When I look at my hands, I think of my father. I remember seeing his calloused hands covered with what he would call "liver spots." As a child, I wondered if he got those spots from eating liver and onions, one of his favorite dishes.
Sunspots are considered benign, but always check with a board-certified dermatologist to confirm whether what you are seeing is really a benign sunspot.I avoided that dish, thinking it would save me from the dots that covered his hands, wrists and fingers. But the older I got, the more and more of those brown spots appeared on my hands. It was the sun, not the liver, that was the culprit.
"They tend to appear in older people because of the chronic exposure to U.V. radiation over time."
On Sunspots and Older Adults
"Sunspots are the very common tan to brown to black spots that show up on sun-exposed areas, like the face, neck, chest, shoulders and back of hands, says Robert Anolik, M.D. of Laser & Skin Surgery Center based in New York.  
"They are due to ultraviolet exposure and are found in almost all Caucasian people by the time they are 60 years old. They tend to appear in older people because of the chronic exposure to U.V. radiation over time," Anolik adds. 
Although sunlight helps us produce vitamin D, it can cause skin damage. Ultraviolet light comes from sunlight or tanning beds and can damage DNA or cause other damage, such as skin wrinkling or spotting. And U.V. light can continue to damage the skin after you have left the tanning bed or a sunny location.
Anyone can develop sunspots, but they are ubiquitous in light-skinned people. Some risk factors that increase the possibility of developing sunspots are:
Frequent sunbathing or having sunburnsHaving light skinUsing tanning bedsGoing through radiation therapyGenetic predisposition to sunspotsSunspots are different than moles or other discolorations of the skin. 
"Sunspots almost always appear as multiple spots broadly covering sun-exposed areas and vary in size from a few millimeters to a couple centimeters. Moles tend to be more discrete and can appear anywhere on the body," says Anolik. 
They are considered benign, but Anolik stresses that you should always check with a health professional. "Checking in with a board-certified dermatologist can confirm whether what you are seeing is really a benign sunspot."
If I Have Sunspots, What Should I Do About Them?
Anolik says that confirmed sunspots do not require treatment, but cosmetic procedures are available to reduce their appearance. "By far, the best way to eliminate them is having a dermatologist laser them. Topical creams do exist, but generally, they'll only slightly fade spots as opposed to eliminating them," he explains. 
The ideal laser varies depending on the location of the sunspot, the patient's skin tone and other factors. The dermatologist will select the laser that is best for the patient. Regardless of the number of treated sunspots, plan to have time to heal from the treatment. 
"Almost all treatment approaches involve some degree of healing, and that healing time depends on the body site. For example, when sunspots are lasered on the face, there is often a scab that heals over a 5 to 7 day window," says Anolik. "On the chest, it can be more like 2 weeks. On the hands, the healing could occur over a period of a month."
 The most effective way to prevent sunspots is by limiting the damage that is caused by sun exposure.
New concepts for laser removal of sunspots are constantly being created. "Some of the newer lasers deliver the pulse of energy in a picosecond (which is extremely fast), which can be helpful for finer pigment particles found in some spots. There are also concepts related to cold temperature to eradicate the pigmentation."
Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) delivers multiple wavelengths of energy, whereas laser therapy uses a single wave. As a result, IPL is typically used to treat larger areas of skin. 
As with laser therapy, it is essential to consult a dermatologist before any form of treatment for sunspots or other skin discolorations.
Tips For Managing Sunspots
There are some ways to reduce the possibility of sunspots appearing on your skin in later years. However, Anolik says the most effective way to prevent sunspots is by limiting the damage that is caused by sun exposure:
Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater in all sun-exposed areas.Avoid the sun during peak hours (10 am-2 pm) and seek shade when possible.Avoid tanning beds.Wear sun-protective clothing, which has become more comfortable and fashionable over the past several years.Check with a dermatologist at the earliest signs of discoloration. The dermatologist can examine your skin and confirm that all is benign."If I see the earliest signs of sunspots, sometimes I recommend some skin brightening products that contain key ingredients such as retinols, tranexamic acid and glycolic acid," says Anolik. 
"Ultimately if those don't work and the spots become more visible, that's when it's necessary to reach for the lasers."


