Category: Getting Older

bookmark_borderI am my Grandmother

Posted on by Christine Elias

My Grandmother was crazy but I am not going to write about her at any length because a) you wouldn’t believe me and b) because I’m saving those bizarre stories for my book.

But one thing I will say is that she was obsessed with aging. She did not want to get older. She was convinced that there was an operation or special pills that could make her younger and that we (her uncaring family) were keeping this information from her so that she would be forced to get old and die.

I was thinking about her today because sometimes I get in a bad mood and dwell on my horrible childhood — okay, that’s not it — it wasn’t that bad when she wasn’t spanking me with a spoon or forgetting to feed me lunch.

I was thinking about her because I was reading O magazine and there was an article about aging with grace and acceptance.

After I read the item, I thought “screw that” — and then I realized I am my grandmother at 40.

bookmark_borderBut maybe special things are happening inside…

Posted on by Christine Elias

I’ve been walking home for a while now and I’ve been the chef at home with moderate success. Tomorrow is Oven Fried Tilapia night! (As far as fish go, Tilapia is about as bland as dry toast but I have high hopes for this dish as it promises “to taste almost fried.”)

I’m also trying to eat fruits and vegetables every damn day and I’ve cut down on coffee and pop.

So in the course of this new adventure in health, I have learned three things:

  1. I don’t really like cooking as much as I thought I might — it will never be a hobby. But I don’t hate it and it’s better than eating out all the time. I now think of it as a household chore along the lines of cleaning the bathroom — a necessary task that makes you feel better once it’s done well.

  2. I like walking. This wasn’t really a surprise but I was happy to rediscover this fact. What I like the best about my new habit is listening to documentaries along the way. I know that I will never like jogging, however.

  3. I feel pretty much the same. My knees still hurt sometimes and no aches and pains have suddenly evaporated. I still have crepey eyelid skin . But maybe special things are happening inside.