Wednesday, June 29, 2011

AGELESS AT HARVARD...

~Legally Brunette~

Taking a cue from that adorable movie, Legally Blonde, I strutted about Harvard University on Monday channeling Elle Woods. The day culminated with my meeting with one of the Law Professors. I did not have a diamond collared Chihuahua like Elle, or the handsome Luke Wilson to show me around. Yet, with full aplomb I carried my leather briefcase and made my way past Langdell over to Pound Hall….How did this all come about….

Well, my name is Renee Gold (and, my friends know that means anything is possible at any time). If I told them I would be having lunch with Donald Trump, they would say, “When?” And then Lori would say, “What are you wearing?”

As I mentioned in my post about Keep Your Dreams Alive, I am seriously considering developing a novelty item. I have done a lot of research already. The product I have created (at least in my head and on paper at this point) is magical, charitable, unique, and pretty to behold. Since I have a history of having what looks like some of my ideas stolen, I want to be extra careful this time. I went to the Harvard Law Clinic to discuss working with them. They have a program where the Law Students work on your case and one of the professors oversees everything. I must say, it’s all pretty exciting.


The Professor asked me why as a writer, I would want to take on something else, and being a first time  inventor is something that is not so easy to do. I told him, I have this truly fascinating idea, and it just wants to come to fruition. And, due to the charitable and empowering essence of my project, I feel I should at least try. Of course I will still write. My goal would be to license the product, and go back to working on my second book. I have this image of myself wearing feathery-white, entrepreneurial wings and flying over a bumpy Yellow-Brick Road. I say this because my product is literally as powerful as the Wizard himself, and the Wizard in each of us!

As for Harvard….I have had a long time fascination with this university. As a teenager I would take the bus into Harvard Square and walk around the campus. I have taken courses through the Harvard Extension Program, audited a summer playwriting class, still come up with reasons to be there, like to see a rare film or a public lecture. Saturday mornings I listen to a radio program called Hillbilly at Harvard and sometimes I listen to the Sunday Morning Mass on WHRB because it’s broadcast from The Memorial Church at Harvard University. But, there is nothing like being there. Each time I stand on the premises I am exhilarated. It’s like popping a gigantic gingko biloba pill or having twenty cups of Dunkin Turbo coffee. Going to Harvard, in any capacity, is a rush….




Did you know...six out of the nine current Supreme Court justices studied at HLS.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

KEEP YOUR DREAMS ALIVE...

Britney Spears on the cover of Harper's Bazaar

Here is my version of a little black dress….A BIG BLACK DRESS! This is the best magazine cover I have seen in years. Britney Spears is a great celebrity…she’s fun to watch, and never gets old. I am glad she is back on top and she looks sensational. This is an outstanding photo of her on the recent cover of Harper’s Bazaar.


I also LOVE the clothes she wears in the magazines. I did a post of my dream coat…the blue Valentino Britney modeled last year (click on the previous blue words to see it). This Dolce & Gabbana long black dress with white stars is the ultimate fantasy dress for me. The price is the same as the Valentino coat…five thousand dollars. That’s a lot of food for aunty and me. The only way I can get this dress (and believe me I am going to try) is, sell many copies of my book (and since it is not published yet that might take a while). So, I have decided to become a hugely successful entrepreneur. And….. since my name is Renee Faith Gold, that is possible. I will keep the Faith and I will see some Gold.

As it turns out, I am about to embark on a high-stakes entrepreneurial journey…. The image of Britney in the Big Black Dress is a part of my vision board. I see myself in this dress holding/wearing my product (the one I am about to develop) and the rest is Forbes Magazine history! My time has come. I am tired of the struggle. Yes, I am a writer indeed, but, until I get published and sell some books, I must come up with a way to make some money. My motivation is keeping Aunty out of a nursing home. It takes a lot of time and money to care for someone with dementia. I have no choice… I must continue giving Aunty the quality of life she deserves. She is so happy. I will do whatever it takes. My product idea is truly beyond amazing…it’s magical, charitable, pretty to look at, and will bring each owner/wearer a little hope. Stay tuned. This blog is blooming! But, dont' let me be the only BIG DREAMER in the house... Ageless Aunty wants to remind you>>> keep your dreams alive…it's never too late, and anything is possible...

