic Theatre where they were doing a reading of one of her plays, this one entitled Country Matters. A comedy and a really fun evening. At 95 I think we can think of Lee as a Super Ager, but to me she is a super new friend.

two poems about aging

Yes, I'm still going through stacks of papers and tossing a lot of stuff.
More love notes from Husbando and a lot of poetry that I had stashed
in strange places. I do a little clean-up at a time, saving goodies like this.

How To Be Old 

It is easy to be young, (Everybody is,
at first.) It is not easy
to be old. It takes time.
Youth is given; age is achieved.
One must work a magic to mix with time
in order to become old.

Youth is given. One must put it away
like a doll in a closet,
take it out and play with it only 
on holidays. One must have many dresses
and dress the doll impeccably
(but not to show the doll, to keep it hidden.)

It is necessary to adore the doll,
to remember it in the dark on the ordinary
days, and every day congratulate
one's aging face in the mirror.

In time one will be very old.
In time, one's life will be accomplished.
And in time, in time, the doll–
like new, though ancient–will be found.

~ May Swenson

I wrote this one back in the early 70's when I was
newly married ~ working at the Emporium as a
copywriter. The days before the iPhone, and yet...

TO THE LITTLE OLD LADIES AT
THE EMPORIUM CAFE COUNTER

You're alone
at the counter
twisting your wedding ring
and staring into space.
You bundle up 
against the world
and order the same thing
every day
is the same
at the counter.
You're gentle,
you're brave and
I cry for you
at the counter.

~ Mary Ann Stein 

so many saints...

...so many "issues". A friend gave me this pretty St. Dymphna chip, not
because I'm mentally ill (usually not, anyway), but to help with the
inevitable memory loss that occasionally (ahem) accompanies the lovely
aging process. Of course I forgot and almost left her in my jeans for Husbando
to launder, but St. D. came to the rescue and I remembered just in time.
Already I love this little gal who wants me to be pure in mind and soul.

girl friend reunion stories

A group of 15-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Dairy Queen next to the Ocean View restaurant because they had only $6.00 among them and Jimmy Johnson, the cute boy in Social Studies, lived on that street. 10 years later, the group of 25-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the beer was cheap, the restaurant offered free snacks, the band was good, there was no cover and there were lots of cute guys. 10 years later, the group of 35-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the cosmos were good, it was right near the gym and, if they went late enough, there wouldn't be too many whiny little kids. 10 years later, the group of 45-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the martinis were big and the waiters had tight pants and nice buns. 10 years later, the group of 55-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the prices were reasonable, the wine list was good, the restaurant had windows that opened (in case of hot flashes), and fish is good for cholesterol. 10 years later, the group of 65-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the lighting was good and the restaurant had an early bird special. 10 years later, the group of 75-years-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food was not too spicy and the restaurant was handicapped-accessible. 10 years later, the group of 85-years-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they had never been there before. (this is from a friend's email ~ usually I hate all these ageist jokes, but this made me smile)