January Blog Post: 2025 IN REVIEW (BOOZE INCLUDED)

As a diva of a certain age, I make it a point to keep a diary. After all, should any Hollywood studio decide to produce an autobiographical film about me, my journals will serve as historical reference. For your reading pleasure, I have shared an abridged version of my monthly account of the events of 2025.  Enjoy.

Chapter 1: A Diva Is Born

January 1976 Boomer JukeBox

This month's Boomer JukeBox is brought to you by TV Guide. Get your copy wherever magazines are sold. Let's check out some of the top hits of January, 1976. But first, here's few things that happened in pop culture that month:  Famous Cleveland football coach, Paul Brown, who inspired the teams' moniker, retired; Dorothy Hamill won the US Skating Championship;  The Donnie and Marie show and Laverne and Shirley debuted on ABC;  Frampton Comes Alive was released. We wish the above-mentioned success in the remainder of 1976. Now, onto the music.  

IT WAS ONLY A PAPER WORLD

As a diva of a certain age, I vividly remember the scene in "The Graduate" where McGuire takes Benjamin aside to give him one word of advice - "plastics." While it is true that plastic soon took over every aspect of our lives to the point that our brains are now found to contain about a spoonful of the substance, this was not always the case. There was a time when paper was king and the world was ruled by Big Parchment. In fact, paper was the basis of our entire economic system and was it ever a handful!

SOCIALITE

 

As a diva of a certain age, I find that social media has become more complicated over the last decade. It started out as a simple concept - you created a profile on a platform, then used it to stay in touch with family and friends. But, before we knew it, those spaces became places to argue about everything from politics to religion to the color of a certain dress. As time went on, we had cancel culture, billionaire battles, and algorithms gone wild. All this on-line activity began to interfere with my cocktail hour. That is why I decided to start my own social network for divas and divos who fall into a particular age demographic. It shall be called Boomer Space and will be a 60+ community open to everyone who agrees the dress is gold and white.

MAYBE IT'S MAYBELLINE

You have probably heard that the stunningly beautiful actress, Pamela Anderson, has decided to forego wearing makeup in public. In fact, you'd have to be buried under a rock to have missed this tiresome image-rehabilitation campaign. It did remind me, however, that as a diva of a certain age, I have a complicated relationship with Big Cosmetic. It began in my youth as a newly-minted teenager and continues, today, as a wisened elder. 

Spoiler alert: I do not look like this with or without makeup

DIVA DOES HOLLYWOOD

AMAZONIAN DIVA

Let’s shop! 

 As a diva of a certain age, it has become imperative that I stick to a budget. This is hardly my idea as I believe life should be lived and money spent! This directive came from my accountant who claims it is for my own good. "Diva, if you continue with this type of spending, you'll have to share an apartment with three other senior citizens and live on Ramen Noodles." How wonderful! Just like my college days. As long as kegs of beer are included, it will be a joy! "Sorry, Diva. If you do not stop purchasing thousands of dollars worth of items from Amazon each month, I'm afraid the only alcohol you'll be able to afford is the free wine at Communion." Oh, that would not do! I agreed to put a limit on my shopping, though I knew it would be challenging for so many reasons.

I just ordered a few last minute things before I cut back! 

LET IT SNOW!

Childhood winters were different for us Boomers. It was not just that we walked five miles through a blizzard to get to school (uphill all the way). It was not just that we had more snowstorms (thanks, climate change). It was not even that our winter wear was the absolute height of unfashionable (we were all dressed like Elmer Fudd). It had to do with Mother Nature's greatest gift to children - The Snow Day.  Gather 'round, youngsters, but wait while I grab my snowman-shaped mug filled with Cocoa de Kahlua, the official winter drink of divas of a certain age. Then, I shall regale you with tales of those unexpected  winter holidays of the 50's and 60's.

Haute couture for the 50’s child

A DIVA LOOKS BACK: MY YEAR IN REVIEW

As a diva of a certain age, the arrival of each New Year's Day feels like a personal triumph. After all, I managed, once again, to outrun the guy with the scythe and hood to ring in another year full of hope and promise. Of course, the older one gets, the hope is for a full-nights sleep, and the promise is that the social security checks keep arriving on time. Therefore, I'm not concerned with making resolutions or grand plans for 2025. Instead, I thought I'd take a trot down memory lane and examine my 2024 successes!

A CHRISTMAS CARD SAGA

As a diva of a certain age, I cling to holiday traditions like toilet paper on a shoe. Fortunately, there are many rituals which have withstood the passage of time: Christmas trees, gifts, carols, and jolly old Jello shots. However, one practice that is slowly becoming extinct happens to be the very essence of tidings of comfort and joy. I am referring to the Christmas card. The cost of stamps, on-line animated greetings, lack of time, and the rise in glitter allergies (please have your EpiPens at the ready!)  are all reasons they have gone out of favor. However, as one who would have adored the genteel snobbishness of The Golden Age, I mourn the decline of this gracious nicety.  If only we could go back to the glorious days of The Christmas Card Olympics!