Here Come the Sunspots

Rosie Wolf Williams

This content is sponsored by Incyte Corporation. During the third week of February, the cholangiocarcinoma community rallies together for World Cholangiocarcinoma Week to raise awareness of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) around the globe. 
CCA is a rare and often overlooked cancer that forms in bile ducts, which are tubes that connect the gallbladder and liver to the small intestine.(i) These ducts carry bile, a fluid made in the liver that helps with digestion. 
Only about 8,000 people are diagnosed with CCA in the U.S. each year, although there may be more cases that go undiagnosed. Because of its non-specific symptoms – which may include abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss – CCA is difficult to diagnose and often happens at an advanced stage, when the prognosis is poor.(iii,iv)
Partnering with a healthcare team to determine individualized management plan 
It's important for those with CCA to have proactive conversations with their healthcare team about an individualized management approach and the best care plan based on their goals and needs.   
Jackie, a physician assistant in Houston, works alongside CCA patients and caregivers to ensure they have the latest resources and information available to help them understand their options and make informed decisions.   
"Cholangiocarcinoma is a very difficult diagnosis, but as a care team member, we are here every step of the way to help navigate treatment decisions and shape your journey," said Jackie.
Biomarker (short for "biological marker") testing allows healthcare providers to examine tissue from a patient's body to determine specific cancer biological molecules and further assess the exact type of cancer a patient has – which can open the door to more individualized disease management plans.(v)
"Early biomarker testing is a major advancement in helping to individualize cancer treatment. Each patient is different, so I advocate for all patients to get biomarker testing as soon as possible, so they know what their options are," stated Jackie.    
In addition to advocating for an individualized management approach, patients and caregivers should also find a healthcare team they feel comfortable with.  
"Every person has distinct goals for their health and cancer journey, making it critical to have proactive conversations with their care team from the start and throughout the entire process," added Jackie. "Having a close relationship with your care team is essential, as it gives you more confidence in their recommendations and allows you to better advocate for yourself." 
"I always encourage patients and caregivers to be proactive and speak up for themselves. For example, when you come across new research or treatment options, don't be afraid to share with your team." 
Embracing the CCA community as a resource  
When confronted with a health challenge, lack of information, or the need for additional support, the CCA patient community can be a valuable resource. Advocacy groups like the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (the CCF) leverage experiences and knowledge from the broader CCA community that can help patients and caregivers as they navigate their diagnosis.  
In 2009, Melinda Bachini, director of patient services at the CCF, was diagnosed with stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma after experiencing a series of symptoms that she attributed to her grueling job as a paramedic and suspected it could be gallstones.  
After a series of failed treatments, Melinda eventually came across an experimental clinical trial that was evaluating a new therapy for individuals with cancer that had spread throughout their body. It was this trial that kickstarted Melinda's recovery and saved her life. With this second chance, Melinda wanted to do more for the cancer community that had given her so much in her time of need.  
"A strong support system is essential to managing your diagnosis. It's important to realize that you're not alone in this journey and to utilize the cholangiocarcinoma community as a resource," said Melinda. "At the CCF, we realize how critical that sense of community is, so we support a variety of online support groups that allow patients and caregivers the ability to share personal experiences, resources and other tools to help manage this condition."  
In Jackie's profession, she recognizes the significance of being a positive resource for her patients. 
"While being diagnosed with CCA can be extremely overwhelming, it's important to encourage patients to stay positive and to remember that others are going through similar experiences," said Jackie. "The CCA community is incredibly tight-knit and inspiring, from the patients and caregivers to the advocates and researchers. Connecting with the community through support groups and social media can not only provide comfort, but also offer new learnings, and even friendships."  
While everyone's journey with CCA may be different, Melinda often reflects on how her cancer journey has impacted her outlook on life.  
"Every day is a gift, that's why when I was given a second chance, I decided to use my knowledge to support the cholangiocarcinoma community," said Melinda. "Through my team at CCF, we're able to advocate on behalf of patients as well as support research for potentially curative therapies that could help the thousands of individuals living with this disease. My hope is that the work we continue to progress at the CCF helps other patients, like myself, live long and fulfilling lives." 
For additional information and resources on CCA, visit TestMyCholangio.com and cholangiocarcinoma.org. 
The content presented in this article is not medical advice and should not replace a conversation with your Healthcare Professional, who is the best source of medical information about your individual diagnosis and management plan.  
### 
© 2023, Incyte. MAT-ONC-00196  02/23 
(i) "Cholangiocarcinoma: Definition." National Institutes of Health. https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/cholangiocarcinoma#definition. Accessed 1/12/23.
(ii) "Key Statistics for Bile Duct Cancer." American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bile-duct-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. Accessed 1/12/23.
(iii) Uhlig J, et al. Ann Surg Oncol. 2019;26:1993–2000.
(iv) Banales JM, et al. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016; 13:261-280.
(v) "How are biomarkers used to treat cancer?" The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/how-are-biomarkers-used-in-cancer-treatment.h00-159460056.html. Updated April 5, 2021. Accessed 1/13/23.


