Roses are red, violets are blue, tomorrow I'll launch a new series for you; Mark your calendars for the 3rd and 4th Oldster events; A question from Jimin Han about writing contests for those over 40.
My dad who died last November at 105 was all about beauty. He had a passion (some say an addiction) for collecting beautiful things - tropical fish, shells, roses, orchids, mineral crystals. And here's what he said in a morphine haze the night before he died. "Can there be too much beauty in the world? No. There cannot be too much beauty in the world. There cannot be."
I’m so glad you shared the Broadway for Orlando video— I sing on it! (You can hear me harmonizing with my sister, Ann near the end of the song.)
I’ll never forget that recording session—we were so devastated about the Pulse nightclub massacre— to come together in our grief and do something to make a difference was cathartic. We went on to do a Broadway For Orlando concert in Orlando, and we sang What the World Needs Now at the Democratic National Convention. That was a thrill.
I'll be 83 in March and I realize that there's not much I can do to make things better in the world. It's in the hands of younger people now as it was in our hands 50 years ago. but we can be our best, and if we see a chance to improve our world, we should take action.
Like you, I have felt guilty about experiencing joy in our current hellish world. I am absolutely passionate about racing sailboats. To counter that guilt of being passionate about a seemingly "useless" sport I have begun encouraging and advocating and donating to programs and events that help fellow women sailors. When I realized that sailing not only promotes community, but also promotes awareness of our natural world and emphasizes how we must help preserve our oceans, lakes and rivers to help keep our planet going then the passion about being on the water and the joy I feel the moment I step on a boat is something I should be proud of and not something I should feel guilty about loving.
Credit where credit is due: Hal David wrote the words "What the World Needs Now Is Love, Sweet Love." Burt Bacharach wrote the tune. Together, they created a great song, one that's certainly apt for the times.
Beauty seems like a rare commodity these days, like some mysterious rare earth mineral. Yes it’s the one thing “there’s too little of.” Thanks for the injection. I think that was Bad Bunny’s message too, with his intergenerational love blast at the SB.
Yes, I am caught in that emotional dichotomy of feeling that what I do (writing and editing) are not helping people, especially immigrants, enough. Then I think of our world without books and writing and I know I have to go on, and let myself feel the joy of a job well done, not just by me, but by you and so many others. Write on!
I'm very excited about What I Did For Love, which is a great idea (named for what I believe is the best song from the best musical ever). I'm writing in my head already!
Thanks for all you do, Sari! And fun fact--the "What I Did for Love" event on March 4th happens to be my 31st wedding anniversary (together 37 years total). Sounds like it will be a great night.
Thank you - I needed that quote because I wake up every day to a fresh assault on my senses from what our country is turning into. The people who are leading (if you can call it that) cannot do anything more horrific and then the next day they do. It is exhausting and terrifying and has me on my last nerves. I needed to hear about beauty. Thank you
I LOVE that quote about needing beauty. Thank you. And Broadway for Orlando--talk about beauty, despite the tragedy. My heart is full but breaking, both at the same time.
40 seems a bit young to qualify as an oldster, I think. When I was 40, I had just earned a PhD and knew that, barring misfortune, I had 30 years of academic life ahead of me. I ran miles a day along mountain trails without much thought to injury. In all matters, I competed with people younger than myself, not older, and got away with it. I think a majority of writers come into their prime in their 40s, assuming they didn't burn out as literary wunderkind. 40 is middle-aged, older than young, but not "oldster." I'd be more likely to enter a literary contest for people 55+. And way more excited to enter a literary contest for people 70+.
Ah—it’s all relative. And Oldster Magazine isn’t about old people so much as it’s about getting older throughout life. See: https://oldster.substack.com/p/q-who-qualifies-as-an-oldster-a-everyone It’s also unusual and laudable to have a writing contest for people OVER any age, when so many are limited by being for those UNDER age particular age.
Thank you for this, the great photo of the billboad at the Superbowl, and the potent video of "All the World Needs Now". With so much to stand up against, be heartbroken about and be outraged about her in the US and abroad 24/7, I struggle with putting energy into standing up, resisting and being outraged. I yearn to not just have "breaks" to restore and replenish, but to organize around what I stand for (love, justice, peace) vs. what I am against. Both seem important. Resistance seems to add to the energy of pain and the hateful dynamic. Am I naive to be inclined to put my energies into being "for" vs. "against"? Not looking for answers/responses/comments to that. Do I trust that? More an inquiry with myself and inviting others into.
That's exactly it about beauty. Which might be the same thing as love and if we let go of it, we have no anchor. You are helping. This is important. Keep going. ♥️
My dad who died last November at 105 was all about beauty. He had a passion (some say an addiction) for collecting beautiful things - tropical fish, shells, roses, orchids, mineral crystals. And here's what he said in a morphine haze the night before he died. "Can there be too much beauty in the world? No. There cannot be too much beauty in the world. There cannot be."
I love that. Thanks for sharing your dad with us. And condolences to you and yours on his passing.
This is so gorgeous, Jean. Thanks for quoting him. May his memory be blessed.
