"I wish I’d taken more risks when I was younger and said yes to things more often just to see where they might lead me. I regret that fear and self-doubt kept me from taking bigger leaps."
This is me: "It’s difficult not being able to read in the shower which bottle is conditioner and which is shampoo." Also the new book sounds wonderful--can't wait to get my hands on it.
I just turned 81 so 66 sounds soooo young to me. Just a year ago I really dreaded turning 80. For whatever reason, I am now enjoying being 81, grateful that I have already lived a long, rich life even though there are things I can no longer do. The most difficult part of my life now is that so many of my long time friends are dying. Letting go is not easy!
Love this statement by Hester Kaplan "It’s an infuriating cliché to say that older women are invisible, but it’s also true. What is also true is that for me invisibility now comes with a greater sense of my own internal visibility. I know I’m still very much here."
Great read! Wonderful photos (such a young fashionista...impressive!). Hester's memoir is brilliant--filled with the same honesty, wisdom, depth, and self-aware humor in this questionnaire.
Great article and interview, I turned 65 last week. I could relate to just about everything Hester said, except writing books. I sew and quilt as an outlet. The waking at 4am and knowing you're not going back to sleep. Why are we in that club? The plus is I'm not getting up for work!
I lived in a small town in Argentina for over a year when my children were toddlers. Having to communicate in Spanish (I got by but not fluently) and living in a different culture from suburban USA saved me from young mother boredom and changed me in mostly positive ways. And my elder child learns languages easily.
I love that you are a swimmer, I also want to swim in as many pools as I can. I meet so many older women who don't even want to put on a swimsuit or think about getting their hair wet. It might help that I can really see anything when I take my glasses off.
I really enjoyed Twice Born. Also, I have to comment on Hester's wish to live in another country "for a while." I've done it twice. I do not recommend. So different from being a tourist!
I am a contrarian. At 76 I see that there are many risks that I took, that would have lead to better outcomes had they been avoided. I left the best paying job, doing something I loved and was great at, to follow my bliss. It lead to financial ruin and brief periods of homelessness.
Nostalgia ain't what it used to be. I suspect that the author is using hindsight as a subsitute for foresight.
I also listen to podcasts through the night when I can’t sleep. No politics, no contemporary horrors. Would love to know what others listen to in the night.
This is me: "It’s difficult not being able to read in the shower which bottle is conditioner and which is shampoo." Also the new book sounds wonderful--can't wait to get my hands on it.
Seriously. Sometimes I label mine S and C with a Sharpie
I can just make out that one word is longer than the other. LOL! And lately I've been going by texture. ;(
Good idea, but then I'd be admitting I can't see them, lol
ha!
Brilliant!
Except I can'r remember which drawer I put the Sharpie in.
The struggle is so real!
Try just adding a rubber band to the cap of the conditioner. You’ll still have your glasses on when it arrives home from the store.
I just turned 81 so 66 sounds soooo young to me. Just a year ago I really dreaded turning 80. For whatever reason, I am now enjoying being 81, grateful that I have already lived a long, rich life even though there are things I can no longer do. The most difficult part of my life now is that so many of my long time friends are dying. Letting go is not easy!
<3 PS I was freaking out about turning 60, and now I love being this age.
We all knew you would! I mean… I can’t think of anyone who has been preparing for longer.
Love all of this, Hester - and I think you’ll find your 70s are even cooler. 😏
"Twice Born" is superb.
Love this statement by Hester Kaplan "It’s an infuriating cliché to say that older women are invisible, but it’s also true. What is also true is that for me invisibility now comes with a greater sense of my own internal visibility. I know I’m still very much here."
LOVE the wedding dress!
My first thought!
Great read! Wonderful photos (such a young fashionista...impressive!). Hester's memoir is brilliant--filled with the same honesty, wisdom, depth, and self-aware humor in this questionnaire.
"I won’t stop wearing sneakers or going down water slides or swearing whenever and however I want." This is awesome
HEY what the what, NYT interview!!! YAY YOU. Never did you ever....think that would happen now??? Now I will go back and read this post
<3
Great article and interview, I turned 65 last week. I could relate to just about everything Hester said, except writing books. I sew and quilt as an outlet. The waking at 4am and knowing you're not going back to sleep. Why are we in that club? The plus is I'm not getting up for work!
I lived in a small town in Argentina for over a year when my children were toddlers. Having to communicate in Spanish (I got by but not fluently) and living in a different culture from suburban USA saved me from young mother boredom and changed me in mostly positive ways. And my elder child learns languages easily.
I love that you are a swimmer, I also want to swim in as many pools as I can. I meet so many older women who don't even want to put on a swimsuit or think about getting their hair wet. It might help that I can really see anything when I take my glasses off.
Huge congrats on the NYT piece on Oldster yesterday!
I really enjoyed Twice Born. Also, I have to comment on Hester's wish to live in another country "for a while." I've done it twice. I do not recommend. So different from being a tourist!
I am a contrarian. At 76 I see that there are many risks that I took, that would have lead to better outcomes had they been avoided. I left the best paying job, doing something I loved and was great at, to follow my bliss. It lead to financial ruin and brief periods of homelessness.
Nostalgia ain't what it used to be. I suspect that the author is using hindsight as a subsitute for foresight.
I also listen to podcasts through the night when I can’t sleep. No politics, no contemporary horrors. Would love to know what others listen to in the night.
BBC world service Newshour, PRX The World, and NPR Fresh Air.
Youtube comedians