
Over 50 and still ready to dance the night away #positiveageing #over50 #Australia @boneAndsilver
Remember that blogging expert I had a meeting with a while back? Gave me all those tips and hints HERE? She also suggested I use lots of hashtags around ‘self care’ and ‘positive ageing’, as I’m over 50, and that is apparently the current trend I need to ride.
I can do that. I’m definitely a health-orientated person, becoming a vegetarian at 21, and jumping on and off that wagon over the years. As most of you know, I dance, do Pilates, walk, don’t really drink, and love a good night’s sleep more than anything.
(Side note: Years ago, in a flash of inspiration, I asked my then-six year old son to describe me in a few words, as I was planning to use them for my first online dating profile on OkCupid… “Health food Drama Queen”Β didn’t sound as good as I hoped though).
Anyway, I’ve relaxed a bit in my old age, and after the stressful challenge of learning all those lines for our show a fortnight ago HERE, but having nailed it HERE, I decided to let my hair down at a local outdoor dance party last weekend… which is very sensibly aimed at the over 40s now, so goes from 2pm-9pm on a Sunday.
I wore my favourite jumpsuit, and flat shoes for dancing.
I prepared myself with carbs for lunch, then a big nana nap.
I arrived as the sting left the sun, about 5pm, and bumped into friendly faces straight away; before I knew it, I was dancing gloriously to irresistible tunes.
Which just kept coming and coming!
I had several dance buddies, most of us over 50, and somehow ended up bopping around on a long wooden table, concreted into the ground. I was there for a while, then decided I should share the glory, so hopped down onto the equally-long-but-not-quite-as-wide-bench beside it.
My mistake. I should have stayed on the table. I slipped off the bench, executing a fancy triple turn Γ la Michael Jackson [in my fevered mind], and corked my thigh on the edge of the afore-mentioned incredibly solid table.

Close up of thigh bruise from dancing on a table in Australia at an outdoor party #selfcare #over50 #positiveageing #fail @boneAndsilver
What could I do? The show must go on. So I got back on the bench and kept dancing…
Then watched this unfold as the week went on.
I gotta admit: I was kind of proud of myself though. I documented it for various unbelieving friends interstate, and ’17’, who begrudgingly admired it. Did you know there’s actually a hashtag on Instagram called #felloffatable? You’ll now see my pics there.
I kept thinking I would stop, but it became the highlight of my morning (life in a small country town in Australia hey?).
Finally, I just couldn’t resist sharing it with you all too. You’re welcome, and it was SO worth it; I danced non-stop till the final track, going home a very happy, tired party girl.

Close up of thigh bruise Day 3-7 from dancing on a table in Australia at an outdoor party #selfcare #over50 #positiveageing #fail @boneAndsilver
What about you? How have you injured yourself in the name of having a good time? Do tell!
In gratitude for super fun ‘self care’ fails, G xOΒ
I’ve got a new hashtag for you! #greatlegs !
I love your blog most when you share authentically all the love and challenge and joy and struggle and triumph and enjoyment and zest of your life! It’s that authenticity I relish and return for! #TrueSelf π
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Lol, gee, thanks Cathy! I really appreciate your enthusiasm and engagement, thank you so much for commenting xO G
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Love this!
I once danced so hard at a party that I damaged my knees like crazy and was in agony for about 3 months.
It was worth it….
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Oh no, you must have been going hard girl! 3 months is a big price to pay; you must have had a GREAT time, that’s awesome to hear. Thanks for sharing : )
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Also – I love the health, food, drama queen bit.
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That is 100% truly what he said- I ended up using it anyway, somewhat humorously ; )
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You don’t want to know. Trust me.
I wonder how my son’s gonna describe me in a few years. I think I’ll get pretty much the same answer. Kids are SO perceptive.
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Oh I do, I do…
Yup, our kids are pretty onto it, I love this new generation : )
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Sadist!
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Ow!!
I spent a high school summer working at a periodical warehouse in Philadelphia. This was in the days before nearly everything was available on the Internet; if you wanted, say, a February 1976 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, you either needed to go to a particular library–or purchase a copy from the likes of G. H. Arrow Periodical Warehouse.