Finding Support and Information After a Rare Cancer Diagnosis

Never did I imagine how this journey would go. I am 81. My podcast partner, Catherine Marienau, is 74. Four short years ago, we created an award-winning weekly podcast, "Women Over 70 — Aging Reimagined."
Gail Zelitzky, left, and Catherine Marienau, receiving a 2022 award for 'Women Over 70.'Our mission is to shatter the myth that women become irrelevant as they age. Our goal is to offer women over 70 a platform to tell their varied stories, share their lived experiences and be heard. We are the active voice of women aging. We envision a world where women of all ages, backgrounds and experiences support each other. This work is creating a community for women to openly discuss issues and to understand and explore their own aging.
By telling our stories, we will be heard. And we will make a difference for future generations.
How the Idea Came to Be
Catherine was my faculty mentor at the School for New Learning at DePaul University in 2010. I was 69 and decided to pursue a master's degree after my husband died the previous year. Five years later I graduated, and Catherine and I began to meet regularly. Our conversations inevitably turned to women's issues, especially women's experience of the aging process and this led to our ongoing friendship and podcast partnership. 
We envision a world where women of all ages, backgrounds and experiences support each other. 
When I first approached Catherine with the idea of interviewing 70 women over 70, Catherine's eyes lit up and she said, "I'm in!" Four years and 220 episodes later, Women Over 70 is going strong.
Launching the Podcast 
Podcasts are hot. There are between 3 and 4 million podcasts worldwide. The United States has the largest number. Neither Catherine nor I had any idea how to start a podcast so we signed up for a 3-day immersion course, "Launch Your Podcast." One month later, we began interviewing women over 70. 
Finding guests was the easy part. Initially, we tapped into our vast, diverse networks. As the show became popular, guests made referrals and now media outlets invite us to feature their clients. We seek to be a racially, ethnically and geographically diverse community and welcome readers to nominate themselves. 
Where Are We Now? 
We are just getting started. Passionate about presenting monthly programs and excited about the many speaking opportunities coming our way, we are swimming in possibilities. We're open to collaboration and synergistic thinking. Women Over 70 has been a labor of love. 
The women we interview bring inspiration and hope to our listeners.
Inspiring Women We've Interviewed
The women we interview bring inspiration and hope to our listeners. The hope comes from stories told in their own voices that capture struggles, loss, love, friendship, parenthood, careers, volunteerism, activism and more. The inspiration comes from their resilience, reinvention, purpose-driven activities, life-long learning, courage, contributions and creativity. We've had the pleasure of holding conversations with world-renowned artists to transportation activists and with women simply loving the time to play.
About a year into the podcast, we realized that women of all ages have expertise in areas our community cares about. We created a YouTube channel that brings light to important subjects such as Friendship, Creative Housing Options, Lesbian Women, Breast Cancer and Healthy Nutrition. 
Our women over 70 guests include:
expressive artists, social activists, spiritual and wellness experts;women in social services, women who creatively pivot their careers; women who reinvent themselves, often multiple times;women who travel extensively, become photographers, writers and authors;Holocaust survivors;women who believe that gratitude and purpose are the main reasons they thrive.Above all, these women do not consider themselves retired. They prefer the term 're-wired."
Meet a Few of Our Guests 
Helen Shiller is a recent example of a woman taking action. Helen, 75, was a six-term alderperson in Chicago's poor and oppressed communities where she advocated for radical changes to police misconduct, poverty and racism. Starting in the early 1970s, Helen's activism took a page from the Black Panther Party's 10 Point Program. Fifty years later she published "Daring to Struggle, Daring to Win: Five Decades of Resistance in Chicago's Uptown Community — with the Party's 10 Point Guide to Action." (Episode 213)
The Juneteenth holiday, which is celebrated on June 19, recognizes emancipation and black liberation and is a direct result of Opal's, and now her granddaughter's continuing activism.
Marion Giles was 103 when we interviewed her. Known by everyone at the continuing care residence where she lives for her lively attitude and social awareness, she loves to organize events. She threw herself a party on her 100th birthday and invited friends, family and a few of her favorite animals from Brookfield Zoo to celebrate with her. She says, "If you want to do something, even by yourself, do it and enjoy it." (Episode 58)
Sara Paretsky, 75, is a lifelong reader of crime fiction. She developed her social conscience early on, realizing that women were so often represented in negative ways, and so often invisible. Years later she began to write crime stories herself and turned the tables on how women are depicted through her well-known mystery series of books featuring V.I. Warshawski, a tough, intelligent private detective from Chicago. Among her readership are women who insist on their right to speech and to take up space in a room. From Sara's first book, "Indemnity Only," to her most recent novel, "Overboard," the character of V.I. Warshawski has relentlessly fought for social justice. (Episode 216)
Opal Lee is 96. She and her granddaughter, Dione Smith, 54, are relentless in their fight for freedom. Opal's activism started as a home school counselor in South Fort Worth, Texas. She believed that "access to information and resources is what helps us do better" and fought for all children to be educated and fed. The Juneteenth holiday, which is celebrated on June 19, recognizes emancipation and Black liberation and is a direct result of Opal's, and now her granddaughter's, continuing activism. (Episode 210)
Nancy Manahan is 75. After living in a convent for 10 years, she left to pursue her passion for feminist activism. Nancy taught Women's Literature at Napa Valley College and has been married to Becky Bohan for 27 years. She has published 6 books, including "Lesbian Nuns: Breaking Silence." She and Becky co-founded the Minnesota Threshold Network which advocates for family-directed after death care, including home vigils and green burial choices. Recently, they created their own philanthropic foundation to work on behalf of lesbians to provide the types of services they would provide themselves, if they were physically able. (Episode 118).
These are just a few of our amazing guests. Each one's voice is an important reflection on women aging. Listen to our episodes at womenover70.com or wherever you listen to podcasts. Join our Aging Reimagined Circle and participate in Deep Talk Forums and Candid Conversations. 
The idea of interviewing 70 women over 70 morphed into "Women Over 70 — Aging Reimagined," first a podcast, but more importantly as a community. For many of us, life is beginning in new and exciting ways. Some call it "The Third Act." We call it "Living."


