Gracefully Aging, Day 11: Charla Krupp's "How Not to Look Old"

Several years ago I was introduced to the book "How Not to Look Old," by Charla Krupp.

This from the New York Times:

"At a moment when many women of a certain age in the United States were debating whether to Botox or not to Botox, the book provided nonsurgical suggestions on how to avoid the appearance of senescence, often delivered as capital-lettered pronouncements like: “NOTHING AGES YOU LIKE ... YELLOW TEETH.”

"The book became a style manual intended for women of all stripes, whether they were sales clerks, homemakers, college professors or venture capitalists. “

""My book is hitting a nerve because I am giving not looking old a spin as if your life depended on it,' Ms. Krupp said in an interview with The Times in 2008.

Sadly, Charla Krupp died of breast cancer in 2012, at the age of 58. But her book remains as a guide to some very practical, nonsurgical ways to keep from aging yourself.

In the book, Charla's pretty opinionated about some of the wardrobe items she thinks we need to get rid of in our quest for a more youthful appearance, and I can't say I agree with her on every point...but here's the list:

Holiday sweaters with bells and appliqués (reindeers, teddy bears, bumblebees, pumpkins).
Granny necklaces that tell how many grandchildren you have.
Souvenir T-shirts.
T-shirts with meant-to-be funny sayings.
Acid-washed jeans.
Ripped jeans.
Shoulder pads.
Flannel shirts.
Muumuus. (**Does this really need to be stated?)
Photo handbags (the older you get, the more sophisticated your accessories should be).
Flesh-colored hose.
Penny loafers.
Oversize blazers.
Mommy robes.
Thin gold chain necklaces.
Elastic-waist pants.
Granny undies.
Baggy sweats.
Bearlike, full-length fur coats.
Short shorts.
Cargo pants.
Stockings with reinforced toes.
Three-piece suits with vests.
Backpacks.

Again, I don't agree with her on everything, but it's worth thinking about, isn't it?  I do recommend the book, as Krupp goes into detail about why she's opposed to these things.

Controversy

Interestingly, the book did invite a bit of controversy.  Again quoting the New York Times article:

."Some critics likened the premise to encouraging people to fight prejudice by hiding their ethnicity.

"Ms. Krupp argued, however, that in an era of ubiquitous cellphone cameras, Facebook photo albums and workplace downsizing, camouflaging one’s age was a professional necessity for women.

“'For our generation, looking younger isn’t just about vanity,'” Ms. Krupp wrote. “Looking good is about our personal and financial survival.”

What do you think? Should older women proactively try to appear younger, or should you give up and go with the flow at some point?  Let me know in my comments!

I'm participating in "31 Days: A Writing Challenge,"  in which I 'll be blogging on the subject of Gracefully Aging every day during the month of October.  Click the button below for more information and links to each post as they become available!

Gracefully Aging, Day 10: Hair--The Long and Short of It

Michelle Pfeiffer

Are you 50 and still wearing your hair exactly the same as you did when you were 20? Conversely, have you gone the super-short route because someone told you you couldn't have long hair after a certain age?

Beauty expert Julyne Derrick has some great hair tips for mature women in this article  Among other things, she attacks the myth that long hair is only for the young:

"It is a myth that the moment you turn a certain age (some "experts" say 40, some say 50, some say 55 just to be different) that you have to lop your hair off. There are plenty of women over age 60 who look gorgeous with hair that's to their shoulders or longer...No matter your age, your hairstyle should flatter your face and your figure.


"Long hair on older women can look amazing. The secret to long hair is proper upkeep and a good haircut. Split, frizzy ends on anyone of any age looks bad. Long hair looks best when it's not too heavy on the bottom, creating a 'Christmas tree' shape from behind. A few layers will lighten up your hair and make it appear more modern and healthy.

Consider bangs

Says Derrick, "If you don't have bangs, consider getting them. Long, side-swept bangs such as these can visually take years off your look. They bring attention to your eyes and keep attention off your neckline, which tends to get saggy and wrinkly even on women with the best plastic surgery.

Derrick goes on to say that the most flattering hair for just about anyone is shoulder length hair.  She talks about this at length (no pun intended) here.

Here are some other photos of long, short and medium styles:

Fors myself? I usually vary between a shortish bob to a shoulder-length style.  I prefer my hair medium-length or longer, because I just feel more comfortable with longer hair.

A bob last year (left) and how I'm wearing it now (right)

How are you handling...or do you think you'll handle...the hair question? Long, short, or medium? Any styling suggestions that have worked for you? Let me know in my comments section!

