Yup. Our 93 year-old Mum does Los Angeles. Again.
We’re just back from our five-day trip and I can honestly say that we didn’t waste a minute. Francine certainly didn’t.
Yes, here she is on the flight down taking a moment to record each and every second.
Ever since I can remember, she’s never been without her diary and pen. “I’m convinced it keeps my brain sharp, Kel.”
93 Year-Old Mum Does Los Angeles. Again.
Why LA? It’s only a mere two and a half hour flight away. Since I wrote about our first trip there together (two trips ago), Mum’s doctor has mercifully caved on the “stay close to home” position. She now concedes that Francine needs to get the hell out of Dodge every now and then or she’ll go positively squirrelly may travel within 3 hours of home.
Add to that the fact that my fashion designer niece and her screenwriter husband live there and you have the perfect destination.
So what does one get up to while vacationing with a 93 year-old?
Well, with Francine there’s got to be “shaw-pin.'” In fact, I believe that my dear mother stays young at heart with the help of shopping. The act infuses her with energy and you’re hard pressed to keep up with her once that wheelie hits the tiled floor of a shop. Poof! She sheds ten years. No, twenty. Her eyes sparkle, her posture straightens and she’s off in search of the perfect “must-have.”
In addition to the much written about colourful pants, she adores shoes. Have a gander at her shoe wardrobe …
And what gems did she unearth this time around?
There’s also got to be a little culture.
My Lovely Niece determines the perfect outing would be a trip to the Getty Museum. Add in the fact that we have the Golden Ticket (Mum’s wheelie) and we’re whisked to the front of the line. No half hour tram wait for us!
An art historian, artist, and former Fine Arts prof, Mum is the perfect person with whom to tour an art gallery. Our own personal docent, she bubbles over with enthusiasm and knowledge. In this photo, Lovely Niece is treated to the highlights of Edgar Degas’ “Russian Dancers.” Done in pastel on tracing paper, Mum considers it to be the masterpiece of the series.
Another Francine must is a visit to the beach.
Bless her. Unable to swim (something she excelled at) due to the soreness of her shoulders (an injury sustained whilst pulling herself up a swinging rope ladder onto a Russian ice-breaker a few years back) Francine happily passes the time sitting on her embedded-into-the-sand wheelie. Her enthusiasm is infectious.
“How marvellous. Smell the salt air, look at those cartwheeling birds, and all the different shades of blue. Oh, I wish I had my watercolours with me.”
We take a zillion pictures for her to consider for her next canvas when she gets home.
In short, this 93 year-old marvel is up for pretty much anything, within reason. While she gets frustrated over no longer being able to do something, she doesn’t ruminate over it. She knows her limits and abhors people hovering about and offering smothering administrations. The key is to let her ask for help. Something that’s not easy when she sways or hesitates. But I’m learning.
While she forgoes the dawn hike of the Hollywood Hills …
she’s more than up for pretty much everything else, be they meals out, shopping, touring, driving, galleries, movies, theatre … anything new. Case in point: Having had to forego alcohol for health reasons, she orders up her first virgin Think Pink so that she’ll “feel more with it.” Of course, we Instagrammed that puppy.
Enough. I’d better end here. Knowing her, once she reads this, she’ll call and holler at me to “get on with the damn book, Kel. I won’t be here forever and I want to read your first draft.”
I hear ya, Mum. I hear ya.
Enough about the wonder that my 93 year-old mum does Los Angeles. Again. I’m curious about you. Does travel recharge your soul? Have you someone as spirited as Francine in your life? Better yet, are you up for a strenuous dawn hike in the sweltering Hollywood Hills after an afternoon of Think Pinks? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
And yes! I’m on Instagram. Come on over and hang out. We can even share a Think Pink or six.
30 Responses
A marvellous recap of another wonderful and spirited adventure. Loved every minute!
Aw – thank you! Wish we could press the rewind button and do it all again. Want me to teach you about squid?
I’d love to join you in a toast with one of those delicious-looking Think Pinks. Francine is quite an inspiration – and quite the fashionista. Love her new striped shoes, but I have to admit I have my eyes on those polka dot ones. Sounds like a fabulous time was had – exactly the kind of recharging a little vacation jaunt should provide.
