Welcome, I’m Mary Louisa Locke, the author of the USA Today best-selling Victorian San Francisco Mystery series and the Caelestis Science Fiction series. In this daily newsletter, I reflect on my life as an indie author trying to age gracefully, including my struggles to maintain a balanced life, what I listen to, read, and watch for entertainment, and occasional bits of information I’ve gleaned from doing the research for my novels.
Daily Diary, Day 1263:
Brief Check-in: Had an unscheduled phone call, yesterday, so only got 474 words written. Today, started with yoga, some laundry, some cleaning, and in a bit I will take my walk. I may have a phone call later today, and of course, I do plan to write. Another sunny day yesterday, but today it is very grey and therefore a bit chilly. However, yesterday my daughter up in Olympia WA had a power outage and snow that quickly turned into freezing slush, so I won’t complain!
And now, for my recommendations!
Today I had the choice between a whole lot of Valentine posts, and posts that are on aging. I went with aging.
The first recommendation is from the newsletter Bold Age, by Debbie Weil. I just found this newsletter, and, so far, I have found her writing resonates with me, and the advice seems quite practical. You might start with the piece she posted last October, entitled Why I’m Slowing Down.
The second recommendation is from an interview in the Oldster Magazine, a newsletter I’ve recommended before. I find both the personal essays and the interviews always interesting. Today I am recommending an interview with the 86-year-old Eve France, a retired jewelry designer. I particularly loved this quote from her. "Lou Reed was quoted saying that he loved to be dazzled. I decided to find a dazzle a day, even when it is not more than a tiny tulip peeking through the dirt in early Spring."
My photos from my walks are definitely me looking to find a dazzle a day! Here is one from yesterday!
Finally, the third recommendation is not of a newsletter but of a post by the writer Anne LeMott in the Washington Post. I love her writing, and she’s been doing a series of pieces on aging. This one, A super power of older age: Powerlessness is a perfect blend of humor and insightfulness.
I hope you find your very own dazzle today!
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My daffodil leaves are poking their heads up --2-3 inches. No flowers yet. I have one dandelion that is pretty yellow. And thanks to the steady gentle rain we got 2 weeks ago that lasted all day..my clover and grass blades ate also poking their heads up. Unfortunately today is coldish (for South Georgia) 40-60F and cloudy...so do not expect more flowers.