THE GREAT ZELDA...

 

She danced on table tops and jumped into fountains…she was reckless. I have had a long-time fascination with Zelda Fitzgerald (the wife of novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald). And, as far back as 1974, when as a young girl I saw the movie version of his book The Great Gatsby, I have dreamed of lavish parties, and over-the-top living, exactly like you see in that film. Vintage champagne glasses (that were raised throughout that movie) appeared over and over again in many of my own fantasies and still do. Ever since being exposed to that film I have been drawn to everything first-class and spectacular!  Over the years I tried to understand my true desire for a lifestyle like Gatsby. When I dream of a house it’s a mansion in Newport, and the only cars that excite me are a Rolls-Royce or a "Duesy."  I longed to throw parties like Gatsby.

living out the pages of the jazz age 

 

I can remember renting hotel suites and filling the bathtubs with champagne. I am no shabby dreamer and a person who does whatever she can to live out her fantasies as best she can. Why not go for full-throttle living (ever so often). With the release of the new film Gatsby I had an opportunity to attend a colorful Great Gatsby theme party. Due to some pretty bad allergic reactions I couldn’t wear any make-up or heady perfumes (like my favorite from Paris) but, I didn’t let that stop me. I stepped out in thigh-highs, a boa and beads! I let my inner Zelda party girl (minus the heavy drinking) come to life! My friends and I danced all night and sipped Drambuie, while an impeccable band played music right out of the 1920’s. Songs like Five Foot Two and Shimmy like My Sister Kate truly brought that era right to my heart again. There was a moment, with the smell of liquor on my lips, a fast turn on the dance floor, and tickled by a passing boa, the 20’s were back and roaring! My entire being enjoyed the wonderful sensation of bringing such a high-spirited fantasy to life.  It was my Midnight in Paris moment. Zelda was there….Where were you?

Will someone pass the Absinth?

Stay tuned. In the coming months I will be blogging about Picnics and Tea Parties! You gotta have em…..

Cheers~

DON'T BE AFRAID...

Author of Ageless (left)

 

Today is May 3rd. That means it's my birthday. And, at my age all the numbers are BIG. If I had any other lifestyle and attitude those #'s could be scary. But, have no fear AGELESS IS HERE! In this above photo I am posing with my much younger sister who happens to be (by all accounts) stunning! Let's face it, she's down right gorgeous. However, I can stand next to her and smile, hopefully holding those seven years I have over her because of what THIS BLOG is all about. I am fortunate that I have connected with my inner child and keep up my zest for life. When you scroll around any and all prior posts on this blog you will see why I can smile brightly and confidently even when I am standing next to my beautiful baby sister. As the author and advocate of Ageless with Aunty I feel like the numbers really don't matter. Go back to my very first post for proof.

So, my birthday gift to anyone who follows Ageless with Aunty is this post and all the others. I hope I am clearly showing that with a change in attitude and some healthy lifestyle changes like drinking green tea and more water, or adding extra green vegetables to your shopping list can and do make a difference. And, when friends or family ask you to join them in any activities...well, just do it. Getting out and about is the best thing you can do for yourself. That was surely our late Aunty's secret.

Last, but not least... wear your sunscreen! I just came back from seeing one of Boston's top dermatologists. She told me the best thing anyone can do to stay younger looking longer is to "continue to wear your sunscreen..."

it's fun to wear a faux tattoo sometimes

 

The moral of this Birthday tale is if you don't want to fear the large number of candles on the cake simply make it a point to have a healthy diet and let your inner child out any chance you can. For help with the latter we are here!

P.S. please don't forget to meditate....that's a gift we can give ourselves any time, any place! For exceptionally busy people five minutes a day will do and fear will start to dissipate.

SHOUT OUT!

I would love to give the biggest shout out ever to Heaven....I need it to be so ENORMOUS. I'd like it to reach my late Uncle D. Uncle D was Aunty's husband and the man who raised me with tremendous TLC. He died nine years ago today with his entire family around him.

As I always share with you how often I get signs of my late Aunty's love. I am convinced she is with me always and her deep love continues to protect and guide me....so does Uncle D's. I feel doubly blessed. Take for example this post. I did not have much time to write today and I wanted to acknowledge my late Uncle. All I have been thinking about all day is how he called me his "Little Chicken." I can still hear him saying "Hi Chicken" in the most endearing way. Well, as I was about to search the web quickly today for a picture that I could post I immediately found this one above. The hands reach down from heaven and are holding little chickens.

The site I believe is called Hands from Heaven!
Uncle D I believe you can hear me so I say...
"I LOVE YOU MORE THAN EVER! It was the greatest honor of my life to take care of your wife (my Aunty) for the last eight years of her life. And thank you for living your life for your family. We are deeply appreciative still. You and Aunty are the best part of who I am." You remain the epitome of selfless humility. It is so easy to see you both in everything good and wondrous.

When I have the time to learn photo shop I will superimpose a picture of Aunty and Uncle D's smiling faces in the above picture...

BORN IN BOSTON...

I can say with sheer pride and every once of patriotism....

BOSTON YOU'RE MY HOME!

Just like Bill Iffrig, the 76 year old man

who fell before the finish line when the first bomb went off only to get right back up

and finish the race, Boston too, and those families personally suffering great loss, will rise back up. You can not fall too far down when so many around you are there to help and hold, and so many care. Right now many families and patients are being held up by prayer and compassion from their fellow man and with that much healing energy Boston is slowly starting to shine again!

I would like to thank our President Barack Obama for coming to Boston and delivering a truly perfect inspirational, healing, and motivational speech. For those who pray, please remember our President. We are all affected when tradedgy befalls our nation and our fellow man/women/children. And, like our president declared today, "Bombs can't beat us!"

 

For anyone who wants to help go to: 

http://onefundboston.org/

 

GET OUT!

No matter what the weather, no matter how you are feeling, I promise you....

if you venture outside you will feel better instantly! It works every time. For this picture here I got in my car and went for a short ride. I parked the car got out and took a walk in nature. Just take a moment and look at what a lovely earth we have. I feel good just looking at this picture. Imagine being there! You are. This is all for you...Everything...the flowers, the stars, the moon, the water, the blue sky, and of course the air to breathe..

 

To enhance the experience of being out in nature you might want to read Emerson or Thoreau. At very least listen to the Great Courses lectures about their works. Brilliant.

 

 

When you "get out' the possibilities of who or what you might run into or come across are endless. Keep an open mind and heart. On Friday I saw another reminder that Aunty is always with me. Wherever I go my Angel continues to capture my heart with signs of hers.