60 Beauty Tips For Women Of A Certain Age

By Darlene Mitchell March 23, 2022 March 23, 2022 Humor, International Women's Day, Positive Vibes

60 Beauty Tips For Women Of A Certain Age

By Anna Hessel

Certain Age, Turn The Page…

In honor of Women’s History Month, let’s help us beautiful women of a certain age look and feel our best with sixty ways to be fabulous in your forties, fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties, nineties, and beyond…

Ten For Zen…

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize…
Choose dentists wisely – be as discerning as you would with any other doctor, and use teeth whitening products. White teeth take years off your face.
Accessorize; don’t overdo it but definitely use accessories to your best advantage.
Don’t ever wear stained clothes or apparel with holes or tears, unless they are supposed to be there.
Wear clothes that fit and float away from the body. Don’t let frumpy become your friend. This goes double for tacky; don’t look cheap.
Even if you can only afford thrift or mass merchandise store clothes, keep them clean and repaired. Check seams and button holes for the best quality you can afford.
Get manicures and pedicures – chipped polish and talons are not flattering.
Wear a decent bra and Spanx or the like.
Avoid dangerous plastic surgery but non invasive Brazilian butt lifts, face peels, skin tightening, microdermabrasion, and micro-needling can help you look your best.
Don’t smoke.

Twenty And Plenty…

Bathe or shower daily.
Moisturize your eye area; I have used Vaseline and eye cream for years, and it pays off.
Bangs are cheaper and likely safer than Botox.
Get some exercise. I love water exercise; dance, yoga – do whatever your mobility level allows.
Wear whatever you like – age appropriate is what you can rock, however, don’t wear clothes with teddy bears or the like.
Use a good quality neck cream, whatever you can afford, but expensive doesn’t always mean better.
Try to avoid stress but if you can’t destress the best you can.
Be well groomed – razors, tweezers, and waxing are your friends.
Wear makeup – not too much, not too little.
Smile, even if your mask hides it – your eyes show it.

Thirty And Flirty…

Laugh lines mean you laugh and have joy in your life. We have earned every wrinkle.
Go blonde, it gives the illusion of thickness, hides gray hairs, and adds body.
Do not wear socks with sandals, or Velcro closure anything, ever.
Get your rest, eat in color: fruits, veggies, lean protein, and don’t over do sugar.
Don’t over indulge in alcohol but wine can be a mature woman’s friend.
Search the net or magazines for hairstyles that flatter mature faces and thinner tresses. Take a photo to show your hair stylist. Avoid gels, opt for mousse. Condition but don’t over condition. Dry shampoos for bangs and the scalp area are helpful.
Find a skin care regimen that works for you. Never go to bed without washing your face. Wash the makeup and day away but avoid harsh cleansers.
Don’t blot your lipstick.
Matte lipsticks are great under a mask but drying. Don’t forget your lip area – lip masks and balm are very important
Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate…

Forty And Fun…

Eyebrows need extra care at our age: pencil, gel, henna, and tints are all options to fill in sparse brows.
Mascara both top and bottom lashes; falsies are in style, go for it…
A bit of fragrance adds a feminine touch.
Smart is beautiful.
Have fun – it will take some years off.
Have faith – it shows on your face.
Use heat hair styling appliances sparingly and condition, but be careful of conditioners and hair products that weigh hair down.
Avoid severe hair styles and extra heavy hair spray.
I had read someplace that beautiful Martha Stewart starts each day by applying a face mask. I have begun to adopt this daily routine.
It’s okay to not be twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty or even seventy, beauty is not a number or a size.

Fifty And Nifty…

Parabens, mineral oil, and petroleum, I do avoid but admit to using petroleum jelly. Try coconut oil for a natural alternative.
Avoid chemicals, preservatives, artificial flavors or colors, and processed food.
Wear Betsey Johnson and Norma Kamali; at what age do we stop having fun with our clothes and accessories? Never.
Be cautious and educated before trying a new beauty procedure of any kind.
Tried and true microdermabrasion is a great exfoliating treatment, salon or home based – it gets rid of dead skin cells; use a firming moisturizer to follow.
Products containing retinol, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid are helpful. A good facial with extraction will remove blackheads safely.
Avoid adult acne with proper cleansing and use heavy moisturizers, especially those containing oils, in moderation. A little goes a long way.
Minoxidil for women and supplements such as biotin for hair, skin, and nails are excellent for women our age, as our hair thins.
Don’t sleep on your face and keep linens, especially pillowcases, very clean.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – drink plenty of water. We filter our tap water and I love bottled water, especially Evian.

