If I ever do the Oldster Questionnaire myself, I may have to note Joyce Wadler as my aging idol. Not necessarily because I would make all the same choices she has, but because she's so wry and unashamed about it all. Which is as it should be, to my mind.
Exciting! I just went back and read it. The writing exercise at this point is similar to the modeling one-- allowing for what other people see in it rather than just my own critical eyes (That sentence is too long! That transition is weird... Just stop, Asha. It's good enough. You're fine.).
You are one funny lady, Joyce Wadler! This was hysterical: “So while my ass, which I don’t believe I’ve mentioned, is about 88 years old, my breasts are 17. If you were a guy, seeing me come into a room naked, then leave, you would think you’d been making love to two different women, although you’d only had to buy dinner for one. I should probably put that on the dating sites.” I was howling with laughter reading these words! PURE GOLD.
And you’re right. Some things are worth the repercussions. Like champagne!
Joyce--Fran always spoke of you so fondly. I can understand why. Two feisty women, insistent on being who they are. You may enjoy reading my recent “In Memoriam”to her. She never changed (only her name from Yancovitz to Epstein--two syllables instead of three) and that’s what I loved about her. I’m the “stud” who stood by her through four cancers. The secret? We didn’t have a car. 🤷🏼♂️
Joyce is fabulous! I felt excited to read this piece because I turn 65 next month and I enjoy peeking into the life of someone a decade older and seeing how vibrant and engaged she is. Both aspirational and inspirational. And funny. Especially funny. While she isn't fond of her flat rear, well, what I wouldn't give!
I especially enjoy her positive references to Medicare and senior discounts. Yeah, baby! I've been telling my friends this for months and I can't figure why they don't see this milestone as a victory lap for those two things alone. Maybe they just haven't had to pay for not-great insurance as I have for a few years now. I may burn the old insurance card instead of candles on my cake.
As a newspaper columnist myself, certainly not for the New York Times though, I enjoy Joyce's vibe. Rock on, girlfriend.
Thank you, all! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm especially happy to bump into old friends here -- including Lucian Truscott, who encouraged me to get on Substack, Jeanne Fleming, who has been running the Greenwich Village Halloween parade for over forty years, and the brilliant cartoonists Carolita Johnson and Michael Quint. And to yet another cartoonist, who sent a note saying, "Send a picture of your ass": You're forty years too late, pal.
At 79, with a list of diagnoses as long as my arm, I wasn’t feeling old until seeing photos of friends my age. Word to the wise, have all photos taken while seated, back straight, and thinking about the best sex you can remember. Or imagine.
I’m 75. I loved this. I try to approach the Great Dwindling with a sense of humor. Often it’s in the classic mode of “whistling past the graveyard,” but as long as I keep passing it I’m OK. I still have a passable ass. Hair, not so much. And I try to drink enough every evening that if I should clock out in the night my cremation will be a sight to see.
cannot recall the "exact moment" like you with ass but when i first saw my bald spot at 30 years old kneeling down to set a bi-fold mirrored closet door and caught sight of it my future as a monk i was fucking horrified then i dunno i just kinda said fuck it and carried on heh
If I ever do the Oldster Questionnaire myself, I may have to note Joyce Wadler as my aging idol. Not necessarily because I would make all the same choices she has, but because she's so wry and unashamed about it all. Which is as it should be, to my mind.
Sari, you know the loveliest people.
Same!!! So glad you enjoyed this, Asha! And thanks again for your amazing piece: https://oldster.substack.com/p/at-50-i-started-getting-naked-for/comments (I'm going to start reposting some of the archives. Will keep you posted.)
Exciting! I just went back and read it. The writing exercise at this point is similar to the modeling one-- allowing for what other people see in it rather than just my own critical eyes (That sentence is too long! That transition is weird... Just stop, Asha. It's good enough. You're fine.).
You are one funny lady, Joyce Wadler! This was hysterical: “So while my ass, which I don’t believe I’ve mentioned, is about 88 years old, my breasts are 17. If you were a guy, seeing me come into a room naked, then leave, you would think you’d been making love to two different women, although you’d only had to buy dinner for one. I should probably put that on the dating sites.” I was howling with laughter reading these words! PURE GOLD.
And you’re right. Some things are worth the repercussions. Like champagne!
Joyce--Fran always spoke of you so fondly. I can understand why. Two feisty women, insistent on being who they are. You may enjoy reading my recent “In Memoriam”to her. She never changed (only her name from Yancovitz to Epstein--two syllables instead of three) and that’s what I loved about her. I’m the “stud” who stood by her through four cancers. The secret? We didn’t have a car. 🤷🏼♂️
Thanks for cross-posting, Joyce! <3
Joyce is fabulous! I felt excited to read this piece because I turn 65 next month and I enjoy peeking into the life of someone a decade older and seeing how vibrant and engaged she is. Both aspirational and inspirational. And funny. Especially funny. While she isn't fond of her flat rear, well, what I wouldn't give!
I especially enjoy her positive references to Medicare and senior discounts. Yeah, baby! I've been telling my friends this for months and I can't figure why they don't see this milestone as a victory lap for those two things alone. Maybe they just haven't had to pay for not-great insurance as I have for a few years now. I may burn the old insurance card instead of candles on my cake.
As a newspaper columnist myself, certainly not for the New York Times though, I enjoy Joyce's vibe. Rock on, girlfriend.
She's sassy.... I like her. Was feeling Nora Ephron vibes.
Such an amazing article. So much to relate to at 54 and ongoing. Thank you.
This is hilarious—my favorite Oldster interview so far! Hilarious, and wise.
So fun! She seems like someone you want to be around. What energy!
Gorgeous and inspiring. Thanks for the chuckle.
I’ll read Joyce Wadler on butt pads, 70-year-old studs, anything at all. And she’s right about old babes in glasses, otherwise known as face jewelry.
Thank you, all! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm especially happy to bump into old friends here -- including Lucian Truscott, who encouraged me to get on Substack, Jeanne Fleming, who has been running the Greenwich Village Halloween parade for over forty years, and the brilliant cartoonists Carolita Johnson and Michael Quint. And to yet another cartoonist, who sent a note saying, "Send a picture of your ass": You're forty years too late, pal.
It's been a thrill to have you and your words and your photos here, Joyce. Thank you so much for taking The Oldster Magazine Questionnaire! <3
At 79, with a list of diagnoses as long as my arm, I wasn’t feeling old until seeing photos of friends my age. Word to the wise, have all photos taken while seated, back straight, and thinking about the best sex you can remember. Or imagine.
An amazingly funny and inspiring interview. Thank you Joyce and Sari.
I’m 75. I loved this. I try to approach the Great Dwindling with a sense of humor. Often it’s in the classic mode of “whistling past the graveyard,” but as long as I keep passing it I’m OK. I still have a passable ass. Hair, not so much. And I try to drink enough every evening that if I should clock out in the night my cremation will be a sight to see.
cannot recall the "exact moment" like you with ass but when i first saw my bald spot at 30 years old kneeling down to set a bi-fold mirrored closet door and caught sight of it my future as a monk i was fucking horrified then i dunno i just kinda said fuck it and carried on heh