Most of the periodicals I helped to catalog (literally using 5×8 index cards) and shelve were fairly banal.
But then there were the medical journals.
And the most notorious (by which I mean *disgusting*) was Cutis, a journal devoted to skin diseases.
Your bruise looks painful (and could lead to an enlightening discussion about the relationship between “means” and “ends”), but compared to some of the nauseating technicolor photographs on the Cutis covers, it is a Matisse painting. π
Two quick stories:
1. August 1974. Atlantic City, NJ. My father and I are spending an afternoon riding on his friend’s speedboat. A larger boat zips by, traveling way too fast for a narrow inlet. The wake rocks the speedboat my father and I are enjoying. I lose my balance, and my face whacks against the side of the boat. Something sharp JUST misses piercing my right eye. 16 stitches later…
2. April 1990. Island Pond, VT. My then-girlfriend and I are playing “baseball.” I throw her a pitch. She hits a line drive into the the lower part of my face. I lose no teeth, fortunately, but I could not throw a strike for months (years?) after that.
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OMG, both those injuries sound terrible! My bruise pales by comparison. I love your stories Matt, thanks for dropping by and sharing a part of yourself (& your Dad, and your dodgy warehouse job) G : )
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Thank you. Just the encouragement I need to get back to writing my book. π
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Thats a great badge of Fun!!
Maybe not injured myself, but have gotten some pretty epic holes in the knees of my jeans from jumping and landing less than gracefully. π
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Go Alexis! I love hearing these naughty tales from my readers, and I am totally going to claim ‘Badge of Fun’ as my new favourite phrase, thank you : ) xO G
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πβ€οΈ
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Aww you look so cute in your jumpsuit! Slay!!
But dang that bruise!! π¨π¨ I hope it heals quickly!! I found 2 new ones over the weekend from work. Both I know what I did to make them…rarely do I know where they come from hehe
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How cool is the jumpsuit T?? I gotta agree with ya! $5 from an op shop, original 1970s, fits me perfectly : )
The bruise looks pretty bad still I must admit; lots of pink and red in it now, and still hurts to lie on my side on it. But as another reader commented: “what a badge of fun”. xOO G
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Omg such a great jumpsuit!
And dang to the bruise!!! *positive vibes to make it go away*
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Omg. Hope you feel better!! And yes. I injure myself all the time cause Iβm a big old klutz
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Thanks WakingUp- really, on the scale of injuries, it’s pretty small, I think I’m just enjoying the brag for being such a party animal! ; )
And it’s true you know- some people are more ‘spatially challenged’ than others, but of course make up for it in other awesome areas xO
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Damn!! That is some bruise!!
But you earnt it And those are the best
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Yes, I thought you’d say that Jad ; ) x
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#author #atwood loves your post today!
#selfcare #over50 #positiveageing #fail @boneAndsilver, I can relate.
(When someone hollers, “Break a leg,” you needn’t do so, really.)
I remember dancing through the night. Wow. (Now I do it with arthritis therapy in a pool).
Getting up there: I turn 69 next month. Used my body hard.
…Ah, but life as an artist and a dancer and a pioneer and an author and a scat singer; a bonafide aesthetic expressionist and vessel from the unknown… Well, it has been fun.
Now that I work all day on a fainting couch with a computer and a cat on my lap, I think one could say that I have officially become a couch potato. Apparently I am two inches shorter, and the body is creaking. #selfcare #over50 #positiveageing #wisdom
I think I’d better get moving again. #atwood
Again, I loved your post today.
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Hey thanks Atwood- I didn’t know you were such a wild party person : )
Go YOU! I love knowing I’ve got older role models to follow… and can inspire the young ones too ; ) Thanks for the positive feedback : )
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As Mr Vader was wont to say, “Impressive!” π
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Yeah, must admit I’m kinda proud of myself- Life in the old girl yet hey? ; )
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Ouch! Sounds like a lot of fun though. I hope I will be like you in a few years!
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Thanks Julie; I hope you are too… and then you can inspire the young women coming up behind you : )
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Letβs hope so!
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Ouch! That looks painful, but sounds like it was worth it. π
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Exactly- still hurts a bit, but just reminds me of the fun ; )
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I love bruises. They are so pretty and show-offy. My story: broke my wrist when learning to rollerblade at 55. I learn that “being hurled” is a more accurate term than “falling” when you’re on wheels. Better than breaking it in the shower, I reckon. All good now.
