Comments for Mel Walsh---Catching Life's Second Wind

Comment on How to Beat the Heat When You’re 50+ and Bikini-Challenged by Lily

Lily — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:41:17 +0000

Lily adds : run cold water on your wrists, elbits (elbow pits – they need a word of their own), and put your feet in a cold tub of water. Lie down and put a cold folded washcloth on your forehead.
Turn it over when it gets warm. Stay cool, girls!!

Comment on How to Beat the Heat When You’re 50+ and Bikini-Challenged by Margaret

Margaret — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:17:33 +0000

A rag-wrapped baggie of ice cubes applied to the inside of the wrists or just under the ears does it for me. So does a whole-house fan turned on at night, if it’s in the budget.

Comment on Checking Out of Checking In: Why Older Women Still Check Their Luggage and What to Do Instead by melwalsh50

melwalsh50 — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:52:52 +0000

Hey, Susan, I’ve seen that rollaboard suitcase you travel with. Very cool design. I also remember that you travel with Foxcroft shirts, no iron, quick dry.
What I am discovering is that it makes sense to travel the same light way by car—say visits with kids and grandkids. Maybe I’ll add one light garment bag with a hanger or two of clothes. So much easier than struggling with a lot of stuff up their steps and cluttering up their houses with it.
Toiletries—that’s a tough one. Am down to foundation, lipstick, eyeliner, lotion, shampoo and conditioner. My hair is getting long enough for the dreaded scrunchy. I don’t know why the characters in Sex in the City make such fun of it or why the media do when Hillary wears one. Such a good way to hold the hair back and doesn’t pull out hair like a rubber band. I guess I’d rather be dorky than straggly.
Thanks for writing,
Mel

Comment on Checking Out of Checking In: Why Older Women Still Check Their Luggage and What to Do Instead by Susan Klee

Susan Klee — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:27:55 +0000

Yaay! Mel! Travel Lite is my motto, too. I can travel for weeks with a wheelie-on. The requirement? A very high boredom threshold We are going to wear the same thing over and over and over again.
For a suitcase to fit “underneath the seat in front of you,” it must be no more than about 8″ deep — yup, that’s all.
I have never (never) been refused help to hoist a suitcase into to the overhead bin when I ask a man or younger woman with long arms.
Altho I have tried the packing cubes, I find I can get more (very light) clothes into my 21″ x 14″ x 8″ suitcase by laying everything flat.
What takes up the room in my wheelie-on is toiletries. Yes, I put everything into tiny bottles and re-fill them wherever I go. (It’s fun to look into “foreign” drugstores.) Still . . . foundation, concealer, lipstick, shampoo, gel, spritz — it takes up room! And remember: the liquids and gels must go into a one-quart transparent Zip-loc baggie. Is that why many women prefer to wait at the carousels after their flights: they can pack larger units of liquids & gels in check-through luggage?
Thanks, Mel! Great travel advice.

Comment on The 3,000 Mile Umbilical Cord by melwalsh50

melwalsh50 — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:29:43 +0000

Ruth, thanks to you too for the Amens.

Comment on Mirror, Mirror: Giving Up Those Face Patrols by melwalsh50

melwalsh50 — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:28:29 +0000

Sue, Contrast your friend to my mom, who, because of being legally blind, had not seen herself clearly in a mirror for decades. Then she too had an operation that cleared up her sight and she too was surprised by the aging she saw on her face. But she was just interested in what happens to a face over time and not depressed by the results. Instead, she and I celebrated the return of her vision by driving through New England in the fall, seeing the maples and looking at the paintings in the museums that were in our celebration path. Was I not lucky to have her as a mentor? I hope your friend comes to realize how blessed she is—first, to still be alive on this little blue planet at 80 and second, for having you as a friend. Best to both of you and thanks for writing. Mel

Comment on Mirror, Mirror: Giving Up Those Face Patrols by Sue Chinn

Sue Chinn — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:36:23 +0000

A very lively popular and attractive 80-year-old I know came to me yesterday in dome distress. “oh dear,” she said” I have just had a cateract operation and LOOK–I am wrinkly! Isn’t it terrible! I look awful!!” and on she went, uncomforted by any words –and slave to her mirrored image. I have sent this post off to her (she has become a Silver Surfer, I suspect in order to use internet dating sites!).

Comment on The 3,000 Mile Umbilical Cord by Helen

Helen — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 04:06:35 +0000

So true. I joined Facebook to keep that connection. My relationship with my children adds great richness to my life. Now if I could just figure out how to relate to two fast-moving grandsons on short visits, when I’m trying to do up the laundry! Next visit, I vow to play Yahtzee and checkers.

Comment on The 3,000 Mile Umbilical Cord by Ruth

Ruth — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:04:46 +0000

Amen, and amen again!
Ruth

Comment on The 3,000 Mile Umbilical Cord by John

John — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:03:20 +0000

You’re not alone on this….