The Granny Club

 My good friend Karen recently bought my Beauty and Wisdom book for her granddaughter for Christmas and I was so touched I wanted to share her story.  Here is the email she sent me.

Karen and Mini

I want to give one to my granddaughter.  We have a thing about what we call "The Granny Club."  It's kind of like a beauty and wisdom joke in its own way. 

Granny KB:  "You have to brush your hair because you haven't since you went swimming and if you go out to dinner looking like that I could get kicked out of "The Granny Club." 

For years, Micol thought there really was a Granny Club and cried when she heard the truth.  I felt awful but we have made a big joke out of it as the years have passed.   

 

Micol is the only person who cuts my hair for some years now so, in a sense, she is my stylist!  I thought it would empower her to think she could do something so important and using scissors too.  But in fact it is a tender and empowering thing for me too--like going to the salon.  She says my hair is beautiful and she loves the "silver parts"!  She's messed up a couple of times but with my hair it doesn't really matter.  She loves to do it.  Funny, huh?  I think she will like your book very much.  

Thank you Karen, I am so honored to have my book given to your sweet granddaughter...  Micol obviously already possesses so much beauty and wisdom!

I Know A Woman Like That

Tonight at Jeanie Madsen Gallery Elaine and Virginia Madsen will be presenting their documentary, "I Know A Woman Like That."  This film documents and celebrates the lively and beautiful lives of older women.

Here is a link to the Film Trailer

Day 47 - About Town

It's so easy to take the palm trees for granted. I remember as a kid... Living in New York, I was so infatuated with them.... Every now and then, I look up and think, "wow, I live in California."

Day 44 - The Georgian Sessions

View from sessions about self-image and beauty with Jeanie Madsen.
We are creating change together!

Day-12 Flowers in my neighborhood

I used to love getting my photograph taken.

"I used to love getting my photograph taken" is what Barbara lamented when I asked her to take her photograph. She was reluctant, but in the end, she gave me permission and I'm so happy she did.  She was an opera singer in her day... and you can tell because she is so graceful and elegant and her 88 year old voice is soothing to listen to.  Barbara told me how she felt about women feeling pressured to stay young looking in the work place - she said it made her sad.  Then as we talked some more, she said that we were kindred spirits and that was music to my ears and my heart... I felt like I could sit and talk with her for hours.  I just know that she has amazing stories to tell.  Wouldn't it be great to have a round-robin kind of panel and have these women trade stories, one after the other?  Like a songwriters in the round, it would be story tellers in the round and we would be gifted with their presence and when it was over, there would be a connection made for a long long time.

Beauty and Wisdom - In Italy! Bella!