Crone – Wise Woman or Wizened Witch?

by gail

Well maybe the term witch is a little dramatic, however, as a young woman the term “crone” was definitely not something I was aspiring to. I obviously had to “grow up” and move into a place of appreciation to be able to adjust my attitude.

My first turn around on the term was when I finished my “bleeding time” at the age of 55, I was very ceremoniously welcomed into the “crone hood” of my older friends. Stories, laughing, completions, beginnings – an entirely new awareness of the honor of the crone time. I liked it!

Jean Shinoda Bolen, who most of you remember in her great book “Goddesses in Everywomen”, also wrote “Crones Don’t Whine, Concentrated Wisdom for Juicy Women”. What a great title and a fun read.

In her first chapter “A New Perspective on the “Crone” Word”, Jean says that “it is time to reclaim and redefine “crone” from the word pile of disparaging names to call older women, and to make becoming a “crone” a crowning inner achievement of the third phase of life. I say YES to that!

{ 0 comments }

Sexually Satisfied over 70?

by gail

I read an article recently about a women in her mid seventies having a conversation with a girl friend who was 10 years her junior about the joys of love making.

The elder of the two said it never occurred to her that women would receive pleasure from love making.
It was always about her male partner’s satisfaction, doing everything to be sure he was adequately pleasured.

I’m thinking this may be a cultural norm of that age group. Could this be so? I welcome your comments.

I am mid sixties and have known the union should be and could be mutually satisfying.

Ladies, regardless of your age, sexual pleasure is your birthright! Enjoy……..

{ 0 comments }

Chronological Racism?

by gail

This was a phrase I picked up from Nancy Perry Graham, the editor of the Jan/Feb 2010 AARP bulletin.

Nancy and her AARP editor friends attended a Bruce Springsteen concert wearing AARP T-shirts. She was approached by a women who asked “why would you want anyone to know you are old?”

The catch? This inquisitive women was over 60 herself. Nancy asks, “Why is age the last acceptable bias in this country?”

Why? – could it be because there are not enough women of “age” standing tall and “wearing” our so-called T-shirts? Join the tribe of women aging proudly. Opt in on the right and leave your comments below.

{ 0 comments }

Good Java and Thou

by gail

Good morning girlfriends. Nothing like a good cup of brew and making a day happen.

{ 2 comments }

Girlfriends Dying

by gail

Roni is on the Right

Roni is on the Right

I met Roni in the late 80’s.  We immediately became outdoor buddies – hiking, camping, trail building, xctry skiing, anything we could do in the mountains of Colorado.

About two years ago, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  Not a good diagnosis to have.  Up until that time she was healthy.  I don’t remember her ever having a cold or any kind of sickness.

Roni was a  NYC Jewish girl (need I say more?) and I was a  waspy New Jersey girl coming together as friends in Boulder, Colorado.  Put the two together and you have one funny duo.  Only east coast people can imagine the hilarious, gut wrenching laughing times we had.

What I miss the most, besides the 20 some odd years of mountain adventures and the fact that she was my best friend, is the laughter.  All those years and years of laughing, we would just collapse from under ourselves and fall to the ground.  There is nothing like east coast humor and if you are or were an eastie, you know what I am talking about.

Tanya, her dearest best friend, and I were blessed to be with Roni as she left her physical body.  We told her we loved her over and over, that she could let go, that her friends would love and laugh with her forever.

She was 58 years old.  As we age we begin to lose those we love – our parents, siblings, pets, sometimes those younger than ourselves.

Let’s live every day as fully as possible, in deep gratitude for the lives we have.  There is no guarantee when we will leave our bodies, but do whatever we can to age young – physically, spiritually and in a healthy way.  And love our best friends.

{ 1 comment }

Menopause In Las Vegas

by gail

While having Thanksgiving with the family in Las Vegas (I have a son who lives there), we attended “Menopause – the Musical.”

Considering the intention of Women Aging Young and my desire to shift the anti-aging paradigm, the first part of the show was all about what a drag it was to age. Was I going to be able to sit and listen to exactly what I am attempting to change?

I was glad I stuck it out. As the 4 female vocalists began to belt out songs of hot flashes, body changes, hormones and libido, and the discovery of their battery driven best friends, the show took a turn for all that Women Aging Young represents. What a hoot it is too age, what a freeing experience, what a fun and creative time this is. The audience, both men and women, including myself, was howling with laughter.

At the end of the musical I jumped on stage with other “women over 50″ and we closed the show with a rocking hilarious song “I’ve changed! Menopause”. If you get to Las Vegas, be sure to see that show.

Check out the video of me on stage, 2nd from left.

{ 1 comment }

Aging – What Do You Really Think About It?

by gail

As part of building the “tribe” of happily aging women, I’ve put together a short 2-3 minute survey and would appreciate your added comments.

What is really on your mind as you age? What are your concerns, your challenges – what do you think about when you have that moment in time when you realize you are XX years old now and your life has past the 50 year mark?

Opt-in for the survey and help build the tribe of proud aging women.

{ 1 comment }

Anti-Aging – Are You Buying In?

by gail

So the question is: What is going on in your mind as you age? Are you buying in to the tuck it, lift it, fill it, pad it marketing hype? Who told us that it isn’t okay to age? Why have we been hearing that since the beginning of time? Why are conversations, books and current belief centered around anti-aging, especially in relation to women?

Okay, enough of this nae saying – point made? You can see I am peeved, actually insulted.

Women Aging Young is about shifting that energy, shifting the belief. Tips, tools, stories, recommended products all in support of healthy, vibrant and joyful aging. This blog is about women gathering together who feel, or want to feel and believe deep down, that it is an honor to age; to age proudly, gracefully and with vibrant energetic health.

{ 0 comments }