Sixty Is Sexy…

Avoid saturated fats, but opt for healthy fats such as nuts, salmon and the like.
Don’t experiment with new skin or hair care before a major event; this goes double for haircuts and beauty procedures.
We all have an overly enthusiastic friend, family member, or colleague that sells a direct market cosmetic line that is working wonders for them, maybe we sell a line ourselves, but don’t feel obligated to buy, use what works for you. Don’t expect to look twenty again; be realistic in choosing skin care but good dermal maintenance is a must.
Pets are a blessing – they help us destress and show lots of love. Show your love to an animal, it will show on your beautiful face.
Maintain excellent posture – don’t slouch still holds true. Hold your tummy in, your shoulders back and down. Strut like you mean it, knee brace and all.
If you can no longer wear stilettos, there are many attractive shoes out there with lower heels or flats.
Make your own homemade beauty products. Find recipes online or experiment. It’s a great way to use up recently outdated fruits, yogurt, cucumbers, or the like. Coffee grinds make a great cellulite treatment but can be a bit of a mess to use.
We all know what Elle Woods says about endorphins: “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.” Sex is exercise – just saying…
Live life like Elle after Warner tells her she is not smart enough for Harvard Law.
“And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance…” Dancing will give you endorphins…

Ready, Set, Grow!

Go for it, beautiful woman of a certain age – you are stunning…

Women’s Day Celebrates Women

By Darlene Mitchell March 7, 2022 March 7, 2022 Holidays, International Women's Dau, International Women's Day, Poetry, Quotes, Update

30 Quotes Celebrating Women

30 Quotes Celebrating Women:

International Women’s Day

D. S. Mitchell

March 8th marks a wartime strike in 1917, when Russian women demanded “bread and peace”. Within four days of the strike’s start, the tsar was forced to abdicate and the provisional government granted women the right to vote. That is how and why March 8 became the date we celebrate Women’s Day.

The date is recognized world wide as International Women’s Day; a day to recognize the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is also a day to raise awareness of women’s equality and lobby for accelerated gender parity. I thought it might be fun to look at some famous quotes celebrating women, so here goes, be inspired:

3o Quotes Honoring Women

1.) “Here’s to strong women: May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” –Unknown

2.) “To tell a woman everything she cannot do is to tell her what she can.” –Spanish Proverb

3.) “Well-behaved women rarely make history.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

4.) “The best protection any woman can have is courage.” –Elizabeth Cady Stanton

5.) “Where there is a woman, there is magic.” –Ntozake Shange

6.) “You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it.” –Unknown

7.) “Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world.” –Hilary Clinton

8.) “Feminism is for everyone.”-Bell Hooks

9.) “There’s nothing a man can do that I can’t do better and in heels.” –Ginger Rogers

10.) “Above all, be the heroine of your life. Not the victim.” –Nora Ephron

11.) “Girls should never be afraid to be smart.” –Emma Watson

12.) “Life is tough, my darling, but so are you.” –Stephanie Bennett-Henry

13.) “A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.” –Gina Carey

14.) “She wasn’t looking for a knight. She was looking for a sword.” –Atticus

15.) “A strong woman stands up for herself. A stronger woman stands up for everyone else.” –Unknown

16.) “Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” –G.D. Anderson

17.) “You can always tell who the strong women are. They are the ones you see building one another up instead of tearing each other down.” –Unknown

18.) “The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me.” –Ayn Rand

19.) “I’m tough, I’m ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.” –Madonna

20.) “A woman is like a tea bag: You can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

21.) “A woman should be like a single flower—not a whole bouquet.” –Anna Held

22.) “I know what I bring to the table… So trust me when I say I’m not afraid to eat alone.” –Unknown

23.) “Women are the real architects of society.” –Cher

24.) “When women wake, mountains move.” Chinese Proverb

25.) “She’s a strong cup of black coffee in a world that is drunk on the cheap wine of shallow love.” –Unknown