I'm participating in "31 Days: A Writing Challenge,"  in which I 'll be blogging on the subject of Gracefully Aging every day during the month of October.  Click the button below for more information and links to each post as they become available!

Gracefully Aging, Day 9: YouTuber Miss Tammy

Miss Tammy of Uppiesbeads59

A few years ago I was newly unemployed and had plenty of time on my hands.

Searching YouTube for a video on how to use velcro rollers, I discovered the wonderful world of YouTube beauty tutorials.

The only problem was that most of the girls doing the tutorials were young enough to be my daughter!  I continue to learn a lot from them about style and technique, but I really wanted to find someone closer to my own age who could relate to the unique needs of aging skin.


Miss Tammy (or "uppiesbeads59," as her channel is called) fit the bill perfectly.  I think she's a few years younger than I, but she knows all about the things we women-of-a-certain age are going through, and she's all about aging gracefully, beautifully and elegantly.

And as a professional aesthetician, she can give knowledgeable and practical advice.

Not only that, she's funny and has a great personality. She often slips off into a foreign accent that's so cute...I don't know if it's real or just for fun.

Masks, smoothies and hair

Miss Tammy is a big believer in facial masks.  I had never paid much attention to masks before, but thanks to her I now use them on a semi-regular basis.

She also shares smoothie recipes on a regular basis, being a believer in the health and anti-aging benefits of such drinks.

Miss Tammy has a glorious mane of shining, healthy long hair.  She's not one who believes that as soon as you turn 40, you have to chop all your hair off.  She's a fanatic about shiny hair, though, and is always sharing products to help you acheive that.

She also does make-up videos that are ideally suited to women of a certain age.

If you've been looking for a more mature (but still gorgeous!) beauty tutorialist, do check out uppiesbead59.

I'll leave you with a video of Miss Tammy demonstrating how to wear your hair in a chic side bun.

I'm participating in "31 Days: A Writing Challenge,"  in which I 'll be blogging on the subject of Gracefully Aging every day during the month of October.  Click the button below for more information and links to each post as they become available!

Gracefully Aging, Day 8: Using health and fitness to defy your age

77-yearold body builder Ernestine Shepherd
Photo Credit

First of all, a disclaimer: none of this series is meant to be a "do as I do" thing, as if I'm an expert on aging gracefully and that I've got everything together.

Instead, it's a culling together of things I've learned, women who ARE doing it right, and tips and knowledge that I'm at least trying to implement in my life, with varying degrees of success.

There's no doubt in my mind that proper eating and exercise is key to aging gracefully.

Ernestine Shepherd

We may not all be able to aspire to the level of fitness exhibited by  Ernestine Shepherd--pictured in the photo--but we can certainly be inspired.

Shepherd tells The Daily Mail that she gets up at 2.30am every day, prays, prepares her first meal of scrambled egg whites and a handful of walnuts, and then runs 10 miles before she has her second meal and hits the gym.

And I'm tired after a 45-minute bike ride! But you know what? It does definitely inspire me that someone old enough to be my mom has reached that level of fitness.

10 Natural Ways to Defy Your Age

Health and wellness coach Ellen Goldman has come up with 10 Natural Way to Defy Your Age. (I'm just going to hit the high points here, but feel free to read the entire article here.)

• Adjust Your Mindset: YOU Control How You Will Age 
• Exercise: The Fountain of Youth (Cardio, Weight Training, and Lifestyle Activities)
• You are what you eat, so feed your face (focus on foods containing vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and polyphenols)
• Get Your Beauty Sleep (work on getting 7-8 hours a night)
• Calm the Years Away: Deep Breathing, Meditation and Yoga (prayer is a great option as well)
• Take Care of Your Smile (the health of your mouth can also affect the health of your body)
• Protect Your Skin (and Eyes) from the Sun
• Don't Neglect Your Ears (By all means, enjoy listening to music--but turn down the volume)
• Stop Smoking and Limit Alcohol
• Your Brain: Use It or Lose It ( Many habits, such as exercise and healthy eating, can keep our brain cells functioning well into our elderly years

I'm participating in "31 Days: A Writing Challenge,"  in which I 'll be blogging on the subject of Gracefully Aging every day during the month of October.  Click the button below for more information and links to each post as they become available!

Gracefully Aging, Day 7: Role Models! Marie-Therese of the French Touch

Marie-Thérèse at the Kentucky Derby in 2013

What is it about Frenchwomen? No matter how old they are, they seem to be, in the words of an old Rod Stewart song, "ageless, timeless, lace and fineness, beauty and elegance."

We can even thank the French for giving us the term "une femme d'un certain âge." That means "a woman of a certain age," but my blogging friend Marie-Thérèse says it's loosely translated as, "You don't ask and I won't tell."

