Hello and welcome to a community for old(er) women writers and readers on Substack, hosted by Debbie. Please introduce yourself in the comments! I'll go first...
Hi - I am Eliz McKoy and I am 61. I am loving substack and especially getting to know and read so many other Creative, strong and honest women. I started my substack Encore Artists in Jan (encoreartists.substack.com. ) I am a passionate visual artist, Educator and Mama of 5 amazing children (and a great Dog named Bella). I live in beautiful Sonoma county in California, and run a non-profit called ARTALUMA where I teach (live in person) adults, youth and teens visual art.
In 2020 we snuck away from Berkeley Ca during the beginning of the pandemic and relocated in the North Bay of SF. I took a brave leap and left my position as an Artistic Director of a successful theatre and school after 17 years when I realized I couldn't handle the stress anymore of my position. At 56 knew I needed to change my life sooner than later. I did and I LOVE the freedom, less anxiety and diversity of what I get to do now as a Visual artist, Teacher and Facilitator.
Two out of 5 kids are still younger and at home with us-(which I LOVE).
Turing 60 was a big number for me- I am worried about losing my energy, my ability to stay physically fit (I teach dance fitness and love walking), and most of all -memory loss (my mother at 84 is struggling with mild issues).
I am truly - loving reading and listening to so many folks (mostly women) on Substack who are living such authentic, creative and "imperfect" lives.
Hello! My name is Ellen Yaffa and I am brand new to (B)old Age (LOVE the title). While I'm new to this Substack, I am not new to (Bold) Age. At 77 years old, I have heard the clock ticking and felt the body changing, most especially since turning 75. I live in southern California, but am a Boston native. I have spent the past few years taking a deep dive into exploring what it feels like to be in life's third third. I am proud to say that I completed a book of flash essays on the topic that are both personal and universal. The flash narratives are accompanied by original collages that speak to the themes explored.
My summary thought is that the two leading characters in my third third are Time and Change, in an intimate dance moving together. A new awareness that the time left is less than ever before; and the many changes constantly appearing, especially physical ones. However, I have also encountered change via new or reframed opportunities now that time and space are, ironically, more expansive. I say "ironically" because time is one of the few constants we have, that is also relative. Time passes differently as we age; as we get older, it seems to whiz by just as we want it to linger.
I can't wait to dive into the contents of this Substack. I feel right at home. Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself. For those who are interested, this is the title and link to my book, which is available on Amazon: "Life's Third Third: It's About Time!"-- https://tinyurl.com/5c44zsv5
Hi Debbie, do you know that 70 is the new 50? That would be me and likely many women here. I've been a freelance writer, mainly focused on travel, for 24 years; before that I was a professional chef and film caterer. I've moved on to essays about my crazy life and dysfunctional family on https://janemundyconfesses.substack.com. Never thought I'd say this: it beats travel writing.
Hi, just came across this and I'm so glad to have found you! My name is Rosana Francescato, and I'm 63. I'm a clean energy communications consultant (for my paid work) and writer (for me) living in Oakland, California with my husband and two cats.
My Substack, Flower Child, examines life’s persistent questions from the perspective of the hidden generation between the Boomers and Gen X, which I've named the Flower Children (I realize someone else called in Gen Jones, but I like my name better): https://flowerchild.substack.com. I write about culture, climate, commas, and whatever else comes up. That sometimes includes aging, as in this recent post: https://flowerchild.substack.com/p/sweet-old-ladies.
I'm loving being in my 60s and have also been confronting the harsh realities of aging in our society as I deal with my elderly parents. My dad died in December at 93 after a long decline with a mysterious neurological ailment, and my 90-year-old mom is in early stages of dementia brought on by decades of too much Valium use + early stages of emphysema. I'm hoping to have better luck with aging than they did, and hoping our society learns to handle aging and death much better than we do now.