26.) “Never be ashamed of a scar. It simply means you were stronger than whatever tried to hurt you.” –Unknown

27.) “I expect woman will be the last thing civilized by man.” –George Meredith

28.) “Women are made to be loved, not understood.” –Oscar Wilde

29.) “The age of a woman doesn’t mean a thing. The best tunes are played on the oldest fiddles.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

30.) “In our society, the women who break down barriers are those who ignore limits” –Arnold Schwarzenegger

https://www.calamitypolitics.com/2017/03/29/quotes-on-courage/

John “Jack” Addison Babcock

By Darlene Mitchell March 6, 2022 March 13, 2022 Arts & Entertainment, Humor, Jack Babcock, Poetry, Schizophrenia

Jack Babcock 6/7/1948-2/21/2022

“. . .And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead.” Rest in peace dear friend, you will be missed.

Editor: It is with deep sadness that Calamity News and Politics announces the death of our dear friend and contributor, Jack Babcock. Jack was a passionate and prolific writer and poet. He had a wonderful sense of humor that drew people to him and he had a very rich social life with many interests and hobbies. He loved birds and animals. He enjoyed playing the guitar, and reading T. S. Eliot. If you’ve visited CNP before you have probably seen some of his postings. Although Jack passed in late February his Memorial Service was held yesterday, 3/5/2022. So today is a good day to laugh a bit and look for the bright side of the situation; that was Jack’s way. You can find Jack Babcock’s books of poems on his Amazon site at this link:

You can find him at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=jack+babcock&ref=nb_sb_noss

POETRY MORSELS

By Jack Babcock

the bird

the birds
wings cut the sky
another bird proud
has his own
way to fly
cutting the sky
hovering over his nest
as if to say
I am the best
His wings cut the sky
Amazing you and I

********

Bed

I saw on the tube
An ad for a bed
King sized

I’m single bed Jack

It would be nice to do things in two

doing things in one tho is nice
no petty quarrels
no intrigue no spice

one is just fine for now
two is too many maybe

my uncle used to say
that he was a lone angel

so be it. I’m an angel.

********

living

what’s the point of living
if you can’t
smoke a cigarette
drink a beer
blow some dope
or
drop some acid
what’s the point
Author’s note:
14 years of sobriety

********

baseball

illness

I have 3 illnesses

Schizophrenia
Diabetes
Acute kidney disease

3 strikes 3 strikes and you’re out

But I feel pretty well

Jack lived in suburban NE Portland, Oregon. In 2020 his suburban neighborhood was threatened by wildfires. They were on a standing Fire Evacuation Alert (Red Alert Level 3) for a week. It was pretty scary times here on the west coast. I remember the sky was a sallow yellow and the smoke was blinding. Totally unprecedented devastation. I thought readers might enjoy Jack’s quirky take on that very dangerous situation.

fire

the red sun

peers thru the smoke

the news is near doom

I haven’t had asparagus in years

or a banana split

the president waves a flag

I hope for one last good meal

Red Alert Level 3.

Jack graduated from U of O with a degree in English and he went on to Lewis and Clark law school. Although his grades had been good enough to get him into law school, he became too sick with Schizophrenia to continue after his first year. Please enjoy Jack’s quirky take on life, and the deep pain of his mental illness. Being smart and doing all the right things doesn’t protect you from mental illness.

Brown Door

the brown door is shut……

I’m mentally ill. I smash the door, howl and scream.

Let me out of this madhouse quoth I.

and behind the brown door are lunatics.

drooling, sneezing, coughing, playing

with themselves.

what do they need?

just not to be put behind the brown door.

they need sunshine and music, laughter.

but, the brown door is shut.

********

Sweet Julia

i compared you

to a movie star

you balked

said you weren’t that attractive

is it possible

you don’t know how pretty you are

Julia

i told someone

i write you letters, poems

they thought that was sweet and kind

nothing of the sort

i do what i have to do

i feel i must write to you

looking at things

my aunt left me

an utrillo print

a few rings

a spode china set

all so pretty

so real, i love them, i loved my aunt

and there is you

my dear

i think i love you too.

