One of the pitfalls of Crone life can be falling into the nostalgia pit. You know what I’m talking about. Everything was great when I was younger, and now (insert) isn’t what it used to be. Or, those darned kids don’t know what they’re missing. Back in my day….I’m not beyond nostalgia, but it’s important for women intent on following an adventurous old age to not always pine for youth as an ideal default. It’s contrary to mission.
Every day should be something you look forward to, and age should not set your parameters, lest you find yourself walking out of a bar Bruce Springsteen is walking into, and you want to go back inside to have a few drinks. For that matter, lest you find yourself on the interior side of a Bob Seger song (*shudder*).
With that in mind, here are some new things I’ve embraced that are brand new to me, because shaking it up is good. In no particular order
Weight lifting: Bryon and I started going to the gym in October of 2017. I avoided it forever, but wonder why. It’s made me stronger, leaner, and more empowered. Believe it or not, at the YMCA, I am right in the middle of the age range.
Faerie lights: I remodeled our solarium last year into a dedicated writing space and installed all sorts of Goblin Market decor. I find myself aesthetically pleased and relaxed when I glance up from my desk and look at the tiny beads of light dancing in front of the lace blinds.
Cars that say welcome: Believe it or not, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra welcomes me to my car by actually writing the word “welcome” on my screen when I press the button that starts my car. Who says automotive chivalry is dead?
Duolingo: In spite of my bitter defeat from last weekend, and not moving forward to the new mystery level, I love the gamification of learning language. I am spending time each day reviewing Japanese and French, and learning Portuguese, Chinese, and Arabic a little bit at a time. Go on, ask me how to say “an amazing fish” in Arabic. (Samak mumtaz)
The Homedics sound generator: An impulse buy on the way out from Bath and Body works while buying new sheets, this little silver gadget will be ideal for hotel rooms when you want to fall asleep to the rumble of thunder or the babbling of a brook, but you’re in the middle of Boise in a hotel with children running up and down the hall.
Besame Cosmetics: A vintage cosmetic company that works hard on recreating the make up of decades past, I’ve started buying pieces from their Disney collection. I own the Snow White palette, the Sleeping Beauty palette, more Peggy Carter lipstick than the average woman should have, and I’m thinking of getting the pink turns blue lipstick, which I regret not purchasing last week. The make up is beautiful and beautifully packaged.
Robert Durling’s Translation of The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri: Since I’m setting my third Klaereon novel in the Inferno, I needed to do some research and Danielle deLisle from my horror writing group is a Dante scholar. She recommended these volumes and they are awesome. If you like writhing, bodily fluids, and Vergil. So far. I have plans to read the other two parts later.
Masks The Roleplaying Game: I have always been an avid role player. Nothing says community theater like hanging out with a bunch of your friends pretending to be someone else, somewhere else. I run a big group game once every couple of months, but recently I’ve been switching running a game with Bryon for a couple of close friends we’ve been gaming with since 1993. This is a game about teenage superhero sidekicks with a very easy system. Since I’m playing with three amazing role players I’ve known for 26 years, it’s a sublime and transporting experience.
Ito-En Matcha Green Tea: Yes, I’ve had matcha before, but I bought some home with me from Mitsuwa plaza on our end of summer break out of jail field trip, and I’m loving the bitter taste right now as I work on this very column.
TeaTime Bubble Tea: In the campus town of Iowa State University in Ames, there is an adorable little store that sells all kinds of bubble tea and Asian snacks like a teashop. Bryon and I wandered in when we were exploring campus one rainy day in February, waiting to hook up with an old friend. As good as the treats are, I adore the mascot on their cups, a tiger sipping at a bubble tea through a giant straw. The tiger looks like I feel as I drink one of their teas. Delicious! And I am going to get a tshirt made of the happy tiger.
These are, most of them, small pleasures, but life is full of small pleasures that improve its quality. They are also new experiences that transport me into the wondrous journey of being alive. Even though that sounds corny, after mortality poked me in the ribs with its elbow this summer, I get to say stuff like that.
Get out there! Keep a list! Let me know what else I should be trying.