Her dog matches her coat.
We had a lovely snow storm in DC yesterday. I'm not sure what the official snowfall total is (how do they determine these things anyway?) but to my eye, on Capitol Hill, we got about 5" or 6" of the fluffiest, lightest, most powdery snow.
The snow in combination with very cold temperatures, 18 or 19 degrees F., put me in a mood for martinis. Yes, that's plural. I had two which is one too many for me these days. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
My roommate valiantly set out to buy the ingredients, after which we gathered some snow to sprinkle on top of the beautifully garnished cocktails. I should have taken pics of the spiraling lemon twists floating on a cloud of soft snow layered over vodka and vermouth. It melted fast but was so pretty.
As the afternoon faded my roommates told me (while under the influence, and in the nicest way possible) that if I colored my hair and lost 20 lbs I could be a real cougar and date men half my age. It was so sweet of them, it really was. The truth is, I don't want to date men half my age, I don't want to pretend to be 40-ish again. I always felt like a total fraud when I was younger. I was always trying to pretend to be cool and glamorous, two qualities that are - for me - completely false. It's only now, in my fifties, that I feel comfortable inside my body.
But I didn't explain this to them because we were having such a nice time. We tried on each other's slippers, danced to Earth, Wind and Fire, wept a tear or two as we listened to Nina Simone.
It was a lovely snow storm outdoors, and a very beautiful martini storm inside. A couple of Advils have squashed my headache, now it's time for coffee and granola, then work. All's well that ends well. What a nice day yesterday was!
Dogs and people enjoyed the snow.
24 comments:
I know what you mean. I wouldn't want to do the 40s over again. In one way it was so much fun cause that's when I was doing the river guide thing. But I did the river guide thing as an escape from my real life which was pretty miserable during my 40s. Like you, I have felt comfortable in my 50s. Maybe it's because I finally reached the age where I could not longer even pretend to be young. Freeing to let that go in a way.
The martini party sound like it was fun except I really don't like vodka.
I could be 40 again ...
What gives with your weather? We should be getting your snow up here in NJ but it keeps staying SOUTH. Such a bummer for me, but not for you! Enjoy!!!!
i liked forty for the heady energy but i wouldn't go back. i like the calm, the appreciation of the smaller details of where i'm at. vodka martinis - hmmmm the last one/several i had was one evening that i remember included cranberry essence, cobs of corn, a herd of cows watching some sketchy goings on and i remember a long walk home - i remember . . . ha!!! i know i walked home! i love the people pics here - such great energy!!! happy snowfall. steven
That's what I love about a good snowstorm, the way it inspires us to nest inside and do things we might not have done otherwise ... a martini party! Seriously, would you have had one if the weather were clear? And I second Lynne, send a little snow up north!
We're enjoying the snowfall here, as well, minus the martinis! Isn't is fantastic to feel comfortable in your skin, to know who you are happy being? I hit that stage after becoming a mother. Amazing that I hit my stride with elasticized pants and sippy cups.
If I lost 40 pounds, died my hair, had a tuck here and there and wore fashionable clothing I might be able to pass for 40...WHY??? Dang - worked hard to get where I am now, love the calm, no contest, peace here at the begining of 60...Your martinis sound wonderful, I would not say no to that!
brava
and so much love
see...in your 50s you have the wisdom to hold back and not interject your insight about the equilibrium you've obtained in your 50s. I'm with you 100% -- finally in my 50s i am comfortable in my skin and with who am i. As Popeye says, "I am what I am."
Oh a snow-garnished marti sounds divine! I've been slowly watching the remake of Dr. Zhivago, and the title of your entry; Snow and Vodka, just sounded so Russian...
I am poised and waiting to leave my 40's. But I don't feel right in my completely silvery hair, maybe because I've always been such a lifelong hair dyer... I flirt with the grey, but then flit away.
My sister's cougar experiences don't sound very encouraging.
reya--first of all it sounds like you had a magnificent day--snowstorms always seem to conjure magical moments--sipping martinis, sharing slippers, dancing and singing songs. Delightful! I am happy to hear you happy.
As for the cougar comment--who started that awful metaphor? I've been thinking about this lately, usually when one of my younger associates uses it in a derogative fashion and will probably have to write about the term one of these days.
Your roomies obviously see the beauty that is you and would like to see you connect with someone. I think the wonder that comes from being something other than our age (eg over 40, 50ish) is missed by many, especially those who are young.
You are a star that is shining quite brightly albeit the non-dyed hair and a few extra pounds. Shine on sister and thanks as always for a wonderful post!
c
I know exactly what you mean. And isn't that what's wrong with our world? We need to try to be younger, prettier, sexier? What's wrong with letting the younger woman do that? I'm good with where I am. I'm me. All 56 years of it.
However, the martini party sounded like fun. I'm all for fun!
i like being 40++, i like the gray, i like the security of it all (but the downside is security is not what it used to be) and right now i'd like a highball. or two.
not much snow for us this winter, but we've another month or two to slog through.
It occurred to me today that a big piece of aging gracefully has to with what everyone here has said (except Lynne - variety of opinion is the spice of life!). I don't have to be anything other than who I am - that's graceful, it is!
I don't want to pretend to be young. But tell me, what's the difference between accepting the aging process and "letting oneself go?" Any thoughts?
I thought of Dr. Zhivago (the original one) when I named this post!
Martinnis always sound good. You are getting the snow we desperately need in the White Mtns. I remember how DC just shuts down when it snows. A good time to be out in the streets.
Sounds like a splendid, snowy day.
Here's to snow, martini's, being 50--heading quickly toward 60, friends, good music and definitely Advil!
Ronda you always know how to say the perfect thing.
To all of you who haven't had your usual snowfalls, my condolences. Snow is such a beautiful, clean presence. We've had THREE snows this winter. That's three more than we had two years ago, two more than last year. I am loving it!
Have to watch out about the 'tinis, though. They're so strong!
I'm at the tail-end of the 50's and it's a bit of a mind-bender to recognize that. Wouldn't change much - maybe a couple of the deeper wrinkles that make me look too worried. Martinis - the only ones I've ever had were this past summer with two of my three very cool brothers, sitting on the porch of our family get-away, facing the Lost River Mountains in Mackay, Idaho. It was a blast - but I am definitely not really equipped to do two without quite a spinning head.
Where I am
Is good to be
Helped along by HRT
Strengthened friendships
Strengthened bones
No more mortgage
No more loans
Kind of comfy body fat
Social discourse all off pat
Love of books, and food and drink
Martinis-excellent choice I think!
...here's a toast to you Reya,raising my martini glass to you and your blog!!
Wow, look at all that snow! We got nothing like that up here.
The martini party sounds terrific! A few martinis really do provide a social lubricant, don't they? Pretty soon you wind up talking about almost anything!
I think you have cougar potential just as you are, Reya. :)
Thanks, Steve!
And Pam, LOVE the poem!
You are so beautiful just as you are!
meow! What's with it and the Cougars? I like my better half close to my age understanding the same aging process I am going through!
The snow martini's sound lovely! Hope it was Grey Goose!
Oh, I do love the light and fluffy snow here--where I lived in Oregon it was usually wet and heavy.
I may just have to make a martini tonight, your's sounded like it looked like snow should smell and I will take a photo...
And 40...til this year I sort of longed for it, mostly for the body thing...but I think I look better in silvery grey and am learning who I am and that takes years off my shoulders...
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