********

Well

yotta yotta yata

so it goes

pornography or poetry

yadda yadda ya

whats the diff

it seems important to smile

death has no

yadda yatta

freedom and obscurity

yotta yotta ya

what now my love?

yotta ya.

https://www.calamitypolitics.com/2019/02/13/mental-illness-i-m-prism-by-jack-babcock/

https://www.calamitypolitics.com/2020/09/14/fire-by-jack-babcock/

What’s In A Name

By Darlene Mitchell March 6, 2022 March 6, 2022 Adoption, DNA, Humor, Positive Vibes

What’s In A Name

By Anna Hessel

A New Beginning…

As one of my milestone birthdays quickly approaches, my thoughts have wandered to my birth. I was privately adopted as a newborn by an older couple that were never meant to be parents. Through DNA testing and the state of Pennsylvania finally opening original birth certificate availability to adoptees a few years ago, I have been blessed with finding my biological family. So far I am in contact with two lovely sisters, a beautiful niece, and a couple of cousins and their families, one of whom has become one of my dearest friends. She has encouraged me to reach out to my other siblings and maintains our family tree with the accuracy of a brain surgeon – a truly amazing lady.

Oh Yeah, I Blend…

My adopted family was abusive and ashamed of my multi racial ethnicities. I, on the other hand, am thrilled to be an Irish, Italian, Hispanic, Iraqi Jewish Christian. I was cheated out of growing up with sibling camaraderie and arguments, but I do have dear friends that have become my family. My spouse and I are truly blessed.

Choose Carefully

When I was adopted, my birth name was changed. This angered me; a name at birth should remain through a lifetime. Hopefully parents will take this into account before choosing overly unusual names. Names are special, and should be treated with reverence. When we adopted our most recent lovable Puggle, we kept her beautiful name Sasha. In Hebrew it means defender of mankind. I will admit we changed our younger cat’s name from Nala to Brioche when we brought her home, to go with our older kitty’s name Latte. Now Nala is now her middle cat name. They go together like peanut butter and jelly.

102 Worst Valentine’s Day Gifts Ever . . .

By Darlene Mitchell January 25, 2022 January 25, 2022 Donald J. Trump, Holidays, Humor, Valentine's Day

102 Worst Valentine’s Day Gifts Ever . . .

Editor: Usually Anna outlines the perfect gifts and outings for the holidays, however, today she wants to warn you lovers, there are a few things you should steer clear of on the most romantic holiday of the year.

By Anna Hessel

Don’t Even Think Of Buying These For Your Valentine…

A sponge mop from Dollar Tree
An autographed photo of Donald Trump – I would rather have the sponge mop from Dollar Tree.
Slippers in the shape of a unicorn
A night at a Trump hotel – this will surely put an end to your relationship.
Naming a cockroach after your significant other – naming a cockroach after Donald Trump, however, is a different story but to be safe, stick with a virtual adoption of a beautiful animal headed toward extinction.
Any item made by the “my pillow” guy.
A COVID test kit (well, on second thought…)
Any bottle of lotion that has the word “firming” on the label.
A DVD collection of the Bachelor – if the dude was capable of getting his own date, he wouldn’t need a reality check, I mean show.
A “Trumpy Bear” – yes the damn things actually exist, we live in a sick world.

David Shadrick “First They Came-2022”

By Darlene Mitchell January 20, 2022 January 20, 2022 Asian Issues, Black and Brown Issues, Human Rights, Poetry, Race/Ethnicity

First They Came-2022

“First They Came-2022”

By David Shadrick

(A re-write of the Martin Niemöller poem)

First they came for the Muslims

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Muslim

Then they came for the Mexicans

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Mexican

Then they came for the Blacks

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Black

Then they came for the Native Americans

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Native American

Then they came for the queer guy

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a queer guy

Then they came for the Jews

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left

To speak for me.

Martin Niemoller “First They Came”

By Darlene Mitchell January 19, 2022 January 19, 2022 Fascism, Germany, Human Rights, Poetry, War and Conflict

Martin Niemoller “FIRST THEY CAME”

“First They Came” was written by anti-Nazi pastor, Martin Niemoller. The message is clear.

First They Came

By Martin Niemöller

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.