SPOILER: THE ONE WHERE I RUIN YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES

Hi! I'm Twinkles The Intern! The Diva is out of commission this week, as she's suffering from the effects of The Irish Flu (3 parts Bailey's Irish Cream, 2 parts whiskey, 1 part whole milk.) She asked me to fill in for her, writing a post about the traditional holiday shows everyone loves. I had to remind her that I was raised in a cult where I was not permitted to watch television. Fortunately, at age 25, I was rescued by my Aunt Donatella and Uncle Pete. But, the only thing we watched during the holidays were repeat viewings of Moonstruck. "Even better," she shouted at me from behind the door of her She-Shed, "You can give it a fresh perspective as a first-time viewer!" So, I went to the library, rented the shows, and asked Aunt Donatella to join me. 

Twinkles the Intern

Donatella the Aunt (Ain't she just Divine?)

MIDDLE CHILDREN, THANKSGIVING SALUTES YOU

America's Big Turkey Day arrives this Thursday. (No, I'm not referring to the inauguration.)  As a diva of a certain age, I've experienced enough Thanksgivings in my lifetime to know that it is the middle child of holidays. Dare I count the ways?

“Why is my symbol a turkey?”

LET FREEDOM RING

This is my thirteenth time voting in a presidential election, and I must say it's been quite a journey. I was eighteen that first Tuesday in November of 1976 when I entered a voting booth for the first time. Almost 60 years later, I still feel a sense of pride when I cast my ballot. However, the challenging part is waiting for the final tally that might or might not be announced on election night. As a diva of a certain age, I've learned that surviving eternal election-night coverage requires a strategy. I present to you my own. 

BOOK 'EM DIVA! MY FAVORITE BOOKS IN 2024

 Before Libby came into my life, I was a book-a-holic buying the latest novels the moment they were released. Feeding my habit  had always cost me enough to finance a yearly tropical vacation, but it was the arrival of the E-book plus an Amazon account that sent me over the edge. From the comfort of my reading chair, I'd pop into the Kindle Store only to be greeted immediately by my dealer, someone called "Recommended for You Based On Your Previous Purchases." Hitting the Buy button again and again was my perfect pavlovian fix. Soon, I had more books stashed in my Kindle than I could read in lifetime, plus a credit card bill that rivaled the national debt. Then, along came Libby to save the day!

AGING DISGRACEFULLY

 As a diva of a certain age, I find I am confused by the concept of "aging gracefully." Supposedly, it's to do with women forgoing trips to the stylist for a color and highlight; refusing to have a little work done to remove fine lines and wrinkles; embracing the granny bod by investing in good pieces from Chicos; and going with a muted lipstick. I'm here to tell you that if a few silver strands and some well-earned laugh lines were all I needed to be graceful after age 65, I would be a ballerina! Unfortunately, Mother Nature has put tremendous effort into making us as graceless as possible.

Curses, my pretty! 

I'M BAAAACK

Honestly! You take a little vacation from the internet, and people start writing your obituary. The truth is, I decided that, as a diva of a certain age, it was time to step away from Social Media Society and explore the mythical "World Outside." Though my dance card was always full while I was attending the grand galas on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads, I found something was missing in my life. The medical community refers to it as "fresh air." So, as I inhale, let me regale you with wondrous tales of Life Beyond the Valley of the Smart Phones.  

Until we meet again, my love.

THE FUNNY PAPERS: The Week In Memes: November 11-17 Edition

This was a week of  drops - dropping gas prices, dropping inflation rates, dropping travel delays, and dropping ethics in Congress. War continues in the Middle East; Joe Manchin will not run again for his Senate seat; some Trump or other took the witness stand; and Marjory Taylor Green said something stupid. Naturally, the internet was noisy about all the goings on. Let’s check it out!

THE FUNNY PAPERS: The Week In Memes: October 21-27 Edition

Yet again, it’s challenging to find humor in a week of news that includes another mass shooting as well as the wartime deaths of innocents. Fortunately, there are some funny people in this world who  happen to reside in the internet.  Let’s go spy! 

THE FUNNY PAPERS: The Week In Memes: October 14-20 Edition

I take a two week vacation, and the world goes crazy! The Hamas/Israel clash continues, the Republicans are in disarray, Trump has been gagged, and Taylor and Travis are adorable. Sadly, we lost the lovely Suzanne Somers to breast cancer. Join me as we discover what the social medias were up to this week. 

THE FUNNY PAPERS: The Week In Memes: September 23-29 Edition

 This week, we are sad at the passing of the  oldest sitting member of the Senate,  Dianne Feinstein.  She was 90 years old and still performing her Congressional duties just the day before. Meanwhile, McCarthy & Co are threatening to shut down the US government while also trying to draw up articles of impeachment against President Biden.  New York is victim to the latest weather disaster. There was lots of sports ball. And we say goodbye to September. Let’s see what the internet was up to.