MONICA!!!!! I am so happy you posted this. I was going to make some sort of fuss about it myself, maybe even in this issue's introductory letter. And then I paused and said, NO—let's see if anyone brings it up.
I am for sure going to look into this for a future issue. Imagine you've been dreaming your whole life of playing pro baseball, and then you get recruited by....
I didn't even know about them until 5 hours ago and now I love them. I bought a t-shirt. Their logo substitutes the stitching on a baseball with a double helix. They will only exist for one year (they were created to balance the schedule) and then they will dissolve like DNA in water. I'd die for them and I don't even like baseball.
Your interviews are the best! That rubber plant needs to be repotted, not cut. Got a friend who is retired and has an amazing green thumb. He said, thin dead stalks during the replant (the ones you overwatered :)) and then use a heating pad underneath the plant to spur growth and use some root hormone and maybe get some lower buds. If that doesn't work then whacking it and hoping for lower growth. Like most things in life, I KNOW NOTHING but often we all know someone who knows better. The next time I'm at his house, with permission, I'll post some photos of his beautiful plants. Hard to believe in such a cold climate. He says repot or trim back in the spring if possible and be patient.
My favorite part of the interviews is when the Lutheran minister questions you back on whether your name is Cafe. That is strong.
Heard back from my friend. He passed me to his spouse. She said she doesn't have experience with rubber plants but repotting with hormones n heat makes sense since tropical
I agree with Mark! (And I also voted no.) A few years ago I inherited an extremely sad, neglected plant from my old boss and it looked very similar to yours. I didn't want it, but I couldn't just let it die, so I talked to a florist around the corner and they recommended repotting - but not to a huge pot, just one that was maybe an extra inch around in diameter. So I did that and also gave it some plant food and a nice sunny window, and it took a year or so, but it eventually filled out everywhere, including at the bottom. It's totally thriving now!
LOL You know, I had some hesitation about that one. 62 is *technically* a senior, but it certainly does not rise the level of "oldster," much less "venerable". In my defense, I spotted Mr. McCutcheon from the back and by the time I was a few seconds into saying hello and realized he really was not old enough, it was too late. Rules are rules! In any case I'm glad I kept going because I loved his response.
My less pointed comment was going to be something about "a senior who hang with the Ramones" and just bemoaning our overall aging as cohorts, but that wasn't as good whining (IMO) as what I did post :)
You have the unenviable task of making a visual assessment of someone's belong to a specific demographic group. I'm reminded of the Ann Landers advice of never ever assuming a woman is pregnant.
Senior Citizen Roulette never disappoints! There's wisdom, and humor, and humanity in all of these interviews. And we got to meet a real Ramones scenster -- too cool!
I guess if I fess up to seeing the amazing Dion DiMucci play ( who, as iconic Bronx-ite deserves a profile in which NONE of the usual subjects he is questioned about are the only topics-and if anyone could pull that off, you can) in SEVEN different decades that makes me a "Senior"-though except for the discount parts it's not something I necessarily advertise. And I'll ultimately be sending at least $omething to that Remsen address as I'd really been missing the wsj profiles I often applauded you personally for-but heck, as a senior those digital pay platforms make me shudder!
You're one of a kind, Anne-glad I decided to do a search. Fascinating approach regarding Senior Roulette....good for you!
Of course Curtis was the mayor NYC really needed but foolishly declined.
I’ve not heard anyone mention L’Amour in a couple of decades. At least! First place my high school BFF and I ever went to underaged 😂 it was 1992(?) and we got all dolled up and went… probably way too early on a totally dead night. They gladly served us and we sat there wondering where all the fun was…. My stepbrother’s band “Obituary” played there a bit. Yea that was really the name of the band… all to say it’s really scary to see that this place made SENIORS ROULETTE! I’m feeling a little aged right now.
I think I freaked out a fair number of people by including Dave. He really is not old enough to qualify! But as I explained in another comment I first spotted him from the back and by the time I got a good look at his face I was already rolling along with things....
Right? I feel like you can maybe fit one potato into a payphone coin return slot, even if they are tiny! I might need to go back to Helen for more intel.