The French Touch

I don't know when I first discovered Marie-Thérèse's blog, The French Touch, but I was hooked instantly.

M-T is the American-born child of French parents, and it's obvious she was genetically blessed with the unique style and grace of a Frenchwoman. It's hard to believe, but she does admit to being over 60.

 Marie-Thérèse is the owner of French Touch Image Consulting,. This from her website:

"As the American-born child of French parents, I have spent a lifetime living in two cultures and adapting the best of French style to my American way of life. I can help you add that French Touch to your Look and to your Life. You'll love the results!
Learn the secrets of French style - how to do more with less, how to add that special accessory, tie that perfect scarf, how to eat what you love and not gain weight."

Musing on why many Frenchwomen seem to age more gracefully than their American counterparts, Marie-Thérèse  writes;

"By the end of the 60s, the pursuit of Femininity had been moved from the Virtue to the Vice side of the Feminist orthodoxy. It was deemed not only to be frivolous, but downright subversive. The French woman sailed through the last four decades relatively unscathed by American-style Feminism. As a result, she continues not only to age gracefully, but to live her whole life as gracefully as she can to the delight of the French man. Femininity underpins everything she is and does. Her individual version of Femininity may be classic or quirky, but she owns it, she works it, and she will go to the grave with it."

Some more great quotes/tips from M-T's blog:

•  "A great shade of lipstick is the quickest, easiest and best thing a woman can do for her face at any age, but particularly as we age when the natural blush of our youthful lips begins to fade."
• M-T uses Cetaphil lotion on her face every night; "It’s gentle, effective and if I want something a bit richer in the winter months, I mix in a few drops of my moisturizing lotion to create a creamier face wash."
• She  washes and moisturizes her face while still wet before going to bed, and splashes on warm water only and moisturizes, again while still wet, in the morning. 
• She quotes 63-year-old former model and stylist Linda Rodin: “The secret to aging gracefully is maintenance. Botox is fine in moderation, but the more you do the older you look. You can't chase youth. You'll just look old with a facelift.”

 If you want to absorb some of a Frenchwoman's tried and true philosophy on aging gracefully, I highly recommend The French Touch.

I'm participating in "31 Days: A Writing Challenge,"  in which I 'll be blogging on the subject of Gracefully Aging every day during the month of October.  Click the button below for more information and links to each post as they become available!

Gracefully Aging, Day 6: To Gray or Not to Gray?

"Supermodel" Cindy Joseph
photo credit

It's a decision every woman will have to make sooner or later.

To gray or not to gray?

Years ago, silver hairs started popping up randomly on my head.  By the time I was in my late 30's, they were too numerous to ignore.

I started coloring my hair, trying to find in a bottle the dark color I had been born with.

Finally, it became a losing battle.  The dark hair coloring didn't look natural, and before too long gray roots would appear.

I had determined I would "not go gently into that good night," to quote Dylan Thomas.

And I still feel that way.  I'm not ready to give in to the gray.  My solution was to go lighter.  At any given time, I have various amounts of blond highlights in my hair.  It's working pretty well right now, because the highlights are more forgiving when the gray starts to reappear.  There's less of a contrast, and it blends it better.

Personally, I think gray hair ages me even beyond my years.  When gray starts appearing, I feel it makes me look haggard and old.

Singer Emmylou Harris
photo credit

Giving in to the gray

Some women give in to the gray, and it ends up being beautiful  It's hard to imagine model Cindy Joseph, pictured above, looking prettier with any other color of hair.  She was 60 when that picture was taken. (She is now 63).

Cindy says she stopped coloring her hair to hide the gray when she realized some things about aging: "This is going to sound so repetitive and so old and so unsurprising. Life has proven to me what I heard before and didn't understand, and that is, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Absolutely, entirely, and 100 percent."

(I'll be featuring Cindy Joseph again later in this series, by the way.)

Actress Helen Mirren
photo credit

For me, going gray is not the answer at this point in my life.  Frankly, it makes me feel old, and how I feel is going to come out on my face.

 If you're considering going gray, here is an article about styling and maintaining gray hair beautifully.

What about you?  Have you decided to give in to the gray...or are you still fighting it?  I'd love to hear your comments!

I'm participating in "31 Days: A Writing Challenge,"  in which I 'll be blogging on the subject of Gracefully Aging every day during the month of October.  Click the button below for more information and links to each post as they become available!

Gracefully Aging, Day 5: Wise Words

I've had a Pinterest board on "Aging Gracefully" for a while, and I've found a lot of nuggets of inspiration as well as links to helpful articles and inspiring women.  Today? Some words of wisdom on gracefully aging...

