When I'm Sixty-Four by Alison Henderson

I'm sure you remember the old Beatles song, When I'm Sixty-Four. When that song was released, sixty-four seemed like a long way off for most of us. Well, it's much closer for me now. In fact, it's tomorrow.

I don't know how I managed to get so old in such a short time, but rather than bemoan it, I've decided to own it. Thanks to good genes, excellent make-up, and a top-notch hairdresser, I don't think most people would guess my true age upon meeting me. The very best part of turning sixty-four is that it's only one more year until sixty-five and MEDICARE! Let me tell you, as someone who has to pay $1,438 a month for bare-bones health insurance, Medicare is the shining light upon the hill.

Another good thing about turning sixty-four is I don't really need, or want, much of anything. OG is taking me out to dinner at my favorite restaurant, and that's about it. I did, however, give myself a present this year that I thought I'd share with you.

You may remember how much I love fairy gardens. Every year I build two new ones for my garden club's silent auction fundraiser. I also have my own, but after several years, it had grown tired-looking. For my birthday, I decided to replant it. OG also refurbished all the accessories that had been bleached nearly white in our strong sun.

Here's the planter before I started. It's really cute--looks like an old wicker suitcase.

Here are the plants in place. The little tree is a Monterey Cypress seedling from my yard. I'm going to try bonsai with it.

And here is the finished product. Isn't it cute? If I take care of it, I should get several years of pleasure before I have to start over again.

Alison
https://www.alisonhenderson.com 

The Great Underwear Conundrum by Alison Henderson

Tomorrow is my sixty-third birthday, and I'm in a quandary. My underwear has disappeared. 

Well, not the underwear in my drawer, but the nice, new, fresh underwear I was getting ready to buy.

I recently went to the store to stock up, only to discover that the manufacturer has discontinued the brand, style, and size I've worn my entire adult life. I can't even buy it on the Internet! What were they thinking? After more than forty years, I have to try something new. I'm traumatized, and so is OG. He's never seen me in anything else and is pretty pouty about the whole situation.

What I loved most about my underwear was the wide elastic lace around the top. It was tight enough to keep them up but gentle enough not to create a bulge. That wasn't as much of an issue in my twenties. However, over the past forty years, pregnancy and age have softened everything up, and no amount of exercise will bring that lost collagen back. Some of you may be able to relate.

So, I'm grudgingly dipping my toe into the murky waters of change. I bought one pair each in two different styles to try. Both boldly claimed their wide elastic bands were designed to eliminate "muffin top." My impression after trying them? They might eliminate that familiar bulge in a sixteen-year-old model or an Olympic athlete, but in a reasonably fit sixty-two-year-old? Not a chance. I'll have to keep looking. Grrr.

Who has underwear they like? Raise your hand. I'm open to suggestions. Just bear in mind, thongs or commando are NOT viable options.

Alison
www.alisonhenderson.com 

Milestones and Milepebbles by Donna Michaels

Yesterday was my 50^th birthday, and yes, that was a milestone, but it’s the milepebbles that have occurred during my 50 years of life that stick in my mind. You know, the kind you don't expect, but mean the world?

I’ve been blessed in my career, hitting the NYT and USA Today lists, not once, but twice. Being nominated, then winning three awards. Meeting my idol, Jill Shalvis. Such wonderful career milestones I’ll never forget, but they don’t compare to my career milepebbles. The emails and letters I receive from readers who took the time to tell me how much they enjoy my books, and thank me for giving them an escape from some heartbreaking issues. Wonderful reviews in the same vein. Those pebbles…they are the ones I treasure so much!

Milestones in my personal life, like marrying my childhood sweetheart, having four wonderful children, the wedding of my oldest son, I hold them all dear. But I also treasure the hug I received from one of my boys when he was 11, without me initiating it. Every, ‘I Love You, Mom,’ I get from my children right out of the blue. My daughter calling me from college just to chat. The flowers one of the boys sent me yesterday for my birthday. The purr of the scardy cat that jumped on my lap without prompting. All are out of the blue moments that touch deep and imprint forever.

Milestones are fantastic, but those milepebbles? Those are priceless!

I wish each and everyone of you a life full of milepebbles! I'd love to hear yours.

Thanks for reading,

~Donna

www.donnamichaelsauthor.com

Things I've Learned Along the Way

Today is my sixty-fifth birthday. How can this be when I'm so young? Or so I keep asking myself. Calvin, on the other hand, just smirks and says, "It's been a long time coming, angel." Yeah, like sixty-five years! Golly, just saying it makes my eyeballs twitch. I retired when we married ten years ago, so this birthday milestone does not carry with it the typical yay me, I get to retire hoopla. Although I am a proud carrier of a Medicare card. And when I announced to my doctor during my visit last week that he was getting my virgin Medicare card, the young man blushed. "I just love you and Calvin. I'm telling you, I've got no patients like the two of you."

That was a compliment. Right?

So what have I learned along the way to this milestone? I've learned to love more and judge less. I've learned to embrace the future and cherish the past. I've learned the smartest people are little children. They see the wonders of the world through eyes filled with possibilities instead of boxing things in with jaded expectations. Take a dandelion, for example. A child looks upon it as a thing of beauty and magic. Blow on it and watch what happens. Adults look at the same flower and think weeds.

 

Most importantly I've learned the value of dreams. The ultimate fulfillment one experiences when he or she completes every step toward the attainment of that dream or goal. For me, it was writing and being published. For others, it is getting a college degree or playing professional sports or mastering a musical instrument or dance. All require sacrifice and hard work. All strengthen our souls and enrich our lives.

 

One of my favorite poets is Langston Hughes. I'd like to share his poem regarding dreams:

 

Dreams by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.