I have a YouTube Page where I practice Third Age Face Yoga and interview people about their Third Age or the services they provide to Third Agers. https://www.youtube.com/@thirdagemojo2220
Hey Debbie. I am starting to like this “ land of the old “ as it does come with some perks but many changes too.
I came to Substack upon recommendation from a Friend who follows Nadia Bolz Weber. She sent me a prayer Nadia wrote called, All I can offer you on this Monday morning is this Shitty Prayer!” Loved this and so I joined.
I have made 4 posts so far under the heading “Thoughts From Over the Hill.” I also talk about aging and how it is personal to me and others.
I am 66 years old and have been married to my husband Steve for 45 years. We have 3 grown daughters and 5 Grands.
Keep up with the [B]OLD Women posts. I love them!!!
Hello, I'm always happy to find women in their 70's on the web! I'm also a writer of fiction as well as essays and other nonfiction.I'm considering how to become a thought leader about international aid responses that serve women's recovery and ascendence. I live, write, and garden in Oakland, CA. www.SusanBurgessLent.com
Thanks. We are indeed living in interesting times. I hope America doesn't become a pariah ruled by oligarchs. I believe women are the key to change that enables us to survive and thrive.
Hi Debbie. How great to connect with you on “elderstack”! I’m a 71 year old Canadian, formerly a lawyer who published my first book, a work of historical nonfiction, two years ago with a small independent publisher (more about that here: https://www.marshafaubert.ca/). I plan to continue writing (maybe even my own Substack but the field looks pretty crowded) but a complicated life has gotten in the way recently. I’m all about gardens, Great Lakes, justice, and my WWll obsession.
Hi Debbie, I'm "going on" 80 (July) and started writing Coming of Aging here on Substack a year ago because I realized I hadn't given any thought to the Buddhist ASD (aging sickness and death). Writing for me is a way of knowing, and it feels like skipping or dancing or pulling on a thread of sleuthing. Aging this way is a spiritual practice... one after another your attachments present themselves to be seen, listened to, accepted and released. A lot of forgiveness. With every post I feel free-er but that doesn't mean they are light duty. I like to go to the root, the heart, the guts of the matter. Great to find you here and looking forward to learning from you. I realize i didn't say more about me. I live on Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest, with my cat and 2 tenants and a big garden and a small community. I've written two books, one a wild success, Your Money or Your Life, and one a sleeper (Blessing the Hands that Feed Us). I too had a podcast, What Could Possibly Go Right?
Hi Debbie. I’m 67, married for the second time after my first husband died in 2011. Our first few dates together were talking about our spouses (his wife had died too) and death in general. Not the usual ‘new date’ conversation, but fascinating! I have no children.
Having been a counsellor and trainer for much of my self-employed life, I’m also author of 2 books about grief and end of life planning.
I ‘retired’ about a year ago but have now come back to writing again here on Substack and am loving it.
I walk daily, do yoga 4 times a week, Pilates once, and ride my friends pony once or twice a week too. Generally I’m pretty healthy and grateful for it!
Hi Jane, welcome! I must admit that I read your recent post about “Manifesting Millions” and was both skeptical and rather amazed; can you write more about this for the dubious?? It sounds like magical thinking — but maybe it works! Sending all best for 2025.
lol! I know, I was like that initially too. Watch out for another post coming this week.
But basically I’d say it’s a consistent weekly opportunity to address one’s beliefs, thoughts and feelings about a lot of money.
With a spiritual basis too.