Before you know it, celebrities, models and trendsetters will be wearing and carrying my new creation...everyone will want one. And, Aunty will be safe, warm, and cozy at home, as Ageless as ever~

Monday, June 20, 2011

A SIP TO PARADISE...

A Sip to Paradise

Yesterday, June 19, 2011, at approximately five-thirty, I sent Starbuck’s one of my ideas. Now I want to share it with my readers. Even if Starbuck’s (a huge corporation) does not use my new product suggestion you certainly can.


The other day while I was in Starbuck’s ordering a tall Green Ice-Tea, it had a lovely hint of coconut in it. The taste was phenomenal. But, this was an accident. The person in front of me had ordered something with coconut in it, and somehow the taste got into my drink. I immediately came up with the idea for a Green Coconut Ice Tea. I went back the next day and ordered a Tall Green Ice-Tea, this time I asked for a big splash of coconut. I called this concoction A Sip to Paradise because it tastes like a Tahitian Dream. It’s a perfect brew for this time of year, very tropical.
I went back to Starbuck’s and asked the manager how I might submit my idea. I was told to send it to http://www.mystarbucksidea.com/
I entered the idea. However, this is the catch. When you read the fine print, they say you get no compensation whatsoever! I don’t think this is fair at all. It makes me feel bad. I don’t want money, or any grand prize, but, if they use my cuckoo for coconut idea, (and make millions doing it) why not give me a mention or a gift card?!!!!! That seems like a reasonable expectation. Oh well. It’s a nice new drink that I can make at home. It’s as close to the islands as I am going to get this summer. Then again, maybe not. Stay tuned, I "pulled a Renee" again…. In the mean time…
Try adding a little coconut syrup to your iced green tea. Then, while you float away to paradise… see if you can come up with an idea for what we should call it? Grass Skirt? Cuckoo for Coconut? The Hammock? Green Hawaii? Or, as a nice way to give a nod to this blog, if they go with my idea…they could call it Ageless Summer! Green tea is a powerhouse of antioxidants, and quite the anti-aging elixir. What do you think? I’d love to hear from you…

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE...

I love my Aunty so much that I have given up a huge portion of my life to take care of her. If I occasionally think my career as a writer might be further along if I did not have such an immense responsibility, I immediately realize that is not the case at all. My precious Aunty is my Academy Award, Bestseller, motivation, and inspiration! And, she is so much fun to be with. We keep each other happy.

As a gift to my readers I share these recent snapshots of Aunty, and the sentiment behind them. If Aunty can pick up her first golf club at 87 years old…there is no excuse for you, at 30, 40, 50, or 60, not to take up something new and exciting. As a bonus, experts now say it’s good for the brain. So, stay sharp by following Ageless (with) Aunty ….

Next, Aunty catches a wave, or something brave and daring....After all, life shrinks or expands in accordance to one's courage!

Monday, June 13, 2011

INSTANT KARMA...

You could even say she glows

There is an extraordinary sacred singer/chant enchantress named Snatam Kaur who has the presence of a saint, and by all accounts, sings like an angel. If you listen to her for even a minute you will immediately understand what I mean. If you see her in concert it will be further validated. If you actually speak with her, and get close to her like I did…you know you are in the presence of someone divine.


I was beaming, and felt like I was having an outer body experience when I met her over the Memorial Day weekend. For Christmas a friend had given me tickets to Snatam’s May concert in Boston. After listening to her chant/sing and radiate love, peace, and all things good, I went down to the front of the stage with hopes of catching a closer glimpse of this amazing being. Having listened to her for months prior, I was channeling my own inner goddess, and before I knew it, I was standing there speaking with Snatam Kaur! How is that for instant karma? I told her she was Ageless and that I strive to be more relaxed and calm like she is. She told me she is trying too. She kindly agreed to pose with me. My dear friend Rory who is great with a camera took the picture. I am going to enlarge the image above as much as I can and frame it in gold leaf!
touched by an angel
These pictures show me that anything is possible. I have been listening to Snatam for years, and envisioning meeting her. I kept that vision before me and brought it to fruition.

