This is the beginning of my series titled “55 Things”. You can learn more about this series here.
This being my birthday-week post I decided to share with you a couple of my thoughts about aging or at least the appearance of aging.
Gray Hair
I’ve earned it! 🙂
Wrinkles
This song pretty much sums it up you can click to listen or just read the lyrics below if you prefer.
Wrinkles
Diamond Rio
Gettin’ out of the tub all drawn up like a raisin
Showed my fingers to my Daddy while he was shavin’
Said look at my toes Dad what’s wrong with my skin
Will this go away, will I be normal again
Well he picked me up and set me down on the hamper
Wiped off his face while he gave me the answer
For the first time I noticed the lines in his grin
As he dabbed a little foam on the end of my chin, he said
Those wrinkles ain’t nothin’ to be scared of
They’re just a product of time and true love
Some are gonna come and go
Some are gonna come and stay
Son, you’re still young, you’re gonna be OK
Well, I walked down the hall, saw my Mom gettin’ ready
For a long over due date, dinner with Daddy
She was cussin’ those crows feet, didn’t know I was listenin’
Started talkin’ â??bout her younger years
And how much she missed them and I said
Those wrinkles ain’t nothin’ to be scared of
They’re just a product of time and true love
Some are gonna come and go
Some are gonna come and stay
Mom you still look young, you’re gonna be OK
As I get a little older, I’m startin’ to get a few
And I’m sure I gave Mom and Dad at least one or two
We’re all gonna have â??em, there ain’t no doubt
But those wrinkles in life ain’t nothin’ you can’t iron out
Those wrinkles ain’t nothin’ to be scared of
They’re just a product of time and true love
Some are gonna come and go
Some are gonna come and stay
I still feel young, I’m gonna be OK
Those wrinkles ain’t nothin’ to be scared of
They’re just a product of time and true love
Songwriters: NEIL THRASHER, RONNY SCAIFE
© Universal Music Publishing Group, Major Bob Music, Inc. / Rio Bravo Music, Inc. / Castle Bound Music, Inc. / Hanna Bea Songs
My attitude largely stems from the fact that while gray hair and wrinkles are natural and harmless many of the products that are used to cover up or prevent these conditions may contain ingredients that are harmful. They may contain hormone disruptors and even known carcinogens. Not a good trade off in my opinion.
If you would like to learn more about body care products and their ingredients you can find much information at the following website https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/.
Thanks for reading. 🙂
Terrific post Ruth – l have grey hair, wrinkles and thinning hair – oh well, at least l have lived a good life and l am not dead yet 🙂
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That’s right you can do lots of good living despite all of those things! 🙂
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I am only 39 but I already have some grey hair! Probably because I am dark skinned, and my hair is originally black, but now its brown as I colored it! I’m embracing them!
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I really think how early we get gray hair may have to do with our genes. I’ve been gradually getting gray since my early 40’s and I teased my kids at times that they were the cause of my gray. If you are going to die your hair it would be prudent to check the ingredients in the hair dye. They can be absorbed through the skin and some can cause health problems.
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Okay, will check, I didn’t know that about the dye. Good thing I know now 🥰
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In the US ingredients in skin and hair care products are not very regulated. Many of the ingredients used here are banned in some other countries. I’m not sure about Ireland but it wouldn’t hurt to check.
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Oh really? I never knew that about the US, wow
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Totally agree with you on the bad stuff in our skin care! That is why I started with Young Living a few years back. Love their products and how they are branching into skin care, sunscreen etc.
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I do think essential oils can be a better option but people need to educate themselves about them as well. The are highly concentrated and have therapeutic effects so it is important to know when and how to use them and just important who should not use them. It seems like by Joining Young Living or similar company they would provide that information.
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You are right. They really encourage you to get a reliable reference book and research. I have people I ask lots of questions of.