Joanna is quite wacky and not for everyone, but while she has one foot firmly in the esoteric, the other is equally as firmly in the practical world. Which appeals to me. Not sure if you took a look but just in case here’s the link. https://janedr--joannahunter.thrivecart.com/manifestmillions/
Hello Debbie. I am Sylvia, an 86 year old widow living in central France. It is deeply rural here. I share my home with a dog, two cats, and two hens. I also have two horses and a cat at a small private farm nearby. I care for these animals daily. My older horse is retired and I ride the younger one out regularly with great pleasure. I have 4 sons and 6 grandchildren who live in different parts of the world. One son and his family live nearby. I have recently joined Substack but have not yet posted here. I am writing memoirs about aging actively and adventurously. I enjoy watercolour sketching. I am in relatively good health and benefit from artificial hips and knees. Ongoing health challenges amount to no more than tendinitis and carpal tunnel. I am happy to have found this community and look forward to seeing how it develops as we share our experiences of aging.
Welcome Sylvia, how inspiring you are! Riding a horse at age 86 strikes me as quite remarkable, requiring both strength and flexibility! Your example reinforces my commitment to do much more strength training in 2025. I’ve been lazy and haphazard about that this past year… and I really noticed how much weaker I’ve become on our recent skiing trip in Japan. Onward!
Thank you for your comment, Debbie. I should say that horse riding takes many forms... I ride a horse I have owned for 10 years and whom I know well. We do not usually go out for more than 2 hours at a time, and we mostly walk. The old horse accompanies us at liberty as does the dog. However, you are right that the riding certainly contributes to my core and leg strength both of which are helpful at my age. But mostly I love being out in nature watching the seasons changing, watching the interactions of my animal companions and their responses to the farm and wild animals we meet along the way. The most adventurous last year was riding in the US Canyonlands area, Bryce, Red, Zion and the Grand Canyons. But all at a walk and riding as sight seers not sporty riding as we did in the past.
Hi Debbie. I'm enjoying [B]old Age! Thanks for creating such a welcoming space for other writers. I'm just getting started with your Substack, and can't wait to read more. I'm an author and musician. I've been publishing a weekly newsletter called The Hump Day Gazette for the last two years. The Gazette was born out of a need to lighten my own mood. While I often write about serious subjects, I include humor in my articles whenever I can. Laughter is the best coping mechanism for getting through the hard times. Thanks for the opportunity to share my work with you and your readers! https://jannazonder.substack.com/
I hope I'm okay to post this! I am a 33-year-old PhD student and psychotherapist from Manchester, UK. I stumbled across your Substack and was instantly hooked! For years, I have been interested in why research into social media and the internet more widely focuses almost exclusively on teenagers and young people. Research on older adults tends to focus on a deficit mindset and consistently forgets to acknowledge the role of older adults as content creators and trailblazers!!
Therefore, as my PhD research project I decided to investigate the experiences of older adults (aged 65+) on Substack and how this impacts their wider well-being.
Thank you for your wonderful and inspiring Substack!
Hi Nikki. I publish a weekly newsletter on Substack called The Hump Day Gazette. When you're looking for people to interview, I'd be happy to help. You can reach me at jannazonder@substack.com
Nikki, I was just about to leave a comment on your first post! Great idea to solicit help with your research on Substack. I'd love to learn more; you can contact me at my Substack email: debbieweil@substack.com
I'm 77! Imagine. I can't. My most recent Substack is about my very recent hip replacement (left) surgery. Please check it out at The Armchair Journalist, @nancy jainchill. One of the things I note is that the experience didn't make me feel old or older. Go figure.
Hello, My name is Phebe (Karen) Beiser. I’m 74 and married to a woman, Cathy, who one year ago was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I am her only caretaker right now. Have written poems & journalled about this, so far not on Substack.
I am brand new to writing in Substack — so far about the Election but soon to share more personal musings from my life.
I consider myself foremost a poet but co-authored a book with Rashma Kalsie in New Delhi, India. The book is The Buddha & the Bitch: 2 Women, 2 Worlds, 1 Practice (Hay House, New Delhi, c2018 with new and used copies available on Amazon). We tell the story of chatting via the internet, becoming friends in spite of our differences (she youngish, heterosexual, married, with a daughter/me oldish, lesbian, single at the time). Eventually I visited her (2013) and we travelled to South India to organize topics for this book we h inside us. The book tells about our journey from New Delhi to Pondicherry as well as our personal journeys as women writers, as spiritual beings, and inquisitive people. In 2018 I returned to do some promotion of the book and celebrate our success!