Another Tribute To Betty White

By Darlene Mitchell January 18, 2022 January 18, 2022 Animal Rights, Arts & Entertainment, Betty White, Pet ownership, Positive Vibes

Another Tribute To Betty White

Editor: Normally CNP stays away from publishing articles on similar topics two days in a row. But in this case I said, Oh, hell, yes. So here is the second article on Betty White in two days, and I suggest just like Anna Hessel, let’s all try to be more like Betty. *Please consider donating to your local no kill shelter in the name of Betty White.

“Be Like Betty”

By Anna Hessel

The Great Betty White

The world remembers the legendary Betty White with awe, honor, and respect. Those that knew her personally recognized she treated everyone with equal importance and kindness. We often recall the “Golden Girls” theme song, “Thank You For Being A Friend”, when thinking of Betty. She was a friend to all, especially God’s furry creatures.

Lover Of All Big And Small

She is quoted as saying, “When I am around animals, I don’t pay attention to people”. Her parents were animal lovers, also, so Betty grew up visiting zoos on a regular basis. Animal rights organizations have been flooded with donations on what would have been her 100th birthday, January 17th. She was a champion of other liberal causes, as well. Also on her birthday, a Google search of Ms. White’s name unlocked rose petals fluttering down the page and a message saying, “Thank you for being a friend”.

A Television Pioneer

Ms. White was a pioneer of women in television, the first female to produce a situation comedy, “Life With Elizabeth”. In the opening of NBC’s “The Betty White Show”, which aired in 1954, Ms. White sang the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic song from “The King and I”, “Getting to Know You”. She played various characters – naughty Sue Ann Nivens, The Happy Homemaker on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”, had the title role in “The Betty White Show”, but is remembered most as the loveable, storytelling Rose Nyland on the cult classic “Golden Girls”.

Andrew Gold “Thank You For Being A Friend”

By Darlene Mitchell January 18, 2022 January 18, 2022 Arts & Entertainment, Jukebox Choice, Music, Videos

Andrew Gold “Thank You For Being A Friend”

In Honor of Betty White, the Calamity Jukebox Choice of the Day is Andrew Gold doing, “Thank You For Being A Friend”.

Lyrics Below:

Thank you for being a friend
Traveled down a road and back again
Your heart is true, you’re a pal and a confidant

I’m not ashamed to say
I hope it always will stay this way
My hat is off, won’t you stand up and take a bow

And if you threw a party
Invited everyone you knew
Well, you would see the biggest gift would be from me
And the card attached would say

Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend

If it’s a car you lack
I’d surely buy you a Cadillac
Whatever you need, any time of the day or night

I’m not ashamed to say
I hope it always will stay this way
My hat is off, won’t you stand up and take a bow

And when we both get older
With walking canes and hair of gray
Have no fear, even though it’s hard to hear
I will stand real close and say

Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)
Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)
Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)
Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)

Let me tell you ’bout a friend (I wanna thank you)
Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)
Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)
Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)

And when we die and float away
Into the night, the Milky Way
You’ll hear me call as we ascend
I’ll see you there, then once again

Thank you for being a

Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)
Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)
Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)
Thank you for being a friend
People, let me tell you ’bout a friend (I wanna thank you)
Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)
Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)
Thank you for being a friend

Whoa, tell you ’bout a friend (let me thank you right now for being a friend)
Thank you for being a friend (I wanna tell you ’bout a pal and I’ll tell you again)
Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you, thank you)
Thank you for being a friend

Source: LyricFind

23 Safe Driving Tips For Fog and Rain

By Darlene Mitchell January 15, 2022 January 15, 2022 Driving Safely in Bad Weather, Emergency Preparedness, Travel

23 Safe Driving Tips For Fog And Rain

Great Tips to keep you safe while driving on wet, foggy, winter roads

By D. S. Mitchell

Rain And Fog

I live in the Pacific Northwest. Although we don’t see much snow, Mother Nature keeps us on our toes with lots of rain and fog. Of course, rain happens all the time, all over the world. Despite wet roads people need to get from place to place. But rainy weather can bring really slick roads, causing skids, hydroplaning, and collisions. A second weather hazard we see a lot of in my area is fog. Fog can make driving difficult; what I really mean is, when the two hazards come together the danger doubles. When things turn grey and wet remember there are some common sense driving tips to keep you safe.