Women Over 70 Speak Out and Are Heard

Gail Zelitzky

It's early morning when the first patient enters the parking lot. Our team is there, wearing rainbow-striped vests emblazoned with the phrase CLINIC ESCORT. I gently approach the patient and her mom and introduce myself as a clinic volunteer.
It's impossible to ignore the nearby shouts of "Young mom, don't kill your baby today!" and worse. As we walk toward the clinic, I drown out the protestors' voices with idle chatter, then open a huge pink umbrella, carrying it sideways like a shield to block the family from view.
A clinic escort in Texas walks a patient into the building, October 2021The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade more than a year ago in the landmark case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. That decision prompted me to become a clinic escort. I had to protect the right I once needed.
I gently approach the patient and her mom and introduce myself as a clinic volunteer.
My abortion happened in 1995, in the same Southern city where I escort now. My husband worked as a musician, I made a living as a writer, and we were the overjoyed and exhausted parents of a 9-month-old baby girl. We could not afford to give our daughter a sibling for years to come.
Breastfeeding exclusively, we know, acts as an effective form of birth control. But we didn't realize the protection lasts just the first six months after birth. After that, pregnancy is possible even if the mom is still breastfeeding.
I'll never forget the night I ricocheted back and forth between our kitchen's cantaloupe-hued walls, praying, trying to breathe and waiting for the pregnancy test results while our daughter slept. When it came back positive, I crumpled to the floor. My husband and I agreed: Neither of us was able to care for a second child when we were still figuring out how to make things work with our first.
It didn't take much time to set up an appointment with a reproductive health clinic in the same medical office complex where I got my allergy shots. No protestors told me I was going to hell as I entered the facility for a surgical abortion. It was an emotional process, but in retrospect, far easier than what patients endure today.
Walking Alongside Patients
Clinic escorting dates back more than 40 years, according to Lauren Rankin, author of "Bodies on the Line: At the Front Lines of the Fight to Protect Abortion in America." The earliest reference Rankin found to clinic escorts was a Fort Wayne, Indiana clinic in 1978 when a group of feminist-minded residents banded together to help protect women and girls seeking care.
Neither of us was able to care for a second child when we were still figuring out how to make things work with our first.
"For the nearly 50 years Roe vs. Wade existed, the law only provided so much protection," Rankin told me. "It wasn't really the law that solved the problems for people seeking abortions. It was other people." Now I am one of them.
When I escort, patients range from late teens to their 30s and represent a variety of racial backgrounds. Few that I've seen look pregnant. Patients come alone or with boyfriends, partners, relatives, a friend. Some are frightened of the protestors. Some laugh them off.
Before I began escorting, I imagined what it would be like. I'd murmur encouraging words to patients about my abortion: "I made the right decision for me, and you'll make the best one for you." I'd wrap an arm around their shoulders, and we'd develop a relationship in a few dozen steps. My vision, it turns out, was ridiculous.
It's not easy to know what to say, but the weather, a comment about a pretty T-shirt, or "pay no attention to the noise" usually works. What doesn't: rage. One regular protestor, a minister who positions himself centimeters from clinic property, heckles the escorts to pass the time between patients. 
"What a bunch of ugly old women," he observed recently, his latest variation on a theme. I think but don't say all the snarky retorts filling my mind, trying my best to adhere to the clinic's strict non-engagement policy.
I volunteer with patients seeking an abortion because about 60% of them, at least in the U.S., are already mothers, just like I was. 
Despite his keen-eyed assessment, the escorts vary from a woman who nearly died from an illegal abortion in the 1960s to men in their 20s compelled to step up. Some protestors become familiar faces: The dad who brings his young sons. The woman who tells patients that she's a doctor. The guy who holds up a "pray to end abortion" sign and never says a word.
The scene has a strange performance vibe, as if a director calls "action!" when a patient arrives or leaves, and the cast promptly hurls their lines, including unfounded claims that abortions can be reversed. They primarily talk to each other in between, mixed with interludes of insulting the escorts.
I've never seen a patient turn back without entering the clinic or respond with some version of "You're right, I've changed my mind." Instead, they often thank us for walking alongside them on one of the most important days of their lives, a day, for some, when they take back their life.
Why I Volunteer
I volunteer with patients seeking an abortion because about 60% of them, at least in the U.S., are already mothers, just like I was. I do it because of The Turnaway Study from the University of California-San Francisco, which found that women who do not obtain a wanted abortion are more likely to subsequently face economic hardship, including insufficient money to pay for housing and food. 
But my faith, Reform Judaism, recognizes life begins at birth, and protecting the physical and mental health of the pregnant person is paramount. 
And I do it because 62% of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to the Pew Research Center. Attacks against reproductive health clinics have increased since Dobbs. Our regulars know what to say and do so that they won't be convicted of violating the 1994 FACE Act, which made it a federal crime to use force or threats against patients seeking reproductive health care. 
The police park nearby some days. I keep up my guard, but my clinic is one of the quieter ones. The protesters talk about God's will. To those who believe abortion is a sin, I respect their right not to have one. But my faith, Reform Judaism, recognizes life begins at birth, and protecting the physical and mental health of the pregnant person is paramount. 
The abortion bans enacted post-Roe threaten religious freedom and social justice. Recent history shows us what will happen if abortion becomes impossible to access. Wealthier people who need abortions may find a way. Others will not, and their lives may never recover.
Abortion bans don't harm just those seeking abortions. KFF, a health research nonprofit, recently surveyed 569 board-certified OB-GYN on their experiences in the last year; 68% reported that Dobbs has "worsened their ability to manage pregnancy-related emergencies" such as miscarriages.
Of those surveyed, 64% percent said the ruling has "worsened pregnancy-related mortality," while 70% found it exacerbated "racial and ethnic inequities in maternal health."
The right to reproductive self-determination, once settled law, has slipped away in some states, particularly in the South. Abortion is almost completely banned in Alabama and Tennessee. Georgia has banned the procedure at six weeks before many people realize they're pregnant.
North Carolina recently began requiring two in-person office visits 72 hours apart for abortion care. 
If patients travel there from out of state, they now have to take more time off work, pay for a hotel or sleep in a car if lodging is beyond their means.
No one should have to face those kinds of obstacles to obtain care. 
I wish I had not accidentally gotten pregnant nearly 30 years ago. Still, I have not for a moment regretted my abortion nor my decision to have a second child years later when my husband and I were emotionally and financially ready. I believe my adult children — all our adult children — deserve that kind of control over their own reproductive lives. We owe it to them to fight for that right.


