This is so great. I can’t wait to see the film. I have a new hero! Next film — women with very short hair? I am 65 and my kids shave my head in the garage. (Laziness and diminishing vanity — win win!) I had to hide it from my 92 yr-old dad — “are you trying to look ugly?” My ma grimaces but is silent. These days I don’t think about it but man it was hard at first. My hair meant a lot to strangers. Preconceptions and assumptions galore. I think this may be changing tho!
Call it the Silent Grimace, ad an emogee where the face is actually smiling with the buzzed hair and you have your title. Upgrade your cell phone, make sure it has a cinematic mode, and get to it! It continues to amaze me how much is expressed and tied up in hair, how it signifies, horrifies, and stigmatizes how takes up so much room inside our heads! I think you'll enjoy the film...of course there is a whole bit on mothers and others.....
Loved this, especially the line, "I enjoy caring less what anyone thinks of me—that is a real source of freedom and badassery." Also, I think you could walk the Camino!
Fantastic interview! Love the reunion line about everyone being "like bouillon cubes of our high school selves." Also enjoyed her reflections about what stay-at-home parenthood does to one's career/artistic aspirations, definitions of success, etc. Very poignant and relatable.
Thank you Vincent, It's still kind of a taboo to be honest about the sacrifices we make when we have children, whether we stay at home or not. It seems like we don't love our kids enough, or we are so self centered that we want to earn money, or recognition for our efforts and accomplishments outside of parenting. Oldstering gives one permission to admit certain things. Ooooh a new verb....oldstering, Sari, did you catch that?
This column never disappoints. What a fascinating life! The picture of you as a five-year-old supports that announcement, "I am my own boss." And I can't wait to see your film.
It's nice to know there are men like you who see gray as beautiful. Too many guys make women feel undesirable and unemployable with gray hair and the haircolor industry amplifies those messages for profit, hence they feel the need to hide the gray. Somtimes those guys need to be ditched.
Just before I got married at the age of 47 I asked my husband-to-be if maybe I should dye my gray curls for the wedding (a potluck party on a farm!). He said if it’s something you want to do for yourself, go ahead. But don’t do it for me. I love your hair. It’s now 14 years later and so happily married. I haven’t dyed my hair in over 20 years. Can’t wait to see your film.
Thank you Ilise. Maybe that’s the next step in feminism. Men loving the message.
I do find it amusing somehow when I see a gray-haired Oldster with a defiant streak of chartreuse or crimson. But I know enough to keep my mouth shut. (btw—you look great). Best of luck with your film.
Ilise, I look forward to your movie. ( I have never colored my hair, and I enjoy my silvery locks.) I definitely related to the fact that you have no “bucket list”. I’m asked so often about what is on my bucket list, and I have no bucket list. This seems to surprise others. Curiosity, learning, loving, relationships and gratitude for life are blessings each day.
Thank you, Sari & Ilise! Really excited for the film. I kept thinking at some point my % of grey would reach a vanity point when I would want to dye, but honestly, there’s nothing I like about hair dye- the chemicals and damage, the time commitment, the expense. There’s so many other ways I’d prefer to spend my time & money. The women in your trailer look gorgeous as they are.
Thank you, Ilise! You are fun, brilliant, warm and interesting, and I loved reading your answers. 🤍 I never went to university (I did other forms of study) and I often wonder what my path would have looked like if I did... but winging it certainly seems to be the way I'm meant to be navigating this life. 🪽 Here's to our wings! x
Ilise is my new hero. Of all the interviews I've read here at Olster, I think this one is chock full of useful nuggets. I feel like I just got a guidebook from a wise and hysterical soul on how to live my final years.
God bless you, lady!
And that documentary, my Lord – – I cannot wait to watch it. What do I need to do(in terms of licensing, etc.) to have a viewing party in my community?
This interview is just what I needed as I scurry about for the Thanksgiving holiday. 😌💖
Melissa, you made my day! You hit on my master plan. Screenings/dowloads- large or small, remote or in person, hosted with or without me for like minded people who want to share the film. (that was a keyboard full!) I am working on a putting the film on a platform that will allow me to do all that. After the turkey carcass has been relegated to the soup pot, please shoot me an email. Iliseharris@gmail We can discuss. xo
Loved this and looking forward to the film. I totally agree with her statement - "If you stay in the bubble of your age, and don’t matriculate with younger or older people, you get stuck." Like her I think staying curious and not limiting yourself can bring such fulfillment to getting older.
I just love these interviews! I want to sit down with Ilise and share a coffee and delve deeper into this aging and exploration of life topic. We have a lot in common already, on the cusp of 64, I can relate to so many of her experiences. By the way, I did walk the Camino, a life changing experience.
"Live in the joy" a perfect quote from Cayce too. Thank you for sharing this fascinating woman with us. I look forward to watching Your Root Are Showing too!
This is so great. I can’t wait to see the film. I have a new hero! Next film — women with very short hair? I am 65 and my kids shave my head in the garage. (Laziness and diminishing vanity — win win!) I had to hide it from my 92 yr-old dad — “are you trying to look ugly?” My ma grimaces but is silent. These days I don’t think about it but man it was hard at first. My hair meant a lot to strangers. Preconceptions and assumptions galore. I think this may be changing tho!
Call it the Silent Grimace, ad an emogee where the face is actually smiling with the buzzed hair and you have your title. Upgrade your cell phone, make sure it has a cinematic mode, and get to it! It continues to amaze me how much is expressed and tied up in hair, how it signifies, horrifies, and stigmatizes how takes up so much room inside our heads! I think you'll enjoy the film...of course there is a whole bit on mothers and others.....
Love your ideas and perspectives!. Where/how can I see the whole film?
These interviews really mean a lot. Thank you for doing this.
