So thrilled to be mentioned here, thank you! And in the same room with Eleanor Anstruther!? You ask at the beginning, "Who cares what one middle-aged broad thinks ...?" That's pretty much all I care about anymore, sick to death of the rest of them. I'm reading so much writing by midlife-ish women and it's the best. Gidget's adorable 💚
I agree…we midlife women are pretty much all I give my attention to. We Crones. “We.” And that is the thing. Women are cool with “we.” Thank you for piping in, Lisa Renee...I love The Long Middle! Want to Zoom sometime?
As one gets older one realizes that they are on their own to a great degree. One has to generate their own reason or purpose for being and feel an internal solace from writing and painting or sailing or hiking or walking or whatever they do. And beyond your own inner sense of well-being there can be a dog or cat who cares for you and is happy for when you care for them. Then there are the kindred souls on Substack. Their journey is similar even if different to our's but there is a digital common room of empathy going back and forth which energizes, comforts and encourages us all. Looking forward to reading your future posts.
But, I can't snuggle Substack and can snuggle Gidget. But, I agree, Substack is a wonderful oasis from the mania of extremes, for me anyway. I am very glad you are enjoying my posts. That seems to be what I love most about blogging, the moment of lightness writing can bring to another.
PS yes to everything you said in your post. Mine is a standard poodle- after a rough couple of months crying on her shoulders, I’m grateful her fur is so absorbent!
I can’t see the pic! Maybe it’s in the post and won’t show on Notes. Hmmmm Juni is a sweet name. Moms Lulu was very needy. We used to say she wouldn’t have been a person we’d have chosen to hang out with. We called her Gladys a lot.
Haha omg that’s such a funny way to think of pets. Junie is indeed mentally unhinged much of the time. She knows the rules very well and thus how to break them, and she’s a terrible thief especially around unsuspecting children.
We got Gidgie (her nick name) from a breeder in NH. They sent photos of her and I asked my kids to come up with a name. All the names they chose were dumb, like "doggie" "Socks" (actually I can't remember their suggestions but I remember thinking : "I cannot spend the next fifteen years calling a dog that..."). SO...I looked at her little face and Malibu Gidget came to mind...mischievous! Glad yo love her like I do !
That is the cutest, funniest description of your relationship with Gidget. Our dog, Lucie can do no wrong. I often think, why doesn’t my husband treat me like he treats Lucie? Sometimes I’m even jealous. Well, I have an Hermes bag, and she still has a generic collar. I guess there are some benefits to wifedom. You made me laugh, smile, and go and to see what else my dog needs, because her needs reign supreme.
So thrilled to be mentioned here, thank you! And in the same room with Eleanor Anstruther!? You ask at the beginning, "Who cares what one middle-aged broad thinks ...?" That's pretty much all I care about anymore, sick to death of the rest of them. I'm reading so much writing by midlife-ish women and it's the best. Gidget's adorable 💚
I agree…we midlife women are pretty much all I give my attention to. We Crones. “We.” And that is the thing. Women are cool with “we.” Thank you for piping in, Lisa Renee...I love The Long Middle! Want to Zoom sometime?
Not much of a Zoomer, lol, but maybe?
Noted...phone call?
And Gidget is really adorable and ever present.
I agree…we midlife women are pretty much all I give my attention to. We Crones. “We.” And that is the thing. Women are cool with “we.”
As one gets older one realizes that they are on their own to a great degree. One has to generate their own reason or purpose for being and feel an internal solace from writing and painting or sailing or hiking or walking or whatever they do. And beyond your own inner sense of well-being there can be a dog or cat who cares for you and is happy for when you care for them. Then there are the kindred souls on Substack. Their journey is similar even if different to our's but there is a digital common room of empathy going back and forth which energizes, comforts and encourages us all. Looking forward to reading your future posts.
But, I can't snuggle Substack and can snuggle Gidget. But, I agree, Substack is a wonderful oasis from the mania of extremes, for me anyway. I am very glad you are enjoying my posts. That seems to be what I love most about blogging, the moment of lightness writing can bring to another.
Just dropping by to say I LOVE the name Gidget for a dog- and that first pic where she is sitting with her paws crossed is too cute.
PS yes to everything you said in your post. Mine is a standard poodle- after a rough couple of months crying on her shoulders, I’m grateful her fur is so absorbent!
Aw...good dog! They are so smart it's intimidating! And big! My mom had one, LuLu, What is your poodle called?
Lulu is such a great name for a poodle. Ours is Juniper aka Junie. She’s big but a total lapdog. Pic below bc I can’t help myself!
I can’t see the pic! Maybe it’s in the post and won’t show on Notes. Hmmmm Juni is a sweet name. Moms Lulu was very needy. We used to say she wouldn’t have been a person we’d have chosen to hang out with. We called her Gladys a lot.
Haha omg that’s such a funny way to think of pets. Junie is indeed mentally unhinged much of the time. She knows the rules very well and thus how to break them, and she’s a terrible thief especially around unsuspecting children.
We got Gidgie (her nick name) from a breeder in NH. They sent photos of her and I asked my kids to come up with a name. All the names they chose were dumb, like "doggie" "Socks" (actually I can't remember their suggestions but I remember thinking : "I cannot spend the next fifteen years calling a dog that..."). SO...I looked at her little face and Malibu Gidget came to mind...mischievous! Glad yo love her like I do !
That is the cutest, funniest description of your relationship with Gidget. Our dog, Lucie can do no wrong. I often think, why doesn’t my husband treat me like he treats Lucie? Sometimes I’m even jealous. Well, I have an Hermes bag, and she still has a generic collar. I guess there are some benefits to wifedom. You made me laugh, smile, and go and to see what else my dog needs, because her needs reign supreme.
Well, I am so honored to make you laugh! Something about making someone (like you) laugh that is highly satisfying! Love your comment :)
My god... I did not KNOW how much I needed Gidget until this moment! She is marvelous! And yes, bring me ALL the midlife-ish broads. 😂
I have gotten a few emails from people suddenly realizing how much they lean on their dogs for emotional support...just don't squish them!