I am co-founder of the Ohio Lesbian Archives in Cincinnati, Ohio. Now in our 35th year, OLA is the only LGBTQ collection of newspapers, flyers, records of the former Crazy Ladies Bookstore, artwork, buttons, photographs, personal journals, and more—all centered on greater Cincinnati & the region. After seventeen years in a church basement, we moved to an historic building in Over the Rhine area downtown. For more info, https://ohiolesbianarchives.org.
I “own” that I am now an Elder. I lost two women close to me in 2019–a partner Janice and a best friend Bev. I have been dealing with their passings ever since. Grief and loss have become important topics as I age and grapple with the reality of death.
Dogs are my close companions as well as an ornery tabby cat. They lighten my life.
Hello all! I am Shana, 70 years old, Blackfoot-German-Welsh ancestry. A Washington and Alaska person, the past 4 years I have been part of my Mom’s care team here in Texas hill country. I bought a tiny house and live blue in a red state. I write about trauma, resilience, and whatever is front and center in my life — most recently a trip to French Polynesia. I have two websites about my trauma healing work: organizationaltraumaandhealing.com and thetorchcollective.org. My Substack is Healing Circles. Very happy to have found you!
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i8Z0!,w_80,h_80,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdaaca764-d8d6-4a1b-bf58-61dbb72810fc_842x842.png)
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i8Z0!,w_36,h_36,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdaaca764-d8d6-4a1b-bf58-61dbb72810fc_842x842.png)
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fEcd!,e_trim:10:white/e_trim:10:transparent/h_72,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F95ad4442-e435-4ebc-a8d2-9c9b89a8bdb6_2100x400.png)
Hi - I am Eliz McKoy and I am 61. I am loving substack and especially getting to know and read so many other Creative, strong and honest women. I started my substack Encore Artists in Jan (encoreartists.substack.com. ) I am a passionate visual artist, Educator and Mama of 5 amazing children (and a great Dog named Bella). I live in beautiful Sonoma county in California, and run a non-profit called ARTALUMA where I teach (live in person) adults, youth and teens visual art.
In 2020 we snuck away from Berkeley Ca during the beginning of the pandemic and relocated in the North Bay of SF. I took a brave leap and left my position as an Artistic Director of a successful theatre and school after 17 years when I realized I couldn't handle the stress anymore of my position. At 56 knew I needed to change my life sooner than later. I did and I LOVE the freedom, less anxiety and diversity of what I get to do now as a Visual artist, Teacher and Facilitator.
Two out of 5 kids are still younger and at home with us-(which I LOVE).
Turing 60 was a big number for me- I am worried about losing my energy, my ability to stay physically fit (I teach dance fitness and love walking), and most of all -memory loss (my mother at 84 is struggling with mild issues).
I am truly - loving reading and listening to so many folks (mostly women) on Substack who are living such authentic, creative and "imperfect" lives.
So happy to be here!
Eliz McKoy
Hello! My name is Ellen Yaffa and I am brand new to (B)old Age (LOVE the title). While I'm new to this Substack, I am not new to (Bold) Age. At 77 years old, I have heard the clock ticking and felt the body changing, most especially since turning 75. I live in southern California, but am a Boston native. I have spent the past few years taking a deep dive into exploring what it feels like to be in life's third third. I am proud to say that I completed a book of flash essays on the topic that are both personal and universal. The flash narratives are accompanied by original collages that speak to the themes explored.
My summary thought is that the two leading characters in my third third are Time and Change, in an intimate dance moving together. A new awareness that the time left is less than ever before; and the many changes constantly appearing, especially physical ones. However, I have also encountered change via new or reframed opportunities now that time and space are, ironically, more expansive. I say "ironically" because time is one of the few constants we have, that is also relative. Time passes differently as we age; as we get older, it seems to whiz by just as we want it to linger.