Her singing/chanting is exceptional. I have suggested teas, incense, specific products, certain exercises, and much more on this blog. However, if I had to suggest just one thing…it’s listening to Snatam. You will be transformed and enlightened and brought closer to the Divine. She exemplifies what it is to be ageless and blissful.

Visit her stunning site http://www.snatamkaur.com/

Sat Nam…Pass the Yogi Tea~

Thursday, June 9, 2011

SHE LOVES ME, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH…

Me and my cold Momokawa Sake


As promised, I carried the festivities of celebrating my May birthday, all the way into June…with a little bit of help.

When a small group of friends helped me celebrate this year, gathered around the table of a small Japanese restaurant, we started singing and carrying on. I knew we might cause a scene if we continued the high-decibel merrymaking. We quieted down and went back to having our regular fun with an ordering frenzy and a sushi fest. But, something tells me we were just as loud. I don’t think it’s possible to enjoy yourself that much in a restaurant without a little noise.

A couple of weeks ago one of my sisters took me out to lunch to honor my birthday. And what a time we had. We laughed so hard I honestly thought they might ask us to leave. I didn’t know you could feel so good at one o'clock in the afternoon on a Tuesday. My sister even bought me a cup of the world’s most expensive and healthiest tea.

One of the most touching gifts this year was from my sister who lives in California. I don’t get to see her as often as I would like to and I love her very much. When she was a toddler she got into my Beatles Album collection and scribbled on the covers and broke one of the records. I was devastated! I secretly cried (because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings because she was so young). I thought I would never get over it. I LOVE THE BEATLES!

Well, last night after that same sister treated me to the most outstanding lobster dinner at the Blue Ginger (my favorite restaurant) she had them bring out a cake she had had made just for me. It was a big, funky cake with a record player (that looked like the one I had growing up) with a Beatles Album being played!!! I was  stunned. I was also touched. Then it got even better. When the waitress came back to cut and serve my creative delight… the cake was Red Velvet! I was over the moon knowing that my sister loves me that much! And, that I got my Beatles Album back.

Thinking about it now…by not getting overly upset with the desecration of my beloved record collection, all those years ago, I was putting out good karma. And, decades later my Beatles Album came back to me with love, sugar, and a sister’s smile.

Birthday - The Beatles
You say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you…
This Blog is Magic...Make a Wish



Monday, June 6, 2011

HOW TO STAY YOUNG!

Our resident Ageless Guru…aka Aunty may be almost ninety years young, but she still knows how to kick up her heels and have fun. Friday night, she turned a night of dining into a night at the disco!

My family and I were having a nice quiet dinner, enjoying some fine wine and conversation. On our way out, Aunty dragged us into the adjacent club for some dancing. “I love to dance,” she declared, as she started moving her hips and pulling us into the joint as soon as she heard the music.

She was flirting with the singer; she danced with the waitress, and made friends with the guys next to us. Before we knew it she got the entire room on its feet. What a sight to see; her happy spirit doing what it does best…making others happy.

How does she stay so vibrant being only a decade away from 100? I think the blueberries, the omegas, and all the green tea I give her help. I also supply her with daily doses of hugs and kisses. And, Aunty does go into the stratosphere of super-happiness when she is around her family! But, most important….she DOES follow the blog Ageless with Aunty. Judging by these pictures and Aunty’s advanced age, I dare say, I think the potent mixture of all of the above is working! She continues to inspire me, and everyone who meets her.


look at that childlike grin on Aunty


For the record, I had to literally pull her out of the place because she would not stop dancing! I was worried  she might not be able to move the next day. I am glad to report....Aunty is alive and kicking! We started our day today listening to Frank Sinatra's You Make Me Feel so Young! And then we danced...

Thursday, June 2, 2011

WHEN THE LIGHTNING STRIKES…


Yesterday, I had planned my entire day around going to hear my meditation guru, Larry Rosenberg, speak. But, Mother Nature had other plans which would be the antithesis of a quiet meditation….

