Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything and here we are in the year I turn 62. There are a lot of good things about this and some that I’d rather not think about.

I’m above ground! I never really thought about this fact when I was younger, but the older I’ve gotten, the more I see that it is a gift to have gotten to this age, not a given. In most places, I am freely given the senior discount by the youngster behind the counter, which several years ago pissed me off, but today I just embrace the savings, remembering how when I was their age I thought 40 was old.

Retirement! I’ve been officially retired from full-time work for almost five years. If I’m honest with myself, I really miss working — interacting with creative people and using my skillset to develop new projects and materials. I’m still exploring ways to harness similar feelings through volunteer organizations and activities, but I haven’t nailed it yet. It’s definitely a work in progress. It is wonderful waking up when I want to, listening to a true crime podcast or audiobook while walking aimlessly in the middle of the day as I strive for 10,000 steps, and shopping when most people are still at work. All in all, the plusses far outweigh the negatives!

Friends! I’ve been around so long now that I have friends in all corners of the world. Some of them are Insta-friends I keep up with online and reach out to if I’m in their neck of the woods. Others I keep up with from more of a distance, almost like a friendly stalker. And then there are the ones I talk to, text, and meet up with to do fun things. I’m always amazed that I’m still friends with people from junior high school and college — that is sooo long ago, yet it feels like yesterday that we were that age. Then there are friends who are gone. Those who made the decision to leave early and several others who had that decision made for them; either way, it hurts to think about them, but it’s also wonderful to think about them.

Movies, Streaming & Books! Creativity is a wonderful thing. Every year, there are so many new movies, TV shows, and books that my “to-do” list constantly grows. The list is long, but I thought I’d share some of my recent favorites (in no particular order): Film — Poor Things (wonderful look and feel, fun story, lots of sex), Anatomy of a Fall (you’ll talk about it after it’s over), American Fiction (smart and fun); Streaming — Beef (just wow and Steven Yuen), Top Boy (the British Wire?), Last of Us (great storytelling), Bear (more please!), Jury Duty (fun and endearing); Books — Hamnet (beautiful), Demon Copperhead (a new classic), Holly (if you love SK…).

I’m like the CryptKeeper! I know exactly how Lindsay Lohan felt in Freaky Friday when she looked in the mirror after she switched bodies with Jamie Lee Curtis…getting old really does sneak up on you. And as my mom always says, “it’s not for the faint of heart.” There are things that I saw on older people, but just never thought would happen to me. Why would my skin get crepey after all the moisturizer I use? Wouldn’t the use (overuse) of Tretinoin stop wrinkles from lining my face? How would my legs not remain toned after all the miles I’ve run? And the list goes on…everyday there’s a new age spot or my eyelids are looking even more droopy than the day before. Of course, most of this happens to everyone so at least there are a lot of people to commiserate with, but I do wish Instagram and Facebook would quit targeting me with magical face creams and 5-minute-a-day underarm toning exercise routines.

Enough musings for one day…until next time. Now I have to go reread the Google result on which order to apply my moisturizer, serum, sunscreen and foundation! I read it last month, but have already forgotten. And did I forget to mention that senior moments are a real thing?