I can't wait to dive into the contents of this Substack. I feel right at home. Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself. For those who are interested, this is the title and link to my book, which is available on Amazon: "Life's Third Third: It's About Time!"-- https://tinyurl.com/5c44zsv5
Hi Debbie, do you know that 70 is the new 50? That would be me and likely many women here. I've been a freelance writer, mainly focused on travel, for 24 years; before that I was a professional chef and film caterer. I've moved on to essays about my crazy life and dysfunctional family on https://janemundyconfesses.substack.com. Never thought I'd say this: it beats travel writing.
Hi, just came across this and I'm so glad to have found you! My name is Rosana Francescato, and I'm 63. I'm a clean energy communications consultant (for my paid work) and writer (for me) living in Oakland, California with my husband and two cats.
My Substack, Flower Child, examines life’s persistent questions from the perspective of the hidden generation between the Boomers and Gen X, which I've named the Flower Children (I realize someone else called in Gen Jones, but I like my name better): https://flowerchild.substack.com. I write about culture, climate, commas, and whatever else comes up. That sometimes includes aging, as in this recent post: https://flowerchild.substack.com/p/sweet-old-ladies.
I'm loving being in my 60s and have also been confronting the harsh realities of aging in our society as I deal with my elderly parents. My dad died in December at 93 after a long decline with a mysterious neurological ailment, and my 90-year-old mom is in early stages of dementia brought on by decades of too much Valium use + early stages of emphysema. I'm hoping to have better luck with aging than they did, and hoping our society learns to handle aging and death much better than we do now.
Hi, Debbie,
I'm Cat Stone, and I just turned 70.
I've never felt better, and my creative juices are flowing.
I have a business called Third Age Mojo https://thirdagemojo.com/.
I have a YouTube Page where I practice Third Age Face Yoga and interview people about their Third Age or the services they provide to Third Agers. https://www.youtube.com/@thirdagemojo2220
I'm just now dipping my toe into substack. https://cat176.substack.com/publish/posts.
It's nice to meet you. We've got similar interests, don't we?
In health and wellness,
Cat
Hey Debbie. I am starting to like this “ land of the old “ as it does come with some perks but many changes too.
I came to Substack upon recommendation from a Friend who follows Nadia Bolz Weber. She sent me a prayer Nadia wrote called, All I can offer you on this Monday morning is this Shitty Prayer!” Loved this and so I joined.
I have made 4 posts so far under the heading “Thoughts From Over the Hill.” I also talk about aging and how it is personal to me and others.
I am 66 years old and have been married to my husband Steve for 45 years. We have 3 grown daughters and 5 Grands.
Keep up with the [B]OLD Women posts. I love them!!!
Hello, I'm always happy to find women in their 70's on the web! I'm also a writer of fiction as well as essays and other nonfiction.I'm considering how to become a thought leader about international aid responses that serve women's recovery and ascendence. I live, write, and garden in Oakland, CA. www.SusanBurgessLent.com
Susan, welcome to Substack; how interesting!
Thanks. We are indeed living in interesting times. I hope America doesn't become a pariah ruled by oligarchs. I believe women are the key to change that enables us to survive and thrive.
Hi Debbie. How great to connect with you on “elderstack”! I’m a 71 year old Canadian, formerly a lawyer who published my first book, a work of historical nonfiction, two years ago with a small independent publisher (more about that here: https://www.marshafaubert.ca/). I plan to continue writing (maybe even my own Substack but the field looks pretty crowded) but a complicated life has gotten in the way recently. I’m all about gardens, Great Lakes, justice, and my WWll obsession.