I’m so glad you shared the Broadway for Orlando video— I sing on it! (You can hear me harmonizing with my sister, Ann near the end of the song.)
I’ll never forget that recording session—we were so devastated about the Pulse nightclub massacre— to come together in our grief and do something to make a difference was cathartic. We went on to do a Broadway For Orlando concert in Orlando, and we sang What the World Needs Now at the Democratic National Convention. That was a thrill.
Oh, wow, Liz! Amazing!! Thanks for letting me know. What a beautiful project. <3
I'll be 83 in March and I realize that there's not much I can do to make things better in the world. It's in the hands of younger people now as it was in our hands 50 years ago. but we can be our best, and if we see a chance to improve our world, we should take action.
And there is no age limit on creating beauty.
Well said, Bruce. Thanks.
Like you, I have felt guilty about experiencing joy in our current hellish world. I am absolutely passionate about racing sailboats. To counter that guilt of being passionate about a seemingly "useless" sport I have begun encouraging and advocating and donating to programs and events that help fellow women sailors. When I realized that sailing not only promotes community, but also promotes awareness of our natural world and emphasizes how we must help preserve our oceans, lakes and rivers to help keep our planet going then the passion about being on the water and the joy I feel the moment I step on a boat is something I should be proud of and not something I should feel guilty about loving.
Yes! Well said.
Credit where credit is due: Hal David wrote the words "What the World Needs Now Is Love, Sweet Love." Burt Bacharach wrote the tune. Together, they created a great song, one that's certainly apt for the times.
Yes, you’re right. I’ll correct it.
Beauty seems like a rare commodity these days, like some mysterious rare earth mineral. Yes it’s the one thing “there’s too little of.” Thanks for the injection. I think that was Bad Bunny’s message too, with his intergenerational love blast at the SB.
Yes! <3
Lovely post..and congratulations to you on having the "best career your life at 60!" We 60-somethings are a force to be reckoned with!
Thanks, Diana!
Yes, I am caught in that emotional dichotomy of feeling that what I do (writing and editing) are not helping people, especially immigrants, enough. Then I think of our world without books and writing and I know I have to go on, and let myself feel the joy of a job well done, not just by me, but by you and so many others. Write on!
I'm very excited about What I Did For Love, which is a great idea (named for what I believe is the best song from the best musical ever). I'm writing in my head already!
Thanks for all you do, Sari! And fun fact--the "What I Did for Love" event on March 4th happens to be my 31st wedding anniversary (together 37 years total). Sounds like it will be a great night.
How nice! <3
Thank you - I needed that quote because I wake up every day to a fresh assault on my senses from what our country is turning into. The people who are leading (if you can call it that) cannot do anything more horrific and then the next day they do. It is exhausting and terrifying and has me on my last nerves. I needed to hear about beauty. Thank you
Justine
<3
I treasure Oldster, _especially_ now. Thank you!
Awww, thank you for telling me, Annick. <3
I LOVE that quote about needing beauty. Thank you. And Broadway for Orlando--talk about beauty, despite the tragedy. My heart is full but breaking, both at the same time.
“My heart is full but breaking, both at the same time.” Exactly. <3
40 seems a bit young to qualify as an oldster, I think. When I was 40, I had just earned a PhD and knew that, barring misfortune, I had 30 years of academic life ahead of me. I ran miles a day along mountain trails without much thought to injury. In all matters, I competed with people younger than myself, not older, and got away with it. I think a majority of writers come into their prime in their 40s, assuming they didn't burn out as literary wunderkind. 40 is middle-aged, older than young, but not "oldster." I'd be more likely to enter a literary contest for people 55+. And way more excited to enter a literary contest for people 70+.
Ah—it’s all relative. And Oldster Magazine isn’t about old people so much as it’s about getting older throughout life. See: https://oldster.substack.com/p/q-who-qualifies-as-an-oldster-a-everyone It’s also unusual and laudable to have a writing contest for people OVER any age, when so many are limited by being for those UNDER age particular age.
Thank you for this, the great photo of the billboad at the Superbowl, and the potent video of "All the World Needs Now". With so much to stand up against, be heartbroken about and be outraged about her in the US and abroad 24/7, I struggle with putting energy into standing up, resisting and being outraged. I yearn to not just have "breaks" to restore and replenish, but to organize around what I stand for (love, justice, peace) vs. what I am against. Both seem important. Resistance seems to add to the energy of pain and the hateful dynamic. Am I naive to be inclined to put my energies into being "for" vs. "against"? Not looking for answers/responses/comments to that. Do I trust that? More an inquiry with myself and inviting others into.
I love that. More “for”!
Broadway for Orlando, well, now I'm crying.
I can’t believe that tragedy was 10 years ago.
Yeah, I had never seen or heard about this video. Thanks @saribotton for sharing and maybe in a few minutes, I’ll stop crying, too!
That's exactly it about beauty. Which might be the same thing as love and if we let go of it, we have no anchor. You are helping. This is important. Keep going. ♥️
<3 <3 <3