*photos via Pinterest

I'm participating in "31 Days: A Writing Challenge,"  in which I 'll be blogging on the subject of Gracefully Aging every day during the month of October.  Click the button below for more information and links to each post as they become available!

Gracefully Aging, Day 4: Role Models! My sister Beverly

My older sister Beverly is at an age where many women have decided that, as far as looking gorgeous, that ship has sailed.

Not my sister.

I won't invade her privacy by telling you how old she is, but if did, you'd be very surprised.

  Bev has been my beauty icon for a long time.  She has sold Clinique and Estee Lauder, which taught her a lot about skin care.

But Beverly says my mom was one of the first to encourage her about skin care.  She tells me, "Skin care is and has always been extremely important to me. I remember once right after I turned 20, and Mother said to me, 'Bev, you are at an age now that you need to think about moisturizing your skin on a daily basis.'  She said that it would keep me looking younger,longer. From then on, I was hooked, and started out with Oil Of Olay."

Bev with her husband, Steve

Beverly's Beauty Regimen

Having used some of the best skin care products, Beverly (like me) often takes advantage of high-end gifts-with purchase...but she's not opposed to using good drugstore products if that fits better with her budget.

"I have a regimen that I do every night of the week. I use a facial cleanser, and this varies, as to what I have on hand at the time. I exfoliate at least twice or three times a week, and I usually buy a Loreal product. I try to use an Estee Lauder cream for my face and throat, for moisturizing, as it is usually more emoliant. I use an eye cream. as well, and use a makeup with an SPF in it. I like to use Estee Lauder products, but there are times that I have to use L'Oreal."

Bev at her most recent birthday with some of her grandsons

Bev never looks like she's trying to look younger, but her clothes are always fashionable and attractive.  One just never sees Beverly looking frumpy or dowdy.

I asked her about her criteria when buying clothes: "I always look for clothing that will make me look slimmer. I like trendy , but have to remember to stay age appropriate. I will almost always have a little cover up to go over a sleeveless top. It it is terribly hot, I will go ahead and show my arms. Its more about comfort.

" I like a little larger than the size that I actually wear, as it is more slenderizing. I don't buy vertical stripes, or polka dots. I despise corduroy.

"I believe that you feel like you look. If I have a lazy day, when I don't apply makeup or get dressed, I feel like a slob all day long. I want to remember this when I retire." Beverly plans to retire from her job as a receptionist in an OB-GYN's office at the end of this year.

Beverly tells me, "My style and beauty icon are Jaclyn Smith, Diane Keaton and Diane Sawyer. They have great style and stay looking as young as they can. My Mother was my beauty icon, and passed away at 80 years old, looking like she was 50."

Beauty from the inside

Beverly exemplifies my belief that inner beauty radiates outward at any age.  She a dedicated Christian, and she's always full of laughter and fun.  She's one of the most enjoyable people to be around of anyone I know.

Her grandchildren (some of whom are grown up) adore her and love to spend time with her.

Beverly is definitely one of my beauty icons...a true example of gracefully aging.

My younger sister Lisa, me and Beverly at Lisa's son's recent wedding

I'm participating in "31 Days: A Writing Challenge,"  in which I 'll be blogging on the subject of Gracefully Aging every day during the month of October.  Click the button below for more information and links to each post as they become available!

Gracefully Aging, Day 3: What about cosmetic surgery?

photo credit

A few years ago, actress Jamie Lee Curtis told USA Today, "This obsession with plastic surgery is an epidemic. It's lunacy! These women have had their faces rebuilt and they look terrible. It's going to backfire at some point; sadly, somebody famous and young is going to have to die on the table."

Well, guess what, Jamie? Even that won't stop the lunacy. In a society where what you look like on the outside is of paramount importance, people--especially women--will continue to pursue that image of perfection, whether it be through plastic surgery or extreme diets.

I don't have a problem with people fixing something that really needs to be fixed.  Myself? I' seriously doubt I'll ever be going under the knife. First, because I can't see ever being able to afford it. And second, because I'm not convinced it makes people look better!

There are options that are less drastic than surgery these days as well.  If that's your cup of tea, go for it.

But I have to sound a cautionary note.

Many of the celebrities I've seen that have undergone cosmetic surgery have ended up looking much worse...in my humble opinion--than they would if they had simply allowed nature to take its course.

There's an odd cat-like look that seems to be common.  High, puffy cheeks and small, slanted eyes.  Fish-like lips. The late Farrah Fawcett used to have such a pretty mouth, but in my opinion she ruined it with whatever "enhancement" she subjected it to.  Meanwhile, her mother died a beautiful old lady, with no obvious signs of surgery.

