Arnica cream has always worked wonders for me - when I bump myself or fall. Liberal application reduces pain and bruising like magic. And if the tumble is traumatic (such as yours in Japan), I also take the pellets. Homeopathy is amazing.
I'm always hunting for role models who age with minimal intervention--I'm grateful for these suggestions! I also appreciate why being deliberate with your wrinkled clothes is extra important as your face softens. I see why--with both cotton AND skin--it's powerful only if we look like we're making a choice. On the one hand, it's disappointing that our worth only comes from presenting ourselves artfully (however artful looks). On the other hand, there's nothing braver than a woman who wears her age with joy. If an un-ironed shirt (or face) is the way to do it, then... let's do it!
Feb 4, 2023·edited Feb 4, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe
You reminded me of a memory of a former apartment mate (who was in her late-20s, I believe) telling me how I "didn't have ANY wrinkles," which utterly baffled me because I was, guess what, 29 years old. Why would I have wrinkles at 29? Yet, I think she was comparing herself to me and that she actually did have some crinkles around her eyes (which I really never noticed and it's due to smiling, right?). And this was 30 years ago! It's a little sad to me that we're still so focused on the look of our skin vs. the health of our skin.
Thank you for sharing all the sweet, funny and insightful comments by your granddaughter. I have nieces who are now 18 and 21 years old but loved posting their funny comments on Facebook. Once my niece who was perhaps 8 at the time said, "I'm hungry for words!" Ever since she was little she wrote stories, plays and poems so these words really were indicative of her love of words.
If you’re into stylish older people on Instagram, may I suggest the #sewover50 hashtag-- women over 50 modeling their handmade clothes. I love being a part of the sewing community, which is very focused on self acceptance at any age. Also @advancedstyle is a great account!
I have a thing about shabby shoes on a woman, particularly when the shoes are supposed to be dressy or stylish somehow. I don't like seeing women whose shoes need new taps or the leather on the stiletto needs touching up because it's gotten scarred or ripped. I don't think I judge such women so much as think that it's sad that they haven't noticed that their shoes are scruffy.
It makes me wonder what about their lives makes them have to pay so much attention to everything else that they aren't aware that their shoes are decrepit. Or, if they don't care, then it would be that I feel sad they don't care...are they giving up hope?
But, because there is perhaps ultimately no logic to any of this, and it's a hold-over from hierarchy's infiltration of how my brain orders what matters... comfy shoes that are scuffed up make me happy. I feel as though the woman wearing them obviously is at ease with herself, and her shoes reflect that.
Love this post, Val! As you know, I’ve had my share of trips, stumbles and falls starting long before I entered my senior years. LOL!
As for the advice “watch where you’re going,” I had to laugh. Several years ago, on the way to a celebratory lunch at Benoit with my colleagues, I was paying attention to the lively conversation and not to where I was going. So I didn’t see the short sidewalk barrier a construction team had left in my path. Splat! I fell flat on my face (and both kneecaps), glasses flying. Nothing was broken, except my glasses, and, temporarily, my pride.
The bruise on my right cheekbone healed, but to this day I still have a small purple pool of broken capillaries next to my left kneecap. And I wonder whether the inflammation that resulted from
the trauma of my fall contributed to the arthritis I have in my knees. Along with a lifetime of wear and tear.
Back to HW’s sage advice to “prevent future damage.” Balancing exercises, like alternating standing on one leg 10-30 seconds at a time, also help to keep you upright.
Last, as someone very wise once said, “Falling down is part of life. Getting back up is living.” And I’m sure M got over her “SHOCK”’by quickly getting back up, and that her debut piano recital must have been simply amazing!
Hope it was all up from there for your granddaughter at her recital—just love her take. Easily related to this whole article. Recently took not one, but two tumbles and reflected that I need to pay much better attention, too. Also, happened to look down at my arm one day to see what looked like a maroon slug! Best guess is a blood blister of unknown origin that is naturally resolving over time. Seriously, aging isn’t for the faint hearted. Take care and watch your step, Val.
Thank you for including me and my wrinkles 😍. Loved this post!!!
