Over at Stu Savory’s blog, the “auld Scot” is challenging us bloggers to follow his lead and post photos from throughout our lifetimes. So, below are sixty-four years of my face.
The top line is from the 40s and 50s, the middle from the 60s and 70s, and the bottom line from the 80s, 90s, and 00s. Next month, I’ll be sixty-five. I figure I’m overweight about a pound and a half for each 5 years I’ve been on this earth being photographed — not that this fact has any relevance to the photos below, but it will have relevance when I post my 65th birthday photo. Most of those pounds found their way to me during the past three years. Surviving caregiving requires lots of comfort foods.
OK, Stu. Heeerrre’s the Crone!

As my mom continues to slowly fade and fail, I have decisions to make that will affect both our lives. Move or not move somewhere else… Move in with her… Keep relying on sweet and helpfpul neighbors… Hire someone to come in to keep her company when I go out…
I don’t know what the right decisions are. On Monday, I take her to a geriatric doctor who, I hope, will make an assessment of her and her future on which I can base some decisions.
So, instead, I cook. Old fashioned chicken soup with lots of garlic. And this easy Black Bean soup, which even my mother likes:
1 cup salsa
2 cans black beans
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp. lime juice
2 Tbl fresh cilantro
puree 1/2 and add back to regular then heat
I added some corn as well.
When all else fails, I eat.