Out of control?

Yes, I do believe the plastic surgery craze is getting out of control. It started in Hollywood and it's spreading across the nation, aided and abetted by cosmetic surgery reality TV shows and enhancement-happy celebrities. One of the most disturbing trends is young girls hopping on the plastic surgery bandwagon; teen-agers getting breast implants, etc.

It might be a good idea to do a follow-up on some of these people and see if altering their appearance was the ultimate antidote they thought it was going to be. Hmm, makes me think of a thought from the Bible: "Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."

Sure, I get frustrated when I see signs of encroaching age. But then I think about my mother, who I've mentioned earlier in this series.  She passed away suddenly last November at the age of 80.

 I wrote these words in a tribute to her several years ago: "She has sparkling green eyes; a lovely full,expressive mouth...a dazzling smile. The years have been kind to her, and she is a prime example of how decades of righteous living can influence a woman's face...Years dedicated to God's service and unselfish love for her husband and children. She has the sort of radiant, luminous, from-the-inside beauty that defies age."

That kind of beauty--the beauty of a pure mind, a loving heart and a God-focused soul--is the kind of beauty to which I aspire. And that kind of beauty cannot be touched by age.

I'm participating in "31 Days: A Writing Challenge,"  in which I 'll be blogging on the subject of Gracefully Aging every day during the month of October.  Click the button below for more information and links to each post as they become available!

Gracefully Aging, Day 2: Is there an expiration date on beauty?

Israeli actress Daliah Lavi

A couple of years ago, some magazine fashion guy named John Januzzi raised hackles by suggesting that online style bloggers have a "shelf life" when it comes to blogging.

To quote Januzzi:

“Everyone out there has some kind of expiration date. What happens when a personal-style blogger wakes up and she’s 35 and not the cute 20-year-old girl in Brooklyn anymore?”

Granted, Januzzi was talking specifically about blogging. And mine is not really a style blog. But his remarks struck me as extremely age-ist and frankly, ignorant.

I responded on my blog at the time:

"Expiration date"? Absolutely not!

That cute 20 year old is not going to "wake up one day" and be 35...she's going to evolve in the space of 15 years, and most probably be better and more beautiful at 35 than she was at 20. (Unless she takes the route of excessive alcohol, tobacco and tanning and makes herself old before her time, of course.)

I'm in my late 50s, and determined to be the best "woman of a certain age" that I can be.  I'm one of MANY over 40 bloggers who still care about beauty and fashion.

 My friend Patti writes a blog called Not Dead Yet Style, and she hosts a blog link-up called "Visible Monday," so titled because women of our age often think we have to accept being invisible.

 Does that guy really think women should stop caring about these things because they're maturing?  Hogwash!

That sounds like a bunch of age-ist nonsense to me.

Even the most gorgeous 20 year old is getting older by the minute.  At some point she'll have to decide if she wants to just let herself go, or make a conscious decision  to be the best woman of ANY age that she can be.

A different kind of beauty

Yes, it means accepting flaws that aren't going to go away.  But it also means putting equal focus on inner beauty as you do outer beauty.

We have to be realistic: Changes in our faces and our bodies are inevitable as we age.  How we define our outer beauty may change.  But I am convinced, with some care and effort and intentionality, there need not be an expiration date on beauty.

I hope you'll stay with me on this 31 day blogging journey as we look at ways to gracefully age.

I'm participating in "31 Days: A Writing Challenge,"  in which I 'll be blogging on the subject of Gracefully Aging every day during the month of October.  Click the button below for more information and links to each post as they become available!

Gracefully Aging, Day 1: Modeling Joy

With my mom a few years ago...she was in her late 70s when this was taken

It begins with a few fine lines around your eyes that you never noticed before.  Then, you may notice that your eye shadow doesn't go on as smoothly when you're applying it.  Then you realize that the skin on your throat isn't as firm as it used to be.

You're getting older.  It's inevitable, and it happens to everyone.  But what are you going to do about it?  Especially when you're talking about how you look on the outside?

You have two choices.  You can give up and give in...realize that you're not young anymore, so why should you try to look good?  Bring on the polyester and toss the make-up in the trash.

Or, you can decide that you're going to be the best "woman of a certain age" (as the French so beautifully put it) that it is within your power to be.

I decided on the second option, and I firmly believe it's mostly because of my mother.

My mother, my beauty icon

My mom died suddenly last November.  She was 80 when she died, and she looked at least 10 years younger.