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I have no issue with my wrinkles(oh um well there are the ones when you first get up and look in the mirror, you know the ones I mean, that scare the beegeebies out of me at least) these seem to settle down and then you are just left with the day ones. I dont mind them, and I agree totally about the things that are in the products and surgical things. I think of all those women who had silicon implants, and are now living with horrendous illness and scaring. I often think of Botox, and wonder it is made from botulism is there a risk that over time having a lot in your system may cause significant issues down the line. The one thing science is telling me, is that so many things seem a good idea in the time, but decades later you can be paying a horrendous price for it.
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HaHa! I know what you mean about morning wrinkles. Looking is the mirror first thing in the morning is just a bad idea. Wait until after you are rehydrated and things don’t look so bad. You’re right people seem quick to jump on whatever is being sold as the next great thing without looking at long-term consequences. Maybe if we got rid of mirrors all together we would all be healthier.
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Brilliant post! I’m not quite at the age of particularly noticeable signs of ageing so I can’t really talk here, but at the moment I’m very much of the opinion of own it! Wear the wrinkles & grey hair with pride, it’s an honour to age and you’ve definitely earned it. xx
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Thanks Caz! I think that through media and advertising we are led to believe that we must look young forever. I have decided not to buy into it. I know that many ingredients used in cosmetics in the US are banned in other countries. I always recommend that people educate themselves before using a product. Even that is not foolproof because in the States companies do not have to list ingredients used as fragrances.
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Ruth – I’m sending this link separately and simply delete it from this post after you read it. I follow a blogger who wrote about a new hobby – I thought of you immediately. I’m sharing this with you, though I know you have no more room in your day to undertake any more things, let alone another hobby. 🙂
https://amusives.wordpress.com/2020/01/06/what-does-enough-look-like/
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Thanks Linda. I can relate to this post as I sometimes start a crochet project with no plan in mind. The afghan I gave to my father-in law was one. I decided to follow her blog so thanks for the connection. 🙂
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You’re welcome Ruth – I passed along a link from Margy’s site at Christmastime to Anne Mehrling as Margy was showing how to make book angels. I had never heard of book angels and she did two blog posts showing step-by-step directions, so I sent it to Anne as something to do in the Winter months when she got time. Anne said John had bought her a book angel which sits on her piano at Christmas and has for years. It was amazing how she did it. I remember your tablecloth – it was amazing. Some snow today Ruth – do I take a shovel or a broom – still darkish out but I know this is no walk, so I finished off a fun post this a.m.
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We just had a light dusting of snow but enough to cover up ice patches so you couldn’t see them to avoid stepping on them, Potentially dangerous. I stuck mostly to the grassy areas when we took the boys out to the farm this morning.
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I know what you mean Ruth. I don’t recall them saying we were getting freezing rain last night and when I went out this morning to shovel, it was slick under the snow. I came in and put on my hiking boots instead of snow boots to go back outside as I felt more secure that way. There were a lot of accidents this morning. We’re in for substantial rain before this snow event on Sunday. I guess the run of good weather is about to end.
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It sounds like we are in for quite the weather event. It would be nice if they were wrong this time.
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Yes – I can’t give your comment a like Ruth – that is for sure. I think I would have preferred their original forecast of 3-5 inches of snow Saturday into Sunday and not the torrential rains (2-3 inches) and the ice storm. I just hate Winter but that is weather like March. It was still icy out the side of the house but not as bad as yesterday, but I looked out late this afternoon and it looks like it all melted. It’s crazy as I had a slow trickle of water in all the faucets all day yesterday and through noon, plus I did three small loads of laundry to warm the pipes and now it is pouring and in the 40s. The weather is just so erratic anymore that it is crazy.
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It’s hard to meander through this thing we call life without amassing gray hair and wrinkles unfortunately. 🙂
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If we live long enough they are just a natural part of the process. 🙂
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This is sad but true..
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I’m considering embracing the few grey strands that are showing up, keep inspiring me! Thanks Ruth.
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You’re welcome and thank you for your comment because it inspires me. 🙂
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I’d much rather have grey hair and wrinkles than cancer. 😉
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Amen Michelle.
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I’m with you, Ruth. I’ve earned my gray hair! And wrinkles don’t hurt!
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Then I’m in great company!
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I love being in your company.
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Aww – I love having your company too.
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