Hi Debbie, I'm "going on" 80 (July) and started writing Coming of Aging here on Substack a year ago because I realized I hadn't given any thought to the Buddhist ASD (aging sickness and death). Writing for me is a way of knowing, and it feels like skipping or dancing or pulling on a thread of sleuthing. Aging this way is a spiritual practice... one after another your attachments present themselves to be seen, listened to, accepted and released. A lot of forgiveness. With every post I feel free-er but that doesn't mean they are light duty. I like to go to the root, the heart, the guts of the matter. Great to find you here and looking forward to learning from you. I realize i didn't say more about me. I live on Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest, with my cat and 2 tenants and a big garden and a small community. I've written two books, one a wild success, Your Money or Your Life, and one a sleeper (Blessing the Hands that Feed Us). I too had a podcast, What Could Possibly Go Right?
Hi Debbie. I’m 67, married for the second time after my first husband died in 2011. Our first few dates together were talking about our spouses (his wife had died too) and death in general. Not the usual ‘new date’ conversation, but fascinating! I have no children.
Having been a counsellor and trainer for much of my self-employed life, I’m also author of 2 books about grief and end of life planning.
I ‘retired’ about a year ago but have now come back to writing again here on Substack and am loving it.
I walk daily, do yoga 4 times a week, Pilates once, and ride my friends pony once or twice a week too. Generally I’m pretty healthy and grateful for it!
Hi Jane, welcome! I must admit that I read your recent post about “Manifesting Millions” and was both skeptical and rather amazed; can you write more about this for the dubious?? It sounds like magical thinking — but maybe it works! Sending all best for 2025.
lol! I know, I was like that initially too. Watch out for another post coming this week.
But basically I’d say it’s a consistent weekly opportunity to address one’s beliefs, thoughts and feelings about a lot of money.
With a spiritual basis too.
Joanna is quite wacky and not for everyone, but while she has one foot firmly in the esoteric, the other is equally as firmly in the practical world. Which appeals to me. Not sure if you took a look but just in case here’s the link. https://janedr--joannahunter.thrivecart.com/manifestmillions/
fyi I am NOT endorsing this program… overt “selling” is really out of place on Substack—well, at least my corner of Substack.
Yes, you may be right about that. I am feeling my way here, being a newbie. Thanks for the feedback.
Hello Debbie. I am Sylvia, an 86 year old widow living in central France. It is deeply rural here. I share my home with a dog, two cats, and two hens. I also have two horses and a cat at a small private farm nearby. I care for these animals daily. My older horse is retired and I ride the younger one out regularly with great pleasure. I have 4 sons and 6 grandchildren who live in different parts of the world. One son and his family live nearby. I have recently joined Substack but have not yet posted here. I am writing memoirs about aging actively and adventurously. I enjoy watercolour sketching. I am in relatively good health and benefit from artificial hips and knees. Ongoing health challenges amount to no more than tendinitis and carpal tunnel. I am happy to have found this community and look forward to seeing how it develops as we share our experiences of aging.
Welcome Sylvia, how inspiring you are! Riding a horse at age 86 strikes me as quite remarkable, requiring both strength and flexibility! Your example reinforces my commitment to do much more strength training in 2025. I’ve been lazy and haphazard about that this past year… and I really noticed how much weaker I’ve become on our recent skiing trip in Japan. Onward!
Thank you for your comment, Debbie. I should say that horse riding takes many forms... I ride a horse I have owned for 10 years and whom I know well. We do not usually go out for more than 2 hours at a time, and we mostly walk. The old horse accompanies us at liberty as does the dog. However, you are right that the riding certainly contributes to my core and leg strength both of which are helpful at my age. But mostly I love being out in nature watching the seasons changing, watching the interactions of my animal companions and their responses to the farm and wild animals we meet along the way. The most adventurous last year was riding in the US Canyonlands area, Bryce, Red, Zion and the Grand Canyons. But all at a walk and riding as sight seers not sporty riding as we did in the past.
