19 Comments
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When the Flames Go Up's avatar

New stitch idea: "Cheer up, looser!"

Cindy Eastman's avatar

I was going to write this essay, but I have 10 years on you, so thank god you did. Ten years hence is not all that different except you're still in regular waistbands, I guess? Thanks for this and letting probably most of us know we're not alone and the Eccentric Years are something to look forward to. (And...I'm teaching at Erma, too! That alone is worth cheering up for! Looking forward to meeting you!)

Wendi Aarons's avatar

I saw that you're teaching! Can't wait to meet.

Doug French's avatar

Um, technically "Champagne problems" are strictly from the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée region of France.

Laura House's avatar

Yes, to all this! Yet I fear I went gently into I elastic waist pants a while back. But I will not go gently into blue-haired bittiness. Altho, that sounds kinda fun, too. Esp if there's soup. Will find what I refuse to go gently into then REBEL!

Claire Collins's avatar

I love your podcast! Does that make me the third regular listener?

Kathryn Mayer's avatar

was a definite no for EBWW this year, and now I wanna go, if only for the chance to drink in the bar w you. definitely would lift the meh veil and possibly rid me of Eeyore-itis

Wendi Aarons's avatar

Yes, please. You should also enter their contest because the prize is registration to the conference!

Lisa Page Rosenberg's avatar

Amen, Sister

Elizabeth Joubert's avatar

I love your “better than our climate’s future” friend, especially since I’m sweating through my cashmere over here because France is supposed to be cold in December but not this year!! Next time you’re feeling down, I think you should buy plane tickets to Paris, and if not that, then Antarctica to get that seventh continent—I’ve been already, but I’m wondering if it’s worth going back now for the good weather

Elizabeth Joubert's avatar

Antarctica or bust

suburbancorrespondent's avatar

Elastic waist pants are unsung heroes, dammit

Wendi Aarons's avatar

I'm just pretending I don't have 10 pairs of Kirkland ones.

Jenn Belden's avatar

I literally put a sticky note above my desk that says "30 minutes of writing, 30 minutes of movement, 30 minutes of sketching" thinking that seems manageable, and yet here i sit, in sweatpants with a damp load of clothes in the wash (second wash because I forgot yesterday,) scrolling Substack (instead of writing on it), wondering what to do in my recently empty nest while desperately trying to ignore all other forms of social media.

I turn 58 this year and feel it deeply. What is my "what's next"? I did read that Laura Ingalls Wilder didn't publish her first book until she is 65, so I still have time before I feel like a complete loser.

Yuliya Patsay's avatar

I don't know if you've heard of this for a little mood boost...but drugs? I am properly medicated for the first time in my life and it makes everything slightly more tolerable! See you at Erma :)

Vikki Reich's avatar

Co-sigh…get it? Sighing not signing because I too have middle age ennui? I need a nap.

Ed's avatar

I was waffling on whether to register for Erma (at home) but now that I know you're running one of the workshops, I'm in. I took a class online with you a few years ago, and you inspired the title essay of my book, but I need a booster

Wendi Aarons's avatar

Oh, I hope you do!