One simply didn't think of my mother as an old lady.  She wore a full face of make-up everyday.  Her clothes were classic and lovely, youthful without being trendy.  No polyester pants or appliqued sweatshirts for her, and she didn't go out without re-applying her lipstick.

There were some reasons she looked young, I'm sure.  Genetics and the fact that she never drank alcohol or smoked cigarettes had something to do with it.  Clean living.  She did eat mostly healthy foods, and exercised until she wasn't physically able to do much.

But it was more than that.  It was the kind of beauty that radiated from within.  She practiced joy in her daily life.

Modeling Joy

After she died, I found a devotional she had presented to a ladies' group.  (She was a pastor's wife for most of her life, and continued to be an inspiration to the women in her church long after my dad passed away.)

The subject of the devotional was joy.  She listed 10 ways to model joy and contentment:

1. Express joy through your words
2. Express joy with your voice
3. Sing often
4. Smile more often
5. Have fun
6. Live out a joyful faith
7. Share your joys with others
8. Nurture a spirit of giving
9. Focus on the blessings
10. Express joy and contentment any way you can

As I read that list, I realized my mom practiced all those things every day! She was, and always will be, my ultimate role model in gracefully aging.

I'm participating in "31 Days: A Writing Challenge,"  in which I 'll be blogging on the subject of Gracefully Aging every day during the month of October.  Click the button below for more information and links to each post as they become available!

31 Days of Blogging: I'm Committing!

31 Days of Gracefully Aging

My blog has been rather hit-or-miss lately...mostly miss.  But today I came across a challenge that will force compel me to blog faithfully, at least for 31 days.

It's called simply "31 days," and it's a challenge to write on one topic in your blog every day in the month of October.

The topic I've chosen is:

Gracefully Aging

I'm on the far side of my 50's...so much so that I can see that big 60 milestone looming in the not-too-distant future.

A while back, I determined to be the best "woman of a certain age" that I can be.  My blog will focus on making the aging experience as beautiful as possible...not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally as well.

I plan to include, not only tips and advice from experts, but profiles of some of the gracefully-aging women that inspire me most.

Also, plenty of encouragement for those who, like me, want to believe that loveliness is not necessarily a quality that belongs only to the young!

Here's hoping for a successful month of blogging!

Here's a list of each post as it becomes available:

Day One: Modeling Joy

Day 2: Is there an expiration date on beauty?

Day 3: What about cosmetic surgery?

Day 4: Role models! My sister Beverly

Day 5: Wise Words

Day 6:  To gray or not to gray?

Day 7: Role models! Marie-Therese of The French Touch

Day 8:  Using health and fitness to defy your age

Day 9: YouTuber Miss Tammy

Day 10: Hair--The Long and Short of It

Day 11: Charla Krupp's How Not to Look Old

Day 12: Wise Words

Day 13: The Anti-Aging Serum that's Freely Available

Day 14: Blogs! 40+Style

Day 15: Makeup--Is Less More?

Day 16:  A Responsibility to Mentor

Day 17:  A Responsibility to Mentor Part 2

Day 18: Christie Brinkley's Anti-Aging Tips

Day 19:  Wise Words

Day 20: Blogs! Pam of OverFiftyFeeling40

Day 21: Our Aging Parents

Day 22: Our Aging Parents Part 2

Day 23: A makeup tutorial for mature women

Day 24: The Joy of Grandparenting

Day 25: Judy Chapman of Modern and Mature

Day 26:  Great Quotes about Aging Well

Day 27: Losing a Parent

Day 28: Living in an Empty Nest

Day 29: Blogs! Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

Day 30: Helen Mirren


Day 31:  I Did It!

Best. Pancakes. EVER.

These are the pancakes I used to make for my kids on Saturday mornings when they were growing up.  I haven't made them in years, and had forgotten how ridiculously good they are until I made them for myself this morning!

(Unfortunately, I can't make them for my half-Swedish husband, as he will only eat Swedish pancakes.)

Anyhoo...if I remember correctly, this recipe was given to me by my co-worker Irma years ago.  I believe there's one that's very similar in the Betty Crocker Cookbook.

You probably have everything you need on hand to make these yummy pancakes. (Except maybe buttermilk, but you can take care of that by putting a tablespoon of vinegar in the milk.)

I found the recipe I had given my mom in some of her things this past week.  She usually doubled the recipe, and that is very easily done.

As is, it makes about 9 medium pancakes.

I promise you, it's worth the little extra time to forgo a mix and make these from scratch!

