In my critique group the other night, we were joking about how, after years of critiquing other writers' work, it has become almost impossible to read anything without also editing it as we go. Like my friend who brought up this idea, I find it almost impossible to read (especially non-fiction) without a pen in my hand. Mostly, I want to comment and make connections, but there are definitely times I want to improve upon the grammar and clarity.
On the other hand, I also stumble across things I wish I'd written. These are usually magazine articles (although books occasionally qualify) that feature something I can identify with or a format so deliciously simple that any other way of relaying the information just seems wrong.
Today, I was reading a back issue of Philadelphia Magazine when I tucked into this piece by Sandy Hingston about the benefits of the invisibility that comes with aging. Though I have not (yet) given up shaving my legs, I do find myself caring a whole lot less about what other people (in general) think of my appearance. Her article made me laugh, nod, and even cringe a little bit in places, almost always in agreement with the ideas she put on the page. I do wish I could brush off some instances of ageism as easily as she seems able to. Perhaps someday I will.
If you're around my age and/or also enjoy Melani Sanders' hilarious We Do Not Care Club social media posts (if you haven't checked them out, you really should), I'm guessing you'll enjoy Hingson's article as much as I did.
As for those of you closer to my daughter's age? You can shake your heads now, but time is on our side.
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