Arnica cream has always worked wonders for me - when I bump myself or fall. Liberal application reduces pain and bruising like magic. And if the tumble is traumatic (such as yours in Japan), I also take the pellets. Homeopathy is amazing.
I recommend topical arnica ointment, gel, or cream (depending on your preferred texture) for bruising. Plastic surgeons recommend it was well.
Love your column. "...it's the DNA version of BLEAK HOUSE " made me laugh out loud.
I'm always hunting for role models who age with minimal intervention--I'm grateful for these suggestions! I also appreciate why being deliberate with your wrinkled clothes is extra important as your face softens. I see why--with both cotton AND skin--it's powerful only if we look like we're making a choice. On the one hand, it's disappointing that our worth only comes from presenting ourselves artfully (however artful looks). On the other hand, there's nothing braver than a woman who wears her age with joy. If an un-ironed shirt (or face) is the way to do it, then... let's do it!
You reminded me of a memory of a former apartment mate (who was in her late-20s, I believe) telling me how I "didn't have ANY wrinkles," which utterly baffled me because I was, guess what, 29 years old. Why would I have wrinkles at 29? Yet, I think she was comparing herself to me and that she actually did have some crinkles around her eyes (which I really never noticed and it's due to smiling, right?). And this was 30 years ago! It's a little sad to me that we're still so focused on the look of our skin vs. the health of our skin.
Thank you for sharing all the sweet, funny and insightful comments by your granddaughter. I have nieces who are now 18 and 21 years old but loved posting their funny comments on Facebook. Once my niece who was perhaps 8 at the time said, "I'm hungry for words!" Ever since she was little she wrote stories, plays and poems so these words really were indicative of her love of words.
If you’re into stylish older people on Instagram, may I suggest the #sewover50 hashtag-- women over 50 modeling their handmade clothes. I love being a part of the sewing community, which is very focused on self acceptance at any age. Also @advancedstyle is a great account!
I have a thing about shabby shoes on a woman, particularly when the shoes are supposed to be dressy or stylish somehow. I don't like seeing women whose shoes need new taps or the leather on the stiletto needs touching up because it's gotten scarred or ripped. I don't think I judge such women so much as think that it's sad that they haven't noticed that their shoes are scruffy.
It makes me wonder what about their lives makes them have to pay so much attention to everything else that they aren't aware that their shoes are decrepit. Or, if they don't care, then it would be that I feel sad they don't care...are they giving up hope?
But, because there is perhaps ultimately no logic to any of this, and it's a hold-over from hierarchy's infiltration of how my brain orders what matters... comfy shoes that are scuffed up make me happy. I feel as though the woman wearing them obviously is at ease with herself, and her shoes reflect that.
Love this post, Val! As you know, I’ve had my share of trips, stumbles and falls starting long before I entered my senior years. LOL!
As for the advice “watch where you’re going,” I had to laugh. Several years ago, on the way to a celebratory lunch at Benoit with my colleagues, I was paying attention to the lively conversation and not to where I was going. So I didn’t see the short sidewalk barrier a construction team had left in my path. Splat! I fell flat on my face (and both kneecaps), glasses flying. Nothing was broken, except my glasses, and, temporarily, my pride.
The bruise on my right cheekbone healed, but to this day I still have a small purple pool of broken capillaries next to my left kneecap. And I wonder whether the inflammation that resulted from
the trauma of my fall contributed to the arthritis I have in my knees. Along with a lifetime of wear and tear.
Back to HW’s sage advice to “prevent future damage.” Balancing exercises, like alternating standing on one leg 10-30 seconds at a time, also help to keep you upright.
Last, as someone very wise once said, “Falling down is part of life. Getting back up is living.” And I’m sure M got over her “SHOCK”’by quickly getting back up, and that her debut piano recital must have been simply amazing!
Hope it was all up from there for your granddaughter at her recital—just love her take. Easily related to this whole article. Recently took not one, but two tumbles and reflected that I need to pay much better attention, too. Also, happened to look down at my arm one day to see what looked like a maroon slug! Best guess is a blood blister of unknown origin that is naturally resolving over time. Seriously, aging isn’t for the faint hearted. Take care and watch your step, Val.