I Want To Be an Old Lady and The Shock Factor

(Custom Portrait 2007- Emmanuel)
One of the problems with aging is watching your friends age with you. It’s a constant reminder of how old you are getting.

People completely change in appearance (whisper: it’s not for the better by the most part). Along with complaints of a myriad of old age maladies; it’s as if some just stop caring about how they look. I know it’s not good to focus on such things, but let’s get real for a minute: We all think about it and pretend we don’t.

And to those youngsters sitting there right now thinking, ‘I’ve got years before I have to deal with it.’ Think again! It’s happening to you as you read this.

It’s always a bit of shock when I see an old friend after period of years. I saw my ex-husband after about 12-15 years. The first thing he said to me was, “You look great. You look just like you used to!”

Although flattered, I stood frozen and looked at this wrinkled grey liar, trying desperately to find some semblance of the individual I was actually married to for a decade and bore two children. It sounded like him, but I wouldn’t have recognized him if I passed him on street.

Don’t worry. I didn’t tell him he looked like hell. I said something like, “It’s nice to see you also.” (The Tyler's. Custom Portrait - done from photo-2009)
Then this weekend I watched a movie (2007/ Away From Her) with the Oscar winning British actress Julie Christie. Checking her bio on the internet, I found she’s 67 years old. Her hair is grey and she’s clad with an abundance of wrinkles that define her age. The tale-tell signs of natural aging around her eyes and neck made it clear she hasn’t had cosmetic surgery.

I was absolutely mesmerized by her. You know, I think she is actually more beautiful now than she ever was as young star.

I guess it’s truly how you feel about your age or even more definitively- yourself. You can welcome your age and incorporate it into who you are with gusto and health -or you can look like my ex-husband. (Just kidding)

There is a medical insurance commercial whose lyrics are ‘I want to be an old lady when I grow up.’ It shows elderly women of every size and shape enjoying life to the max.

You know what? I want to be an old lady just like that also.

So, how do you feel about the aging process- and be honest!
Vikki
And BTW, the drawings I’ve been doing recently can be ‘had for a charm’. They’re relatively fast for me to do and inexpensive to ship. They come in a mailing tube. I can’t quote a price because it’s subject dependant. But- if you think you might like one; you can contact me here and tell me what you’re thinking about.

The top image is done in Conte Crayon. The middle is a quick charcoal sketch. Please visit the Red Chair Gallery.

Marsh Mallows & Peeing in a Jar

In the past couple years, I’ve really gotten into gardening and there’s a nursery that I frequent. Recently I went there and over heard a woman asking for ‘marshmallows’. She needed them in some recipe she was creating. The clerk acted like the woman was crazy and abruptly told her that she was in a nursery not a grocery store. Then she laughed and directed the woman to the aisle that held them.

This is the flower the woman was looking for and they indeed are called ‘Marsh Mallows.’ Scientific name- Althaea Officianalis. The flower was imported from the Europe to the U.S. for their ‘sovereign remedy and scent.’ Translation: their roots are used for their flavor in foods (especially Chinese foods) and medicinal purposes. They’re apparently great for digestion and for your skin.

The second thing I wanted to mention is an old time ‘gardening remedy’ I discovered. Martha Marshall thought it was funny and told me she planned to put ‘Vikki‘s’ recipe on her blog- so I thought I’d fess up first.

One of the biggest issues I have with my garden is ‘dog walkers.’ It’s mandatory in most California counties that dog walkers use bags and pooper scoopers, but that does nothing to keep pooches from peeing on plants. There are all kinds of (expensive) spray deterrents you can buy, but they’re full of chemicals I don’t want in my garden.

So I found an old time country recipe that actually works. All the ingredients are in your kitchen and handy. It should be called ‘fight fire with fire’ but instead it’s called:

Magic Critter Repellant Recipe
4 tbsp of castor oil (or olive oil)
4 tbsp of dishwashing liquid
4 tbsp of lemon juice (optional)
2 cloves of garlic or a quarter onion chopped fine.
2 quarts of warm water
1/2 cup of human pee. (Yes- pee in a jar!)
Cover it and let it sit overnight. Stir it up and sprinkler around the borders (one foot distance) of plants (not on plants).

We can’t smell it BUT you wouldn’t believe the look on the dog’s faces when they get a whiff! They want nothing to do with you or your property! Just don’t tell your neighbors about the recipe.

This also works for deer, squirrel, gophers (just pour it down the gopher hole) and other 4 legged critters.

I’d love to hear your ‘old time remedies’. Do you have any real ‘secret ones’ that you’re brave enough to tell me?

Vikki

The painting is called Marsh Mallow and my weekend project. The flowers are white with reflected tones. (Photographing white is always problematic. I promise it will be 'color correct' in my gallery.)

Marsh Mallow is 12”x16”, acrylic on unstretched canvas. And if you haven’t,-please visit The Red Chair Gallery.