I started out preparing a blog post. I washed and ironed Aunty’s clothes, worked on an upcoming project, and did a little cleaning and organizing, like I promised myself I would. Then I walked into town for some errands. About 3:30, while I was out Gracie called me on my cell phone to say, she didn’t think she would be able to come and sit with aunty due to the “tornado watch.” I had no idea what she was talking about. We agreed to talk a little later. About 4:30, on my way back home, a friend rang my cell phone warning me not to go out because of a bad storm coming our way. Suddenly the sky appeared dark, and there was an ominous feeling in the air. Gracie called back to cancel. I knew this meant no meditation or dharma talk, so I decided that as soon as I got home I would do my own meditation before Aunty arrived back from her day program.

As I approached my house my downstairs neighbor was at the door waiting for me. She told me,
“There’s a tornado watch. I am thinking of going down to the basement!” She added, “Do you have any kind of helmet?” The sky turned black. I ran upstairs and turned off my computer. I closed all the windows, drew all the shades and unplugged appliances. When I turned on the TV it showed a tornado hitting the Springfield Massachusetts area (which is less than an hour away). Suddenly on the television screen I saw something I had never seen before; a tornado warning for my town. My neighbor ran up the stairs and said, “I have my transistor radio all set up and I think we should go into the basement.” What made this all the more frightening were the sirens going off from her Weather Channel station as the tornado watch became a tornado warning.

My neighbor and I were prepared to take cover in the basement if the tornado got closer. From her television set we could see the damage the tornado was doing as it headed closer to us. And from her new I-pad we could track the storm like professional meteorologists.

I did not want to go down to the basement without Aunty, and she was not home yet. I paced the floor, and peeked out the window. Miraculously I remained calm and did my deep breathing. After all, I was supposed to be meditating.

At 6:10, minutes after Aunty arrived, the anchorman announced that the tornado was south of us. But, there could be another one coming. It was confusing at times because there seemed to be conflicting, and delayed reports. Things were also happening very quickly.

Aunty and I went back to our place and continued watching the news stations. It was horrible. In western and central Massachusetts, four people died and many lost their homes, their cars, and much damage was done. The governor declared a state of emergency. I just couldn’t believe this was happening in Massachusetts.

About eight in the evening, Aunty went to bed and I continued to watch. They had kept us on alert till eleven p.m.

Lucky for us we did not get hit with a tornado, but, we experienced severe thunder and lightning like I have never seen. I decided to go out front and take a picture, but at that exact moment the newscaster said, “Do not go outside. This is not your average thunder storm.” The lightning (hotter than the surface of the sun) was striking 45 times a minute! It was unreal. At about nine o’clock, the thunder was so loud the sound of one bolt actually jolted me. Aunty woke up. She was terrified! She kept asking… “What’s wrong? With each thunderous bang she said, “This is awful.” I held her hand and rubbed her back. Eventually the storm passed, Aunty went back to bed, and we were back to normal.

One of the things I learned from this experience is how much people care. We got several phone calls from concerned friends wanting to make sure we were okay. Those in the midst of the storm comforted and helped one another, many sheltered strangers. I realized that Mother Nature is the strongest force on earth. If you have even the slightest experience with any kind of flood, tornado, hurricane, volcanic eruption, earthquake, or landslide, you know exactly what I am talking about. I will certainly keep doing all I can to stay on her good side. She’s indomitable!

I also learned that as long as I don’t move from where I am living now, I should be able to survive anything. My neighbor is a true boy scout. She is prepared for everything. She’s also got the Weather Channel, an I-Pad, I-phone, transistor radio, two bike helmets, and a crate of canned food. As a savvy world traveler, she has experience with every kind of weather change and knows how to handle unpredictable situations.

And, the most important thing I learned from yesterday’s natural disaster so close to home, is the power of meditation. If you have a meditation practice under your belt you may not be able to avoid a natural disaster, but, you have a much better chance of surviving one if you are calm and aware. Meditation puts you in harmony with the universe, yourself, and the world. It's the opposite of any natural disaster.