Favorite Pancakes

-1 egg
-1 cup buttermilk (or add a tablespoon of vinegar to regular milk)
-2 T. vegetable oil
-1 c. flour
-1 T. sugar
-1 t. baking powder
-1/2 t. baking soda
-1/2 t. salt

Beat egg.  Add remaining ingredients in order listed and beat with whisk until smooth.
Grease heated griddle if necessary. Pour batter from tip of large spoon onto hot griddle.
Turn pancakes as soon as they are puffed and full of bubbles. Cook on other side until golden brown.


Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Oh, and the next time I make pancakes for my grandkids, this is what I'm going to do (found this cute picture on the internet):

photo credit: "your healthy world" 

My love affair with biking

When my husband told me he was going to buy me a used bicycle, my response was "Don't waste your money!"

Frankly, I had no desire to ride a bike.  It has been more years that I would care to count since I had been adept at riding one (think: childhood), and I was more than a little scared of  how my not-so-graceful adult self would fare on a bicycle.\

Thankfully, he ignored me.

And I'm so glad he did...because this little mama has been the source of an enormous amount of fun, relaxation, exercise, and re-discovering one of the purest and simplest joys of childhood.

"It's just like riding a bike...you never forget how!"

Mmm-hmm. I'm sure you've heard that little saying before.

Well, yes and no.  The truth is...while your body remembers how to balance itself on a bicycle...this grown-up and significantly larger body had a hard time remembering just how to maneuver the contraption with confidence.

My first bike ride, together with my husband, was a disaster.

He had already been riding for several weeks, and even at its worst, his strength and endurance is way above mine.  And he's a natural athlete.  I'm...NOT.

It was one of the worst 55 minutes of my life.  I thought I was going to die.  And I was horribly clumsy and awkward...I kept thinking how my kids would have thought it was hilarious (they're not mean-spirited, but they enjoy ogling a train wreck as much as the next person.)

Practice makes perfect

I was ready to give up after that first awful ride.  But I didn't.  I purposed to take a short spin around my neighborhood every day until I had more confidence.  And you know what?  I finally did!

Riding my bike has brought me so much enjoyment this past summer.  Besides giving me much-needed exercise, it has helped me get in touch with and really appreciate beautiful parts of my city, like the ones depicted here, up close and personal.

Living in Northern Illinois, the day will come when I'll have to park my bike for a long hiatus.  I'll be sad when that happens...but I'll look forward to springtime and the first time I can take my trusty little blue friend for a spin again!

I took this one underneath "Symbol," a large metal sculputre that's supposed to be symbolic of our city.

The Sinnissippi Recreation Path, where I did the majority of my biking this summer

"Son of Hamas" Revisited: A New Documentary about an amazing book

A while back, I reviewed the book "Son of Hamas" on my book blog, Cindy's Book Club.

Now, Tyndale House informs me that there is now a documentary based on the book.  "The Green Prince" premiered September 12th in New York, Baltimore and Los Angeles, to "amazing reviews."

Scroll down for a trailer of the film.

But first, here's my review of the book:




It's rare that I step away from my beloved fiction to read a nonfiction book. Most often it's a biography.

Indeed, Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices is autobiographical, but it's a radical reading departure for me.

The Middle East and me

My life has been somewhat connected with the Middle East since I was a child and my parents were missionaries to Beirut, Lebanon.

My brother was born just a couple of weeks after my family was evacuated from Lebanon during the Six Day War in June of 1967.

(Ironically, my brother grew up to serve as a US Marine during the Gulf War, then as a contractor helping train Iraqi police and working alongside the military in Afghanistan.)

Just as I will never forget the beauty of the short time I spent in Lebanon, my heart is saddened at the ongoing violence and bloodshed in the region.

I guess those are the reasons I picked up Son of Hamas. I was intrigued by this story of the son of a founder and leader of West Bank terrorist organization Hamas.

Mosab Hassan Yousef

This from the book's website:

Since he was a small boy, Mosab Hassan Yousef has had an inside view of the deadly terrorist group Hamas. The oldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a founding member of Hamas and its most popular leader, young Mosab assisted his father for years in his political activities while being groomed to assume his legacy, politics, status . . . and power. But everything changed when Mosab turned away from terror and violence, and embraced instead the teachings of another famous Middle East leader.

Son of Hamas was not an easy read for me. I sometimes felt as if I were reading a history book and that I needed to focus to keep track of the various terrorist organizations and events, which sometimes seemed to run together.

But I wanted to read this book. My brother once shamed me because I couldn't name all the major terrorist organizations off the top of my head, despite the fact that I've worked in radio news for years.

I wanted to educate myself and delve into the inner workings of terrorism and counter-terrorism. Since Mosab ended up collaborating with Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet for several years, I was definitely able to do that.

