When Ruth and I were mere girls of 60 or so, wrapping up the coffee date that sealed our friendship, she made a declaration about the next phase of her life.
Rona -- It's one thing to call yourself spry and another thing entirely to have someone (who inevitably smirks with condescension) call you that. I won't back down!
And, as long as you have me ranting, please add to my list of don't-call-me's, "sweet." That's now become a synonym for docile and toothless, almost always applied to older women or abandoned animals looking to be rescued. No, no, no!
"Oh to be spry forever." What a great closer! (I somehow mistakenly un-subscribed to you and only just now noticed. No idea how that happened. I'm back now.)
Superb piece of writing! Thank you. At 72? So far, so good fingers crossed. And my neighbour, Margo, at 89 catches the bus and swirls around town shopping and lunching with glorious energy!
You have the perfect handle on an energetic life. I suspect that everyone of any age feels pain somewhere on their body at some time, but we can all hide pain, can't we, amongst a multitude of props - clothes, makeup, expression, activity? In amongst all of that there's a load of secrets.
Maybe mostly we're trying to fool ourselves and if that's what it takes to be lithe and nimble, so be it!
Love this! Love the word spry... I’m going to start using it around the senior center where I play pickleball with all ages. I’m going to say to the 60-70 year olds... be spry like me! I’m going to say Alexa... play spry music! 😁The dictionary needs an update... nothing elderly about us! 😊🫶
Thank you for these wise thoughts, Rona. A high-school friend just visited, a cellist, telling me with sweet regret that she can't play the fast pieces any more, her fingers and eyes just won't do it. So, we decided, just play the slower pieces. Dance whenever and wherever possible. Our bodies are not what they were, but our spirits are so very much better, wiser, grounded. (And to think, I almost had a steamy encounter with the Kinks during their Canadian tour in 1967!)
Beautiful Rona. I hope to have the will to not just live but to live abundantly like you when I’m there ❤️
You will. You are getting lots of practice.
Another wonderful piece, Rona! This one had me cackling out loud. Oh, my God, those Google examples of spry in a sentence spot on.
Thanks, Holly. I love making readers laugh.
Rona -- It's one thing to call yourself spry and another thing entirely to have someone (who inevitably smirks with condescension) call you that. I won't back down!
And, as long as you have me ranting, please add to my list of don't-call-me's, "sweet." That's now become a synonym for docile and toothless, almost always applied to older women or abandoned animals looking to be rescued. No, no, no!
xxRuth
I smile when someone younger calls me "sweet."
There's no reason to correct them. They'll find out soon enough.
You forgot "dear!" What an omission! "Hon," from you, is okay.
"Oh to be spry forever." What a great closer! (I somehow mistakenly un-subscribed to you and only just now noticed. No idea how that happened. I'm back now.)
It's not easy to unsubscribe on Substack. Glad you're back.
Looks like i was never gone... This piece by you on a different substack that I wasn't subscribed to confused me! aaaarrrggghhhh!!! All is fine now.
Oh! I see this is a different substack...? Okay, looks like i'm subscribed to both!
Happy to have you here, Mary. It’s a genial place.
Thanks, Alice!
A wonderful rendition of your view of 'spry'. I get it!
Just lovely.
Thank you!
love this - just love this
Superb piece of writing! Thank you. At 72? So far, so good fingers crossed. And my neighbour, Margo, at 89 catches the bus and swirls around town shopping and lunching with glorious energy!
Go, Chrissie and Margo! After a certain age, it's all "so far, so good." And that's plenty good enough.
And people still think I’m 10 years younger than I am. I look and see my wrinkles but I’m learning that if I don’t care, no one else will! 🙌
Such an 'agile' post!
Spry? Good God! Fit, I'd say.
You have the perfect handle on an energetic life. I suspect that everyone of any age feels pain somewhere on their body at some time, but we can all hide pain, can't we, amongst a multitude of props - clothes, makeup, expression, activity? In amongst all of that there's a load of secrets.
Maybe mostly we're trying to fool ourselves and if that's what it takes to be lithe and nimble, so be it!
Thank you for the perfect read for a 72 year old.
Your writing is anything but spry - energetic, elegant and excellent!
Wonderful to hear.
Love this! Love the word spry... I’m going to start using it around the senior center where I play pickleball with all ages. I’m going to say to the 60-70 year olds... be spry like me! I’m going to say Alexa... play spry music! 😁The dictionary needs an update... nothing elderly about us! 😊🫶
Let's be spry together, Joan!
The perfect accompaniment to my cup of coffee. Thanks.
Thank you!
Thank you for these wise thoughts, Rona. A high-school friend just visited, a cellist, telling me with sweet regret that she can't play the fast pieces any more, her fingers and eyes just won't do it. So, we decided, just play the slower pieces. Dance whenever and wherever possible. Our bodies are not what they were, but our spirits are so very much better, wiser, grounded. (And to think, I almost had a steamy encounter with the Kinks during their Canadian tour in 1967!)
Oh, you’ve noticed there are Kinks fans here.
“Furiously pedaled to nowhere” — wow, I love that line.
Me too, sounds like me, daily.
Aww, thanks. I was proud of that one.
Love this, as always. I can’t wear even pretty flats anymore, but when My Generation comes on I am up and dancing without pain.
“My Generation:” the secret of eternal youth.
And The Kinks’ greatest hits.
Lalalala Lola! Irresistible and ahead of its time.
Work hard to stay spry so one doesn't become decrepit is one way to look at it! I love how the words flow as we age.