I Became a Clinic Escort to Protect the Right I Once Needed

Andrea Tobias

Turning to leave the classroom on an overcast afternoon, one of my students said to me: "It's scary to think generations like yours and my parents who contributed to the climate crisis will be long gone when our generation is facing the worst of it."
Demonstrators march down Pennsylvania Avenue during a People's Climate March, 2017He wore a worried look but seemed to make the comment as an observation, without judgement.
We had just finished reading "The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet" by the youth activist Leah Thomas, who had Zoomed into my environmental education class at Warren Wilson College, a small liberal arts college in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina near Asheville.
I'd lived for more than two decades with my daughters in a 900-square-foot rental on the campus, where students work in jobs such as herding cattle or growing kale for the cafeteria.
Tap the Strength of Generations
So I was used to being part of the solution, not the problem. When I started teaching, I was closer in age to my students than their parents. But now, at 57, with gray hair and grown kids, I concluded that I needed to engage in the climate crisis in a way that tapped the strengths of multiple generations, which I could share with my classes.
I was used to being part of the solution, not the problem. When I started teaching, I was closer in age to my students than their parents.
This would also serve me as a mother of 23- and 17-year-old daughters who are growing up in a world where daffodils bloom in December and hurricanes and wildfires affect family members from Alabama to Washington State.
So I embarked on a one-year journey to tell the stories of how women of all ages across the country — one from each state — were confronting the climate emergency, especially given the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on girls and women.
My research culminated in the book "Love Your Mother: 50 States, 50 Stories, and 50 Women United for Climate Justice." And I sought organizations that could bring Gen Xers like me into a growing climate movement built by young people like the student who rightly wondered about my relevance.
Strong Young Leaders Emerge
In a recent Vogue cover story, youth activist Nalleli Cobo said: "It's not adults who stole our future. It's very specific interests." The striking Vogue cover showed the singer Billie Eilish surrounded by a diverse group of climate and Indigenous rights activists under 30, including Wanjiku "Wawa" Gatheru, whom I wrote about in my book.
"It's not adults who stole our future. It's very specific interests."
As founder of the organization Black Girl Environmentalist, Wawa is a scholar-activist using research and social media to advance equity and climate justice for Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities.
Here's what I learned from my research: older adults like me, who are dedicated to climate justice, can support the voices of younger people as we also push for systemic change to decrease our dependence on a fossil fuel industry invested in profits more than people or the planet.
For some adults, the Fridays for Future movement led by young people, including the 20-year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg and many others, brought climate into the headlines and our social media feeds.
"Fire Drill Fridays" protests led by 85-year-old Jane Fonda often bring young and old together for the same goal. Youth groups are tapping into a variety of strategies, from legal to political, which older adults can amplify with finances, logistical support and resources such as time and experience.
One of my former students, Kelsey Juliana, is the lead plaintiff in a federal lawsuit Juliana v. US, calling for a climate plan to protect the constitutional rights of youth to a healthy life. Other young people in Hawaii, Montana, Utah and Virginia, have filed suit at the state level making similar claims.
Assessing a Bleak Future
I interviewed Grace Gibson-Snyder, a fifth-generation Montanan and plaintiff in Held v. State of Montana. She told me that when she was 15, she began to realize she didn't want to have children in the future because of the increase in floods, droughts, wildfires and extreme heat in the West.
