You will grow old—and it’s weird

How To Be Old
How To Be Old
You will grow old—and it's weird
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Why this podcast? Because growing old is weird. We can’t imagine ourselves being old, let alone very old. Of course we know some old people—our parents, teachers, grandparents—but they’re not us, are they? We still feel young, so growing older takes us by surprise. I wonder why… Your future old self will always be a mystery. (Mine too.) But you can pick up clues from older people. Maybe even from this podcast.

Drawing of a fertile and flourishing palm tree beside a decrepit old house.

An old house, a fertile young palm tree: no comparison!

You can read the poem too, if you like.

20 thoughts on “You will grow old—and it’s weird

    1. Rachel McAlpine says:

      Oh Monica thanks! You are my very first listener. It will take a few days before it appears in directories but hey, I’ve taken the plunge.

      1. I think you’re very brave. And your voice sounds lovely.

      2. Rachel McAlpine says:

        Well you’re right, it is scary. I’m relieved you say the voice is ok, phew.

  1. Ohhhhh, Rachel! What a delight!! I finally found some time to listen to your first podcast, and I was enchanted from the start. First of all, it’s wonderful to hear your voice, which has a lilt to it that perfectly fits your persona as we’ve come to know you here on your blog. I could even understand most of your “accent” (I know, who has the “accent” – you or I?). You were right here with me in my little living space, old friends who love to munch on words and ideas and make something creative with them. I agree with your insights today. My blog for this week – so far – will be reflecting some of the same thoughts. How gallant you are to take this on. It has all the humor and quirky lightness and creativity that we’ve come to know on your blog. Your format is marvelous and I can’t wait to hear more! Thank you for being you!

    1. Rachel McAlpine says:

      Thank you so so much, Grace. You can’t imagine how much I appreciate your encouragement. Particularly I’m glad that you experience the podcast as I hoped, and a conversation among friends. “Gallant” is a fine word and I’ll do my best. I look forward to your next blog post on the same subject.

  2. jukkasoft says:

    Really interesting, since I love “time-travelling” and keeping a diary. This was a delight!

    1. Rachel McAlpine says:

      That’s terrific: you must be better prepared than most.

  3. jukkasoft says:

    I had ominous visions of the future at age ~12 I think it was. Gotta check my diary. Back then I said something like (in a side phrase, quickly); “year 2020; oh well, I will be probably a dad, 40+, of a few kids then, and blahblah..” Spot on. See, now I am 42 and that was correct. I did catch a bit of a sentiment of my own writing that would suggest it will be then boring, the usual family life. 😀 That’s why it was such fun to catch the explanation of the thinking pattern of how future is rather hard subject for us, in your podcast. We do think of the future in rather flimsy ways often.

    1. Rachel McAlpine says:

      Ah, your arithmetic was better than mine but we did glimpse the bare bones of a future.

      1. Rachel McAlpine says:

        It’s already on Stitcher, if you have that app. Apple takes a bit longer. Today I’ll start the process with Spotify. (My system is so manual, it’s almost analog.) We’ll get there.

      2. Elizabeth says:

        I have Apple so I will look there.

      3. Rachel McAlpine says:

        Love Apple and it has 80% of all podcasts

      4. Elizabeth says:

        I loaded Stitcher and heard it. Nice to feel accompanied in aging.

      5. Rachel McAlpine says:

        My cup runneth over..

  4. Elizabeth says:

    I am going to find the way to stream this. Don’t know how yet.

  5. Elizabeth says:

    Just looked at Apple and didn’t find it. Did I misunderstand that it is already up there?

    1. Rachel McAlpine says:

      Oh how thrilling! For me, I mean. Now it seems like a real thing. I have one listener! Or even subscriber, perhaps. Thanks Elizabeth.

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