Mosab characterizes his father as a kind, humble, devout man who mostly cared about the welfare of his people. However, it became increasingly hard for Mosab to reconcile his father's gentleness--the man literally was unable to kill a bug!--with a person who would encourage and countenance the killing of thousands of innocent people in the name of Allah.

The remarkable power of God's Word

The ultimate reward for sticking with this gripping and violent book was a revelation. I've always known this, but it's still amazing to see it illustrated so vividly: God's Word has the power to dramatically change lives and situations.

At one point, Mosab is invited to a Bible study by a British missionary. As he's always been open to learning about other religions, he decides to go, sort of on a lark.

To his surprise, he really enjoys it. He's given a New Testament, and since gifts are precious in the Arab culture, he reads it.

Writes Mosab:

"I began at the beginning, and when I got to the Sermon on the Mount, I thought, Wow, this guy Jesus is really impressive! Everything he says is beautiful. I couldn't put the book down. Every verse seemed to touch a deep wound in my life. It was a very simple message, but somehow it had the power to heal my soul and give me hope.

Then I read this: 'You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbour and hate your enemy,' but I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven"(Matthew 5:43-45).

That was it! I was thunderstruck by these words. Never before I heard anything like this, but I knew this was the message I had been searching for all my life......."

There was no Damascus Road experience, but Mosab is ever more drawn to the God of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus, and eventually converts to Christianity.

I won't tell you anything else about the book, in case you decide to read it for yourself. If, like me, you're used to the entertainment of fiction, it may at times be a difficult read. But it's a remarkable one that will stay with you long after you close the book.

Trailer for "The Green Prince"

Find out more about "The Green Prince"  here

15 Books That Will Always Stick With Me

I noticed something that's been going around Facebook recently.  People are "tagged" to list the books that have stayed with them, or stuck with them.

No one has tagged me on this, but I recalled that a few years ago I actually blogged about my own list.  So, ta-da!  Here it is again.

(I almost didn't list the Bible, because it's really in a category all its own, but no list of "books that stayed with me" is complete without it.)

1. The Holy Bible

 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12

It's a living thing.  It's unlike any other book that has ever written or ever will be.  

And now to ordinary, man-made books:


2. Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte--After loving this book almost all my life, I finally wrote a review of it here.   It's not "the mother of all gothic novels" for nothing. It has everything: romance, mystery, suspense, a dangerously attractive love interest and a heroine we admire and care about.

3. Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte--Heathcliff is the ultimate bad boy that you can't help falling a little in love with (although, as I've matured, I see him much more as a villain than as a romantic figure.) Windswept moors, sobbing heroines--it's a mess, but you can't help being captivated.

4. Through Gates of Splendor, by Elisabeth Elliot--The gut-wrenching true story of  missionaries killed while trying to give the gospel to a remote tribe.  Written by the remarkable widow of  one of the missionaries.

5. The Chronicles of Narnia, by C. S. Lewis---technically more than one book. (My favorite is probably "The Silver Chair")--I was avidly reading these books as a child, many years before the movie hype came along, and probably before many of you were born! Still, I continue to re-read them about once a year.

6. Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott--Introduced me to the joys of fiction when I was a very little girl. Now, as an adult, it seems a bit quaint-- but I still love it.

7. Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen--I've always loved the way Darcy and Elizabeth are inexorably drawn to each other throughout the book, despite ostensibly not being able to stand each other. And Elizabeth is one of the coolest heroines ever...feisty, funny and beautiful.

8. The Red Knights of Hy Brasil, by Christine Savery--This was a childhood favorite when I was a missionary kid in Beirut, Lebanon. I had lost it, but a few years ago I found a copy online, and yes, I do read it again occasionally. I also give this book at least partial credit for my lifelong obsession with Ireland, and desire to go there. I blogged here about finding the book after many years.

9. Not My Will, by Francena H. Arnold--I blogged about this book not too long ago here. Written many years ago, it still stands the test of time.

10. Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers--Showed me how really excellent, top-notch and absorbing Christian fiction can be...and the message has been literally life-changing for some young women I know.

11. The Atonement Child, by Francine Rivers--What would you do if you were a Christian college student about to marry a star preacher-to-be---and you were raped by a stranger?  And you were pregnant?  Rivers handles this question with unflinching real-ness.

13.Wisdom Hunter, by Randall Arthur-- Probably the most brutally honest look at graceless Christianity to date. Combines a fascinating story with vital spiritual insights.

14. The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom--This true story of a Dutch woman imprisoned by the Nazis for helping Jews is an incredible portrait of faith and grace.

15. Auntie Robbo, by Anne Scott Moncrieff--Another childhood favorite that I've found and bought again online. I blogged about it here.

The list could go on...and on...and on!