Please sign me up for the Helen Z. fan club. Tiny potatoes!
I'm also a huge fan of Senior Citizen Roulette. I gasped with excitement when I saw it in my inbox and you know I am being 100% literal.
I'm in Lisbon for the summer and studying Portuguese with gusto so I can understand what the seniors are saying to me (really my dog) every morning when we get coffee. It always starts with confirming that the dog is a girl and saying that she's the best dog on the planet. Then there's several more minutes of mystery.
The information that people feel they need to know about dogs, so they understand who the dog is, is very interesting in itself. With my Minnie, people always need to know first what breed she is, because she is a bit unusual looking. Then age, then gender. And then of course, this being lefty Brooklyn, people need to know if she is a "rescue," as if I somehow swooped in with shield and sword and released her from the clutches of some bad actors.
So happy to hear you are having that adventure in Portugal!
The Kentucky Wild Health Genomes????? Is everybody just going to let that slide by?
MONICA!!!!! I am so happy you posted this. I was going to make some sort of fuss about it myself, maybe even in this issue's introductory letter. And then I paused and said, NO—let's see if anyone brings it up.
I am for sure going to look into this for a future issue. Imagine you've been dreaming your whole life of playing pro baseball, and then you get recruited by....
WHAT?!?!?!?!?
I didn't even know about them until 5 hours ago and now I love them. I bought a t-shirt. Their logo substitutes the stitching on a baseball with a double helix. They will only exist for one year (they were created to balance the schedule) and then they will dissolve like DNA in water. I'd die for them and I don't even like baseball.
That’s priceless. Can’t make this stuff up…
Oh will you please, please, please send a photo of you wearing the t-shirt when it arrives?
I was GOING to say something and then I got sidetracked by L’Amour.
Your interviews are the best! That rubber plant needs to be repotted, not cut. Got a friend who is retired and has an amazing green thumb. He said, thin dead stalks during the replant (the ones you overwatered :)) and then use a heating pad underneath the plant to spur growth and use some root hormone and maybe get some lower buds. If that doesn't work then whacking it and hoping for lower growth. Like most things in life, I KNOW NOTHING but often we all know someone who knows better. The next time I'm at his house, with permission, I'll post some photos of his beautiful plants. Hard to believe in such a cold climate. He says repot or trim back in the spring if possible and be patient.
My favorite part of the interviews is when the Lutheran minister questions you back on whether your name is Cafe. That is strong.
Thanks for the plant advice, I'll pass it on to Ann.
So curious to know...how did you vote?
Heard back from my friend. He passed me to his spouse. She said she doesn't have experience with rubber plants but repotting with hormones n heat makes sense since tropical
Geeze it sounds like a porn scene!
I better proof my comments going forward
No mostly b/c my friend explained it to me.
I agree with Mark! (And I also voted no.) A few years ago I inherited an extremely sad, neglected plant from my old boss and it looked very similar to yours. I didn't want it, but I couldn't just let it die, so I talked to a florist around the corner and they recommended repotting - but not to a huge pot, just one that was maybe an extra inch around in diameter. So I did that and also gave it some plant food and a nice sunny window, and it took a year or so, but it eventually filled out everywhere, including at the bottom. It's totally thriving now!
(defensively) a 62-year-old is a senior?
(even MORE defensively) btw I'm not yet in my sixties!
LOL You know, I had some hesitation about that one. 62 is *technically* a senior, but it certainly does not rise the level of "oldster," much less "venerable". In my defense, I spotted Mr. McCutcheon from the back and by the time I was a few seconds into saying hello and realized he really was not old enough, it was too late. Rules are rules! In any case I'm glad I kept going because I loved his response.
Yes, yes, yes!
My less pointed comment was going to be something about "a senior who hang with the Ramones" and just bemoaning our overall aging as cohorts, but that wasn't as good whining (IMO) as what I did post :)
You have the unenviable task of making a visual assessment of someone's belong to a specific demographic group. I'm reminded of the Ann Landers advice of never ever assuming a woman is pregnant.