Hi Debbie. I'm enjoying [B]old Age! Thanks for creating such a welcoming space for other writers. I'm just getting started with your Substack, and can't wait to read more. I'm an author and musician. I've been publishing a weekly newsletter called The Hump Day Gazette for the last two years. The Gazette was born out of a need to lighten my own mood. While I often write about serious subjects, I include humor in my articles whenever I can. Laughter is the best coping mechanism for getting through the hard times. Thanks for the opportunity to share my work with you and your readers! https://jannazonder.substack.com/
Welcome Jenna and thank you!
Hi Debbie,
I hope I'm okay to post this! I am a 33-year-old PhD student and psychotherapist from Manchester, UK. I stumbled across your Substack and was instantly hooked! For years, I have been interested in why research into social media and the internet more widely focuses almost exclusively on teenagers and young people. Research on older adults tends to focus on a deficit mindset and consistently forgets to acknowledge the role of older adults as content creators and trailblazers!!
Therefore, as my PhD research project I decided to investigate the experiences of older adults (aged 65+) on Substack and how this impacts their wider well-being.
Thank you for your wonderful and inspiring Substack!
Nikki
Hi Nikki. I publish a weekly newsletter on Substack called The Hump Day Gazette. When you're looking for people to interview, I'd be happy to help. You can reach me at jannazonder@substack.com
Nikki, I was just about to leave a comment on your first post! Great idea to solicit help with your research on Substack. I'd love to learn more; you can contact me at my Substack email: debbieweil@substack.com
I'm 77! Imagine. I can't. My most recent Substack is about my very recent hip replacement (left) surgery. Please check it out at The Armchair Journalist, @nancy jainchill. One of the things I note is that the experience didn't make me feel old or older. Go figure.
Hello, My name is Phebe (Karen) Beiser. I’m 74 and married to a woman, Cathy, who one year ago was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I am her only caretaker right now. Have written poems & journalled about this, so far not on Substack.
I am brand new to writing in Substack — so far about the Election but soon to share more personal musings from my life.
I consider myself foremost a poet but co-authored a book with Rashma Kalsie in New Delhi, India. The book is The Buddha & the Bitch: 2 Women, 2 Worlds, 1 Practice (Hay House, New Delhi, c2018 with new and used copies available on Amazon). We tell the story of chatting via the internet, becoming friends in spite of our differences (she youngish, heterosexual, married, with a daughter/me oldish, lesbian, single at the time). Eventually I visited her (2013) and we travelled to South India to organize topics for this book we h inside us. The book tells about our journey from New Delhi to Pondicherry as well as our personal journeys as women writers, as spiritual beings, and inquisitive people. In 2018 I returned to do some promotion of the book and celebrate our success!
I am co-founder of the Ohio Lesbian Archives in Cincinnati, Ohio. Now in our 35th year, OLA is the only LGBTQ collection of newspapers, flyers, records of the former Crazy Ladies Bookstore, artwork, buttons, photographs, personal journals, and more—all centered on greater Cincinnati & the region. After seventeen years in a church basement, we moved to an historic building in Over the Rhine area downtown. For more info, https://ohiolesbianarchives.org.
I “own” that I am now an Elder. I lost two women close to me in 2019–a partner Janice and a best friend Bev. I have been dealing with their passings ever since. Grief and loss have become important topics as I age and grapple with the reality of death.
Dogs are my close companions as well as an ornery tabby cat. They lighten my life.
Hello all! I am Shana, 70 years old, Blackfoot-German-Welsh ancestry. A Washington and Alaska person, the past 4 years I have been part of my Mom’s care team here in Texas hill country. I bought a tiny house and live blue in a red state. I write about trauma, resilience, and whatever is front and center in my life — most recently a trip to French Polynesia. I have two websites about my trauma healing work: organizationaltraumaandhealing.com and thetorchcollective.org. My Substack is Healing Circles. Very happy to have found you!