Leah! Far out, I was still laugh-crying at the NZ iteration of All Fours (even though, or possibly because, I’ve never been to Mosgiel or had sex with a guy working at a Wild Bean Café) when I came to your kind endorsement. I feel like a cool girl has just asked me to go to the dairy with her after school, or the 50-something version thereof. Thank you!
Excellent and naughty as always, Leah! '... the thinning of every lip we have ...' LOL. I've hit 60 (not far off 61) "a period of dramatic age-related changes" ffs. I'm totally pumped for it tho, leaving dirty foot marks on my white walls thanks to Wall Pilates 15 minutes a day to lengthen, strengthen, energise and wish you'd chosen Hi-sheen. Xo
I think I've always known subconsciously that being 50 is a golden age. I mean at least I hope it is. I'm on the wrong (or now is it the right?) side of my mid-30s and I am PUMPED to get to 40 and beyond. The kid will be grown (still in our house of course, but no more school runs or lunch making or wondering if she's eaten anything at all today from the well-stocked pantry). Wider family responsibilities will have tamped down substantially. (I can't say them out loud because I'm not a monster and I love these people). I'll be old enough to simply be myself. I'll wear outrageously ugly dresses in public, give home made preserves as gifts, and that'll be quirky, not weird. For the first time in my life, these will be the decades of ME. Even my traitorous uterus will be tamed, already this is improving as my fertility shrivels. I say, bring it on!
Traitorous uterus! Love it, Sam, and I approve HEARTILY of midlife you. Honestly? 40 is nothing. I don't know why everyone freaks out about it. 45 plus is when the weird stuff happens. Thank you for reading x
Love this, Leah. Still not read All Fours (but might be tempted now you've mentioned the homewares). Nor have I seen Babygirl. Very much enjoyed The Substance's comedic horror and Demi Moore's performance in it. So true, though: "But framing her success as a triumphant, late-in-life return to form flatters Hollywood, which decided to clang the gates shut on Moore at 40."
I was one of the ‘ young ones’ when I taught you at NPGHS Leah. Now I’m 66 ! But hey…..I married a younger guy so I don’t have to worry about retirement savings for another 9 years. So that’s a plus! AND …I’m still working ! Wild horses wouldn’t drag me back to an English teaching job. I now teach art to adults in my own studio and that’s a LOT of fun. I don’t plan on retiring until my mind and/ or body fails me.
Ms Valentine!!! You were SO brilliant. We loved you! I remember you once teaching us that writing simply was deceptively difficult, and deep down realising I was using too many stuffy words and phrases. I hope you’re still wearing red lipstick. You’re a true artist and a charismatic FORCE FIELD!
RED LIPSTICK! Moi ? Gawd no…my face lips are way too thin to wear it now ! ME saying that writing simply was deceptively difficult ? Really? . I didn't really know how to WRITE then….and still don’t ! I’ve actually tried to contact you many times Leah……through the various publications you’ve written for. But my e mails must have evaporated into the ether. I’ve taught 5000 ? kids over the years. I probably remember about 1/3 of them . But youn were a standout FUN FUN FUN student.(And whip smart ) That’s why I remember you SO WELL !
PS: I usually get quite bored reading columns about domestic things…..but you ARE funny……and not smug.
Thanks, Leah!! You are too kind! I second Lucy--I feel like you're waving me into the life of a city I still barely know, and it makes me feel very cool indeed. Thanks for your vote of confidence, and for all the subs! Coffee again soon, my shout! But not Wild Bean, aye
Leah! Far out, I was still laugh-crying at the NZ iteration of All Fours (even though, or possibly because, I’ve never been to Mosgiel or had sex with a guy working at a Wild Bean Café) when I came to your kind endorsement. I feel like a cool girl has just asked me to go to the dairy with her after school, or the 50-something version thereof. Thank you!
Chortle! I love the idea of going to the dairy together x
Let’s do it!
Excellent and naughty as always, Leah! '... the thinning of every lip we have ...' LOL. I've hit 60 (not far off 61) "a period of dramatic age-related changes" ffs. I'm totally pumped for it tho, leaving dirty foot marks on my white walls thanks to Wall Pilates 15 minutes a day to lengthen, strengthen, energise and wish you'd chosen Hi-sheen. Xo
That's the spirit, Jane!
I think I've always known subconsciously that being 50 is a golden age. I mean at least I hope it is. I'm on the wrong (or now is it the right?) side of my mid-30s and I am PUMPED to get to 40 and beyond. The kid will be grown (still in our house of course, but no more school runs or lunch making or wondering if she's eaten anything at all today from the well-stocked pantry). Wider family responsibilities will have tamped down substantially. (I can't say them out loud because I'm not a monster and I love these people). I'll be old enough to simply be myself. I'll wear outrageously ugly dresses in public, give home made preserves as gifts, and that'll be quirky, not weird. For the first time in my life, these will be the decades of ME. Even my traitorous uterus will be tamed, already this is improving as my fertility shrivels. I say, bring it on!
Traitorous uterus! Love it, Sam, and I approve HEARTILY of midlife you. Honestly? 40 is nothing. I don't know why everyone freaks out about it. 45 plus is when the weird stuff happens. Thank you for reading x
I've just turned 45 I can't f*@kn wait!
Love this, Leah. Still not read All Fours (but might be tempted now you've mentioned the homewares). Nor have I seen Babygirl. Very much enjoyed The Substance's comedic horror and Demi Moore's performance in it. So true, though: "But framing her success as a triumphant, late-in-life return to form flatters Hollywood, which decided to clang the gates shut on Moore at 40."
Wendy you are VERY KIND to restack me. I’m thrilled!!!!
It’s my pleasure, Leah. Happy to share the joy of reading you!
I was one of the ‘ young ones’ when I taught you at NPGHS Leah. Now I’m 66 ! But hey…..I married a younger guy so I don’t have to worry about retirement savings for another 9 years. So that’s a plus! AND …I’m still working ! Wild horses wouldn’t drag me back to an English teaching job. I now teach art to adults in my own studio and that’s a LOT of fun. I don’t plan on retiring until my mind and/ or body fails me.
Ms Valentine!!! You were SO brilliant. We loved you! I remember you once teaching us that writing simply was deceptively difficult, and deep down realising I was using too many stuffy words and phrases. I hope you’re still wearing red lipstick. You’re a true artist and a charismatic FORCE FIELD!
RED LIPSTICK! Moi ? Gawd no…my face lips are way too thin to wear it now ! ME saying that writing simply was deceptively difficult ? Really? . I didn't really know how to WRITE then….and still don’t ! I’ve actually tried to contact you many times Leah……through the various publications you’ve written for. But my e mails must have evaporated into the ether. I’ve taught 5000 ? kids over the years. I probably remember about 1/3 of them . But youn were a standout FUN FUN FUN student.(And whip smart ) That’s why I remember you SO WELL !
PS: I usually get quite bored reading columns about domestic things…..but you ARE funny……and not smug.
I will PM you 💗💛♥️
“Every lip we have” - this is glorious.
Love your writing, Leah! Much read aloud.
Thank YOU, the inimitable Sarah Laing!
Thanks, Leah!! You are too kind! I second Lucy--I feel like you're waving me into the life of a city I still barely know, and it makes me feel very cool indeed. Thanks for your vote of confidence, and for all the subs! Coffee again soon, my shout! But not Wild Bean, aye
☕️👍
Also I am glad to hear this about 50...but does this mean I have to do the 40s twice?
😆😉
🫶🏻
Fabulous, Leah!!
MWAH to YOU