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Now that’s a great story, thanks Rachel! You know, rollerblading must be very dangerous: you’re the 3rd person I now heard of breaking their wrist as they were learning; an old friend of mine wore his hire blades out of the shop, fell over, & snapped his wrist immediately πβ‘οΈ
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I had two exhilarating weeks!
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I think it is common. A friend told me in advance, Donβt do it! Balancing + speed = danger. I also cracked a bone doing rock n roll in my youth. Honourable battle scars all!
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I fractured a toe once performing βparty yogaβ (showing off yoga poses on the dance floor). Not advisable since it took 6 weeks before I was back on the dance floor. Never again will I attempt a half moon under the mirror ball. Iβm sure it only looked impressive for about 3seconds! X
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Haha, that’s a bit funny, thank you for sharing π
I used to sometimes do circus acro at parties with a good base partner; luckily I never came to mishap, but yes, a slippery dance floor is not the place to do that kind of stuff. Nor a table really… but it WAS fun. Thank you for your comment, G π
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Damn… When I slipped on the stairs it looked very similar… Sooo hurtful…
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Yes, it’s still a bit stiff and sore I must admit… thanks for commenting Sue π
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Ouch but it sounds like you had a lot of fun! Good! Delighted for you π
I did once dislocate my jaw whilst yawning after a lot of drinks at a party. Then the hospital had to inject me with muscle relaxants to get it back in. Alcohol and muscle relaxants make an interesting combination. Jellyfish come to mind.
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Oh that’s a slightly hilarious image, thanks for admitting to that Arty- who knew it was so easy to dislocate your jaw?? ; D
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I have written a blog guest post for Mainepaperpusher telling the story in more humorous detail but it will not be published for a couple of months yet! π
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Oh good, I’ll look forward to it : )
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Oh my goodness, you wore the battle marks proudly and I’m glad you are ok. You know in the end it will be a memory you will never forget and it takes those crazy kind of moments and the wild choices we make to stand out in our journey. Glad you had an awesome time. Hugs
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ππ»πͺπΌπ
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Ouch! What an interesting shape though π
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I know right? Looks just like the silhouette of my cat π¬
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Originally I thought a witchy crescent moon!
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Ooh, that sounds good π
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Ooo that’s a corker! I wish we had dance parties like that here, sounds brilliant! My most recent injuries include a pinched nerve in my bottom from joining a rowing team in the summer and now lately tennis elbow from using my new over-sized smart phone. I need to work out more.
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Lol! Those big smartphones hey? π
Sorry to laugh; tennis elbow does suck- have you tried acupuncture?
And yes, outdoor dance parties as the sun sets are THE BEST ππ»β€πΊπ»
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It’s a lot better now thanks π just had to build up resilience! And not use it so much too. I was terribly excited when I first got it, the camera is fab and I love all the apps, I’m a bit of a social media junkie now and I used to be scornful of ‘those people’. I blame the blogging π
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I know exactly what you mean!! Blogging hey: kinda dangerous for your health π¬πππ
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After a few too many vinos I thought I could do the lift from Dirty Dancing and unfortunately also thought my dance partner was exactly like Patrick Swayze…ended up getting a CT scan of my head. I look back now and laugh but at the time it did not tickle. Glad you’re healing and nice work! X
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Lol, sorry, that did make me laugh out loud- such an iconic image- good on you for giving it a go, but it’s waaaaaaaaay harder than it looks hey? Thanks for reading & commenting, G : )
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Don’t know if this counts as it’s a childhood story, but I would totally make the same decision now at my age. Because it’s all about priorities. Insisted on wearing a long dress one hot Sunday that I’d worn to a school disco the day before (this was the 70s π ). Went out to the ice-cream van. Ran back carrying my ice-cream, tripped over my long dress, determined to hang onto my cone, wouldn’t put my hands out to stop myself falling and ended up with stitches in my knee. But I saved that ice-cream!
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Haha, that’s hilarious, and I can so picture it!! I love those 70s dresses… thanks for sharing that stubborn choice : )
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