I really love these random interviews. Everyone has a story (and so few get to share).
Thanks DCM. They're so much fun to do. I am always surprised!
"Right now, the website needs work"--Just love it.
Another reader Googled and found it! His work is wonderful and charming. I am going to respect his wishes though and not link to it...
The part about you drinking a lot of coffee and thus you are also the Cafe part really made my morning.
And I only had two cups that morning!
I don’t live in New York but these newsletters make me wish I did.
Thank you Anna! I love to hear that!
Senior Citizen Roulette never disappoints! There's wisdom, and humor, and humanity in all of these interviews. And we got to meet a real Ramones scenster -- too cool!
Thanks Michael! So glad you're enjoying them!
I guess if I fess up to seeing the amazing Dion DiMucci play ( who, as iconic Bronx-ite deserves a profile in which NONE of the usual subjects he is questioned about are the only topics-and if anyone could pull that off, you can) in SEVEN different decades that makes me a "Senior"-though except for the discount parts it's not something I necessarily advertise. And I'll ultimately be sending at least $omething to that Remsen address as I'd really been missing the wsj profiles I often applauded you personally for-but heck, as a senior those digital pay platforms make me shudder!
You're one of a kind, Anne-glad I decided to do a search. Fascinating approach regarding Senior Roulette....good for you!
Of course Curtis was the mayor NYC really needed but foolishly declined.
Cheers, Crez
Crez! So happy to be back in touch!
I’ve not heard anyone mention L’Amour in a couple of decades. At least! First place my high school BFF and I ever went to underaged 😂 it was 1992(?) and we got all dolled up and went… probably way too early on a totally dead night. They gladly served us and we sat there wondering where all the fun was…. My stepbrother’s band “Obituary” played there a bit. Yea that was really the name of the band… all to say it’s really scary to see that this place made SENIORS ROULETTE! I’m feeling a little aged right now.
"Obituary." So great!
I think I freaked out a fair number of people by including Dave. He really is not old enough to qualify! But as I explained in another comment I first spotted him from the back and by the time I got a good look at his face I was already rolling along with things....
I love this so much and am officially waiting to be discovered for Seniors Roulette!
I think I know where to find you...
How many potatoes?
Right? I feel like you can maybe fit one potato into a payphone coin return slot, even if they are tiny! I might need to go back to Helen for more intel.
The plant survey is too much responsibility!
Exactly! Thank God I was able to offload to the newsletter readers...
Anne, your interviews with the seniors just crack me up. You are unflappable!😅
Thanks Nick! I'd love to get your ideas for new questions to ask, if you've got any!
Sounds good. A few that come to mind:
-What is something that a lot of people believe, BUT you know they are incorrect? Do you have a better solution, describe it?
-What is something difficult that you encountered in your life and how did you survive it and maybe overcome it?
-What is a technology or invention that is just amazing to you? Why?
-Would you rather stay on Earth or get a 1 way ticket to Mars? Why?
These are great Nick. I especially love the last one. Thank you!
Please sign me up for the Helen Z. fan club. Tiny potatoes!
I'm also a huge fan of Senior Citizen Roulette. I gasped with excitement when I saw it in my inbox and you know I am being 100% literal.
I'm in Lisbon for the summer and studying Portuguese with gusto so I can understand what the seniors are saying to me (really my dog) every morning when we get coffee. It always starts with confirming that the dog is a girl and saying that she's the best dog on the planet. Then there's several more minutes of mystery.
Thanks Cori!
The information that people feel they need to know about dogs, so they understand who the dog is, is very interesting in itself. With my Minnie, people always need to know first what breed she is, because she is a bit unusual looking. Then age, then gender. And then of course, this being lefty Brooklyn, people need to know if she is a "rescue," as if I somehow swooped in with shield and sword and released her from the clutches of some bad actors.
So happy to hear you are having that adventure in Portugal!
I feel like both Clint and Dave would vote for decapitating and radically repotting the rubber tree plant....
YES! But Chris and Eleanor? I think they'd lean toward "leave it alone."