Wish you could join us in a toast, Deborah! Man, they were delicious. And yes, Francine is quite the fashionista. I should do a post about the time she bought and then sold (due to family pressure) that fur dress… Thank you for popping in and reading. I do appreciate it.
Oh yeah – we definitely need to hear that story!
It’s a beaut, Deborah. A beaut.
You have captured the delight and inspiration of our 93 year old Mom and Lovely Niece perfectly! Cheers to the next afternoon of Think Pinks! And the new new sneakers… Love them!
Thanks so very much, Wend. It was such a special and fun time and I wish I could press the rewind button and do it all again. Here’s to Think Pinks!
Your Mom thouroughly enjoys life , something we could all use a healthy dose of. She woulld be my sisters hero with her shoe passion(obsession). However, Kelly she is correct, get on your bike and lets get her book published. Along with her I simply cannot wait!!
Thank you so very much, Janice. Yes, that is so true – Mom does thoroughly enjoy life. And thank you, I’m getting on my bike now and peddling as fast as I can …
Francine is a wonder! And I think of her every day as I look at our mantle?. Work hard on your book Kel, we’re all waiting…
Nevermind Think Pink. Mom will be tickled pink that you think of her every day. Love that you got that painting. It’s perfect for you and the mantle! Thanks for the nudge, too. Have a wonderful weekend, Mare.
Loved the latest Frankie adventure, she is truly a force of nature. Really love the striped shoes ! I admire your dawn hike in the hills, well done ! I also can’t wait to read your book !
Oh those shoes! She bought a pair for herself and for Lovely Niece and was SO wanting to get me one as well. Darn bunion made me say no. And then I had a rethink. Went back that night and nabbed a pair. So – the photo is actually of mine! You’ll get to see them in person! Hopefully soon. Have a lovely time in B, Jane and we’ll see you when you get back.
We can all only hope to be as spirited as Francine if we reach her age. It must be so frustrating for her to feel 30+ years younger but have some limitations – especially those caused by pesky things like the rope ladder on a Russian ice-breaker. Cheers to Francine!
Thanks, Mo. She does get frustrated at times, but it’s so rare, that I get frustrated with her out of sheer surprise. “What? Why are you acting this way, Mum?” Whoopsies. Must learn to be more patient. Happily she forgives me!
Fabulous account of your/her trip. I hope I have her stamina when my time comes…only problem no daughters…my sons are great, but thinking they may not want to wheel me around later in life. I better get a lot done now.
Thanks, Beemie. It was a very fun trip. Grinning over your comment that your sons might not care to wheel you around later in life. Perhaps you could start training the potential daughter-in-laws?
Your love for your mom is so endearing! She sounds like a wonderful woman. That is great that she is so vibrant! What a great model for all of us!
Thanks, Amy. She is really modest though and truly doesn’t understand why I write so much about her.
How FUN!!! So much seen and done on the trip and I LOVE the bright colors of her shoes. AWESOME!! Was she wearing BRIGHT PINK shoes when ordering her first Think Pink? 😉
Hmmmmm. I don’t think she was wearing her PINK shoes, Elda. Great point. Well, we’ll just have to go back for a redo.
Francine is hipper than I am. I am behind the curve on whatever a Think Pink is! I’ll ask my 13yo.
Love the pics and the trip details. I’m just back from a vacation to Oregon and Washington and feel that travel recharges the soul, for sure.
I followed your trip on Instagram, Katy. Looks like you had a marvellous time. Come NORTH next time! Love to see you. We’ll have a Think Pink or six …
What a fun read about what was surely a fun adventure. Love the shoes! She is definitely inspirational!!!
Thanks, Vickie. It was a really fun trip and she’s already planning another!
What fun she must be to travel with! We were hoping to head for California in September but had to put it off this year so I’m jealous!
Oh darn, Rena. I am sorry. Sending you a jumbo hug.
A grand recap of another great and vivacious experience. Adored each minute!I’d adoration to go along with you in a toast with one of those tasty looking Think Pinks. Francine is a significant motivation – and a remarkable fashionista. Cherish her new striped shoes, however I need to concede I have my eyes on those spotted ones. Sounds like a remarkable time was had – precisely the sort of reviving a little get-away side trip ought to give.
How very true! Thank you. And yes, in “real life” the spotted shoes are far and away the best. And may I say, the Think Pinks are delicious.