So glad you enjoy them! I do, too. Every one. <3
Loved this, especially the line, "I enjoy caring less what anyone thinks of me—that is a real source of freedom and badassery." Also, I think you could walk the Camino!
I had a feeling that line about the Camino would catch your attention, Doug!
Oh, I love this! Especially the Edgar Cayce reminder! Live in the joy!
Fantastic interview! Love the reunion line about everyone being "like bouillon cubes of our high school selves." Also enjoyed her reflections about what stay-at-home parenthood does to one's career/artistic aspirations, definitions of success, etc. Very poignant and relatable.
Yeah, I loved that line, too. And…all of them…
I copied the bouillon quote. Perfect: wise, observant and a little gross and whimsical at the same time.
Thank you Vincent, It's still kind of a taboo to be honest about the sacrifices we make when we have children, whether we stay at home or not. It seems like we don't love our kids enough, or we are so self centered that we want to earn money, or recognition for our efforts and accomplishments outside of parenting. Oldstering gives one permission to admit certain things. Ooooh a new verb....oldstering, Sari, did you catch that?
This column never disappoints. What a fascinating life! The picture of you as a five-year-old supports that announcement, "I am my own boss." And I can't wait to see your film.
Signed, 72 and still coloring.....
Thank you Janet. Hopefully I'll have something sorted for streaming by the end of Jan.
If you follow @yourootsareshoiwng (one r) or FB Your Roots Are Showing, I'll be posting that info.
So glad you enjoy these, Janet!
Writing as a man, i find it sad when “ditch the dye” is preceded by “ditch the guy.” Women who are gray and self-confidently so are just so beautiful.
It's nice to know there are men like you who see gray as beautiful. Too many guys make women feel undesirable and unemployable with gray hair and the haircolor industry amplifies those messages for profit, hence they feel the need to hide the gray. Somtimes those guys need to be ditched.
Just before I got married at the age of 47 I asked my husband-to-be if maybe I should dye my gray curls for the wedding (a potluck party on a farm!). He said if it’s something you want to do for yourself, go ahead. But don’t do it for me. I love your hair. It’s now 14 years later and so happily married. I haven’t dyed my hair in over 20 years. Can’t wait to see your film.
I love this story.
Thank you Ilise. Maybe that’s the next step in feminism. Men loving the message.
I do find it amusing somehow when I see a gray-haired Oldster with a defiant streak of chartreuse or crimson. But I know enough to keep my mouth shut. (btw—you look great). Best of luck with your film.
I’ve got a nice story about FIT, if you’d like to hear it. <irwinepstein@Icloud.com>
It’s too personal for this platform. But you can email me if you like.
Ilise, I look forward to your movie. ( I have never colored my hair, and I enjoy my silvery locks.) I definitely related to the fact that you have no “bucket list”. I’m asked so often about what is on my bucket list, and I have no bucket list. This seems to surprise others. Curiosity, learning, loving, relationships and gratitude for life are blessings each day.
Thank you, Sari, for sharing these interviews. ❤️
Glad you enjoy them, Mary. <3
The documentary looks so good!
Agree!
Thank you! I had a lot of fun making it, it was quite the adventure! It seems to be resonating with women and men on multiple levels.
🙌🏻Trailer was great! Congrats. Can’t wait to see it.
This is my favorite yet. I need a do over!
Ha! Andrea, would you like to answer the five new questions? I can send them to you, and we can share them along with your original questionnaire.
Thank you, Sari & Ilise! Really excited for the film. I kept thinking at some point my % of grey would reach a vanity point when I would want to dye, but honestly, there’s nothing I like about hair dye- the chemicals and damage, the time commitment, the expense. There’s so many other ways I’d prefer to spend my time & money. The women in your trailer look gorgeous as they are.
Thank you, Ilise! You are fun, brilliant, warm and interesting, and I loved reading your answers. 🤍 I never went to university (I did other forms of study) and I often wonder what my path would have looked like if I did... but winging it certainly seems to be the way I'm meant to be navigating this life. 🪽 Here's to our wings! x
Ilise is my new hero. Of all the interviews I've read here at Olster, I think this one is chock full of useful nuggets. I feel like I just got a guidebook from a wise and hysterical soul on how to live my final years.
God bless you, lady!
And that documentary, my Lord – – I cannot wait to watch it. What do I need to do(in terms of licensing, etc.) to have a viewing party in my community?
This interview is just what I needed as I scurry about for the Thanksgiving holiday. 😌💖
So glad to hear!
Melissa, you made my day! You hit on my master plan. Screenings/dowloads- large or small, remote or in person, hosted with or without me for like minded people who want to share the film. (that was a keyboard full!) I am working on a putting the film on a platform that will allow me to do all that. After the turkey carcass has been relegated to the soup pot, please shoot me an email. Iliseharris@gmail We can discuss. xo
Ilise, I'll be in touch by early next week. We have a plan!! I'm smiling.
Loved this and looking forward to the film. I totally agree with her statement - "If you stay in the bubble of your age, and don’t matriculate with younger or older people, you get stuck." Like her I think staying curious and not limiting yourself can bring such fulfillment to getting older.
I just love these interviews! I want to sit down with Ilise and share a coffee and delve deeper into this aging and exploration of life topic. We have a lot in common already, on the cusp of 64, I can relate to so many of her experiences. By the way, I did walk the Camino, a life changing experience.
"Live in the joy" a perfect quote from Cayce too. Thank you for sharing this fascinating woman with us. I look forward to watching Your Root Are Showing too!
So glad you enjoy these, Deborah!
The Camino may just happen.....
You can walk the Camino. There is a Camino for everyone😘
Thanks for this, you got me thinking! Did you do it? Any takeaways from the experience?