This weekend, we celebrated Labor Day with a party up to Dot and Tommy’s camp. The usual gang was there. Late yesterday morning, Charlie and me and Celeste and Bud went out in some kayaks they have up there. We all looked pretty good paddling around, kind of athletic really. But after an hour or so of sitting in one position, you best avert your eyes when it comes time to get out of them boats. Holy Walter Brennan, Batman!
Ain’t aging wonderful?
Last week, I walked by the bathroom and glimpsed Charlie in there checking out the hair in his ears and nose. “Time to get out the router rooter, dear,” I says.
“Very funny!” he replied. Then I hear him mutter under his breath, “If I could only get it to grow like this on my head.”
Nowadays, when I take a nap and my face gets a couple of creases in it from the pillow, you wouldn’t believe how long it takes for them creases to go away. We’re talking hours. The tide has turned, and no amount of collagen moisturizer is capable of putting that baby bounce back into my skin.
Or, I’ll be setting the table for dinner when I notice that while I wasn’t paying attention, someone attached my mother’s hands to my arms. Then, I start looking at my arms and see that creepiness on the inside of my elbow. So, I go into the bathroom and check the outside of my elbow. That’s still OK. Not too saggy. But while I’m in there, I look at myself head on in the mirror, and spend a few minutes pulling the skin taut on my neck, which makes me look ten years younger and ten pounds thinner. Then, the potatoes boil over, and bring me back to reality.
I don’t do this all the time or anything. It’s just that every once in a while, I really see myself. Not like how I was or how want to be, but as I am at this moment, and it brings me up short.
I’m not up for Botox or plastic surgery, though. I mean, who has money for that? Besides, “elective surgery” is an oxymoron in my book. And I think these celebrities with no laugh lines, puffy lips and firms necks look kind of unnatural. Some of them don’t even resemble themselves anymore. Faye Dunaway? Need I say more?
Still, it’s nice to know us women aren’t the only ones who spend time thinking about how we’re aging. Men do it too. Yet I’m always surprised when Charlie seems concerned about it. I don’t think of him as being that aware of his looks, but I guess he is.
Like when we’re talking about a celebrity or politician, someone we just met at a party, and Charlie gets all wistful and says, “He sure has a good head of hair.”
Oh well, it’s good to know we’re in this together! Happy Labor Day, everyone!
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
IDA’S PODCAST: The Tide Has Turned
Ida’s New Show Preimiere’s This Week
September 8 & 9: Makin’ Whoopie!, ACT ONE Beyond Festival, http://actonenh.org/ Friday at 7:30pm and Saturday at 2:00pm & 7:30pm, Portsmouth, NH
September 15 & 16: Makin’ Whoopie!, ACT ONE Beyond Festival, http://actonenh.org/ Friday at 7:30pm and Saturday at 2:00pm, Portsmouth, NH
September 29 & 30: Makin’ Whoopie!, The Footlights Theatre, http://www.thefootlightsinfalmouth.com/ Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm, Falmouth, ME
Also coming up in September
September 18: Book Reading, Franco-Amercian Centre, http://umaine.edu/francoamerican/University of Maine, 6:00pm, Orono, ME
September 19: Book Reading, Old Town Library, http://old-town.lib.me.us/ Tuesday Forum Luncheon: 11am-1pm, FREE catered light lunch is served from 11am-12pm with presentation from 12-1pm, call to reserve, Old Town, ME
September 19: Book Reading, Dirigo Pines Retirement Community, http://www.dirigopines.com/ 7:15pm, Orono, ME
With Caitlin’s help, I’ve finally learned to update the schedule on my website. Check it out here: http://www.idaswebsite.com/schedule/