Get ready to see older adults cut up their credit cards in front of banks.
"Each plaintiff in the case is impacted differently," she said, "But none of us is old enough to vote. That's why this case exists in the first place."
Intergenerational collaboration could fight fossil fuel interests and imagine a healthy world for all. To this end, I spoke with Cassie Cain, youth engagement coordinator for both 350 Maine and Maine Climate Action. She built coalitions between these climate organizations and young adults through actions such as giving young people paid opportunities or board positions.
"So many young people go to school, play sports and then focus on climate organizing afterward," she told me. "And they are doing the adult work of advocating for a livable future."
Use the Power of Your Money
In her role, Cain began working with a middle-school student, Anna Siegel, who led a campaign with Sierra Club Maine to advocate for LD 99, legislation requiring the Maine Public Employee Retirement System to sell all of its fossil fuel investments. Cain said the bill was meant to "stop the money pipeline" to oil and gas companies. Governor Janet Mills signed the bill into law in 2021.
Older generations also can leverage their financial assets to achieve climate goals. Third Act, an advocacy group founded by the writer Bill McKibben, organizes people over 60 to engage in the climate movement, especially to make the connection between cash and the climate.
In a New York Times op-ed, McKibben and Third Act's lead adviser, Akaya Windwood, noted that 10,000 Americans turn 60 every day and will live an additional 23 years on average. That's a lot of years to use experience and resources for the good of all ages.
To that end, Third Act is planning a nationwide Day of Action March 21, 2023, to pressure large banks — Bank of America, Chase, Citibank and Wells Fargo — to move their investments out of companies in the fossil fuel industry.
Organizers have collected pledges from thousands of customers of these banks, committing to take their checking, savings, investing and revolving credit business elsewhere if the banks don't move their investments from fossil fuels.
"Stop the money pipeline"
Get ready to see older adults cut up their credit cards in front of banks, although anyone can join such events without cutting up their plastic as the point is to provide public pressure.
This type of pressure worldwide has had an effect. HSBC, Europe's largest bank, recently said it would end fund fossil-fuel expansion.
Indigenous leaders I interviewed have used this same strategy: Bernadette Demientieff, executive director of the Gwich'in Steering Committee in Fairbanks, Alaska, has used it to pressure banks to divest from fossil fuel infrastructure that endangered sacred land and people in Alaska.
"We all have to live on this planet."
Third Act also has created working groups based on vocations by, for example, bringing together lawyers, teachers and artists in focused networks to use their skills for change. And the final charge of this group — which connects to my students — is to support youth environmental and social justice leaders.
In Time magazine, Sophia Kiani, an Iranian-American climate activist, gave specific suggestions for how to show this support: by funding youth climate organizations, expanding formal roles and spaces for youth, giving youth the political power they've earned in elections, and embracing the energy of young people.
Share the Workload
With my students, I've also seen the importance of sharing the foundational work of older generations as we gain strength by learning whose shoulders we stand on.
"Check out this image from 1997," I told one class. "That's Diana Liverman, the only woman on a White House panel on global climate change with President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore."
As a geographer, Liverman has been a co-author on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports since 1995. But the first IPCC report in 1990 included only a handful of women, changemakers in their time.
"We all have to live on this planet," a student named Anna said. "It reminds me of that song from "High School Musical" —'We're all in this together.'" For the climate emergency, this message couldn't be truer — for young and old alike.


