Humor is the best medicine even when the malady in question is aging. Birthdays, generally a cause for celebration of the dumb luck of our existence, now act as rude reminders of the finitude of it all. My own birthday arrives early in the year just to remind me that I need to shape up. Resolutions are demanded even as the mirror and the body bring reminders of ruination leading to much rumination. With my vain struggles, aka struggles in vain, I simply turn to poetry :-)
Damn, girl!
a white eyelash has sprouted
much to my vain horror
mascara to the rescue
to fake a youthful aurahair color has been my friend
to hide so much that's now gray
wrinkles, sagging skin, even beards, i am told
will eventually have their wayoften i laugh out loud
when i think about these terrors
happiness is not in question
but what happened to the mirror?this girl's not going gently
will be battling ageing signs
until I am too tired 'coz
this b.s. takes so much time
First written in 2020 the lines above - rather vexingly - rang only more true in 2021. A self-improvement quest ensued, resulting mostly in… more verse!
Step out in the morning to catch that early light
Warm soaks to relax your muscles that get tight
Cold showers are the thing to renew your mood
Wine is still alcohol, once declared to be good
Most of it now declared poison, plus too many carbs
Please just order water, even at a bar
Too much of that plain water can also be an issue!
So add electrolytes, minerals, vitamins for a daily rescue
Those drinks with all those goodies have way too much sugar
You lost weight? So what? Your muscle mass is poorer
Coffee is good for you they told us recently
Avoid the coffee honey so you sleep soundly
Hike outdoors, connect with nature, find solace in the garden
Watch out for mountain lions, lyme-y ticks, sun and dehydration !!
Dentist: Be sure to diligently floss every day
Every day, every tooth, few minutes you can spare
Boys n Gals at the gym: Strength training is the real game
Pull some weight, get strong, aerobic work maybe bit passè
Yoga guru: The best hour you will spend in a day
Stretch and strengthen, get ready to meditate
Oh Meditation app! Darn! I almost forgot
10 minutes mindfulness to banish all thought
Massage therapist: Stretch daily please
5 minutes EACH MUSCLE, gently with ease!
Spa lady: Darling! Do consider botox, ahem!
Seriously, do you even follow a nighttime regimen?!!
Reena
I remain earnest about self improvement — if a tad confused! Anyone else?
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Looking back
Following my last post The Postman I came upon this lovely story you might enjoy. And check out this beautiful song, ostensibly about nostalgia for a neighborhood lost to gentrification but perhaps much more.
The post also resonated with many of you and I was overwhelmed with gratitude by your generous sharing of your own nostalgia:
“I would often times wait a few hours to open the envelope and enjoy the moments of joy that I have a received a letter and there is something exciting to read in there! And then of course read the letter over and over again. What a joy was the snail mail!” - SM
“…The joy of pouring out your feelings on paper as well as receiving a.letter from your loved ones is a different experience altogether…” - CG
“Your consideration of all things postal warmed me and resurfaced the memories of the blue tissue paper international letters marked Par Avion— an always treasured source of excitement…” - RS
One reader even sent a photo of a real, paper connection made with their mailman!
A BIG Thank you to each of you who wrote!!
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With joy
Mirth and melancholia seem to arrive as a package, much like birth and death. And this first month of the year brings with it a sweet remembrance for our dog Moxie, full of moxie who was born and also passed in January. She is never far from our hearts having tended a great warmth there. I wrote this for her after her passing last year. Whenever you get the chance, do show a doggie some love in honor of my Moxie.
Go beyond superficial and vai attributes
Reena dear,
I so relate.
The mirror, I have come to hate.
All those little lines,
somehow coming to define,
a self I thought I would never be,
a lady now beyond sixty!
So, I say to this world,
inside I am still a wild girl.
I have earned my wrinkles, drawn from time,
And I shall not begrudge those little lines.
I will be strong, I will be true
And while I may not be young,
I now know how things are done.
Hugs!