Gloria Steinem was giving a talk before a large audience during her fortieth year. Someone remarked to her, "You don't look forty!" She replied, "This is what forty looks like!"

 

Well, guess what? We are going to try to get used to the fact that old people in their seventies, eighties and nineties are rapidly changing the stereotypical image of what aging looks - and acts - like! Phyllis is a prime example of the genre - and writes about her experiences - her own and those of other people she knows..

So - hey, do you want to learn what successful creative maturity looks like? Read on ....

Four celebratory, poignant reminiscences to enjoy first:

Dear David - Phyllis' beloved husband

The Finnish Bath - from her adolescence - with a delightful illustration by a young friend

As I Remember Martha - a celebration of happy, creative nonogenarity (is there such a term?). Gotta be, right?

And Niki's Visit, a tender celebration of grandmotherhood.

 

Do read them. You will fall in love with Phyllis!

 

And here are some more delightful - and shorter - ones Phyllis calls

Summer Heat and

Snowdance, and a lovely

Christmas message - all of them set in Ashfield - and a poem,

Winter Squash, that she gave me recently.

 

Phyllis also writes delightful children's books, of which I have photocopied three, but they are not yet published. They deserve to be, however! Here are a few samples.

 

...