How Generations Can Collaborate for Climate Justice

Mallory McDuff

A Conversation With Jane Fonda

Carole Zimmer

When I was writing about my own road trip memories, I thought it would be fun to ask other folks about theirs. I reached out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; the stories I got back range from sweet to hilarious and downright awful. Here are some of the best ones.
"We went to Yellowstone and to Yosemite. All over California. Camped by the beach. Had Thanksgiving in Morro Bay. It was magical."'Times Were Different Back Then' 
"Parents had a station wagon. It had two flip-up seats all the way in the back — basically felt like you were sitting in a tire well, and I sat almost knee-to-knee with my brother. We had four adults and three children with a week's worth of luggage for a trip to Florida! And there was no air conditioning!"    — Donna H., Auvil, Maryland
"My favorite memory is of my mom telling my dad to stop drinking beer while he was driving us to our fishing spot — at 8 a.m. Times were different back then!" – Maria P., New Jersey
"My father rented a van for a family vacation when we drove from Staten Island, New York to Seabrook Island in South Carolina. After a long drive, we were almost at our destination and found out the villa we rented wasn't ready yet.
We were beyond cranky when we checked into a hotel for the night. As my brother and I complained and whined about something, our father got so annoyed that he slammed the sliding door of the van closed, and it just kept going and flew through the parking lot!" — Alice K. M., New York
"Camping with the family, brought the dog. Always put her on a long leash, tied off to the bumper of our Comet. It was a rainy trip, so we packed up early to go home.
As we were leaving, my mom kept saying, 'I feel like we are forgetting something.' The road out was slow and hilly. One time, when we hit a low point, I glanced in the rear-view mirror and saw our dog panting at the top of the hill behind us, running as fast as she could, still tied to the bumper! 'Sandy!' I yelled.
Needless to say, it ended well or this would be another story altogether."
— Robin M., Ontario, Canada
"Drove across country as a kid. We had an accident in Gallup, New Mexico and had to spend a week or so there. It was super fascinating! Then on to Buffalo, New York. I think that was in 1965. We took Route 66.
My childhood was nothing but road trips. We went to Yellowstone and to Yosemite. All over California. Camped by the beach. Had Thanksgiving in Morro Bay. It was magical."
— Maureen M. B., Florida
'I Have Blocked Those Memories for My Sanity' 
"My favorite memories are of my dad, every time we went through a tunnel, opening his window and making a siren noise, so we would hear the 'echo,' and if we went down a particularly big hill — mind you, we were kids so most (hills) were very big at the time — he would say, 'Look ma, no brakes!' (I now do this too!)"
 — CarolLee K., Pennsylvania
"We camped frequently, often in places that required long car drives. We had an 8-track player in the car and only one tape that mom and stepdad would let my brother and me listen to — "Sounds of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel. I still know every word and all the instrumental parts to every song.
They liked tapes by awful easy listening artists of the 70s and I have blocked those memories for my sanity."
 — Brenda L., New Jersey 
"When my parents forgot me at the restaurant ... and my sister Julie goes 'Where's Jeanette?' My mom says I'm in the back of the van, and Julie goes, 'No, she's not.'
And this is in pre-cellphone days. It took them 15 to 20 minutes to realize they'd forgotten me."
— Jeanette H., Wisconsin
'A Man Would Be Walking on the Moon' 
"Lunch on the road! Baloney sandwiches, potato chips, Orange Nehi — things we only got when traveling.
Being trapped with my whiny little bro for endless miles — not so great."
— Liz B., New Mexico
 "Turnpike travel, paper tickets ... calculating costs between exits, tossing coins into those baskets. My dad was always so honest, even on unattended toll booths, always putting more coins in, just in case he calculated wrong."
— Lori S. P., Maryland
"We started in New York. Dad packed a tiny black and white TV in the car for a 4,000-mile road trip because he knew at some point in July 1969 a man would be walking on the moon.
We watched the event live, poolside, at a little motel in Laredo, Texas. Next day, we headed out for Mexico City."
— Nan L., Florida
"Masking tape down the middle of the bench back seat. Bro on one side, sis on other. Don't cross the line! After 5 hours, sleeping on each other."
— Janet J., New Mexico
"Traveling down south, stopped at a Stuckey's for peanut brittle. Mom and I ate the whole box. I asked Dad to stop at every exit for a restroom for at least 20 miles.
I was early teens then, now almost 60, and I have not eaten peanut brittle since."
— Lisa V., Maine


'My Childhood Was Nothing But Road Trips'

Michele Wojciechowski

To relieve the symptoms of menopause, non-traditional treatments are becoming more popular. "Approximately 51% of women use Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) and more than 60% perceive it to be effective for menopausal symptoms," a 2019 article in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine reports. 
While some women report relief from menopausal symptoms with the use of herbal supplements, the NCCIH says that some have proven ineffective and others may carry potential risks, like liver damage. Top 10 Symptoms of Menopause 
JoAnn V. Pinkerton, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, cites these top ten menopause symptoms:
Irregular menstruation and ovulation cyclesLoss of sexual urge and painful intercourseVasomotor symptoms like hot flashes or night sweatsInsomniaIncrease in abdominal or belly fatChanges in breast size and shape from increased fat accumulationHeart palpitationsDifficulties with memory and concentrationMood changesFatigueThe most common complaint among women — about 70% — are the vasomotor symptoms, according to Stephanie Faubion, MD, director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health and Medical Director of the North American Menopause Society.
"[Symptoms] tend to peak about a year after the final menstrual period but can occur before, during, or after menopause," Faubion says. 
Pinkerton says that during what's often called  "the change of life," menstrual and ovulation cycles can become shorter, longer, lighter, or heavier, and fluctuating hormones can lead to missed periods.
If you have had depression at puberty or postpartum or experienced trauma or hormonal changes during perimenopause (before menstruation ceases), you may experience mood changes like depression, irritability or a tendency to anger more easily.
Traditional Treatments
"Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is medication that contains female hormones," the Mayo Clinic notes. It replaces the estrogen your body has stopped producing and can prevent bone loss and reduce the incidence of fractures in postmenopausal women. 
It also treats hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and itching, and discomfort from intercourse.
However, the Mayo Clinic reports that HRT has varying risks for heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer. The risks depend on the age at which a woman starts HRT, the type of HRT she takes, and her family and personal medical history.
Non-traditional Methods
According to the NCCIH, these non-traditional treatments include mind-body approaches like hypnosis CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, guided imagery, herbal products, vitamins, and supplements; and whole-system approaches like acupuncture, homeopathy, and traditional Chinese medicine.
"Mind-body practices may be of benefit in reducing the stress and bothersomeness of some menopausal symptoms."
A study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine (2017) suggests that mind-body practices may be of benefit in reducing the stress and bothersomeness of some menopausal symptoms." 
The NCCIH says, "research on hypnotherapy and mindfulness meditation is in its early stages, but some studies have had promising results." 
While some women report symptom relief using herbs, the NCCIH says that some have proven ineffective and others may carry potential risks, like liver damage. 
"There is currently insufficient data to support using herbal remedies for the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms," Pinkerton says. "Some, such as black cohosh and dong Quai, have been linked to potential adverse effects."
Faubion tells there is no evidence that acupuncture relieves menopausal symptoms. "But this may relate to differences in studies which makes it difficult to compare them," she adds. "Sham acupuncture (needles in places not thought to work for hot flashes) is just as effective as real acupuncture. This probably relates to the high placebo response in hot flash trials (about 30%)."
Safety and Effectiveness
Regarding the effectiveness of non-traditional treatments for menopausal symptoms, the NCCIH says, "there's little information on the long-term safety of dietary supplements, and some can have harmful side effects or interact with drugs."
It is important to remember that, as the NCCIH declares, only a tiny amount of research has been done on most psychological and physical approaches for treating menopause symptoms. 
Nonetheless, the limited evidence suggests that some approaches might help relieve symptoms or make them less troublesome. These include acupuncture, hypnotherapy, mindfulness meditation and yoga.
What To Do?
The lack of evidence about the effectiveness of non-traditional ways to treat menopausal symptoms does not mean they are not safe and effective; it is more that we do not know. 
"Consider your fears about menopause and the willingness to make lifestyle changes or take medications."
"More high-quality random controlled trials are needed for each CAM intervention," the NCCIH reports. Until new research catches up, it might be a good idea to exercise caution and consult your health care professional before using non-traditional methods. 
"My advice to women who are struggling with the symptoms of menopause is to be in the best shape you can be mentally, physically and emotionally," Pinkerton says. "This can help to weather the changes to you, your family, and your relationships that may occur during the menopausal transition."
Pinkerton suggests that if you suffer from hot flashes, investigate your "personal triggers for symptoms," including hot showers or spicy food. Also, it may be helpful to "consider your fears about menopause and the willingness to make lifestyle changes or take medications."
Lastly, Pinkerton proposes the following few wellness tips for women over 50:
Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity throughout the dayAim for at least seven to nine hours of sleep every nightReach and maintain a healthy weight Get help to quit smokingLimit alcohol use to one drink or less per night

Non-Traditional Treatments For Menopause Symptoms: What Works

Debbie L. Miller

On March 31, 2022, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced in a press statement that beginning on April 11, U.S. citizens would be able to choose an X gender marker on their passports:
"The Department is setting a precedent as the first federal government agency to offer the X gender marker on an identity document. When we announced in June that we had begun this work, we referred to the addition of a third gender marker for non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming individuals."
From left, Georgiann Davis, Dana Zzym and Hida ViloriaThe significance of announcing this landmark development on Trans Day of Visibility was not lost on the LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and Two Spirit) community, widely welcomed by transgender, nonbinary and other gender nonconforming individuals. 
However, what Blinken's press release failed to mention, as did the majority of major U.S. media coverage, was that the appearance of the X gender marker resulted from a six-year legal battle fought by a U.S. veteran who is also a member of the community represented by the I in our community's sprawling acronym: intersex.
Simply defined, an intersex individual is one whose chromosomes, hormones, external physical characteristics, internal characteristics, or any combination of the above, do not fit the perceived XX/XY biological sex binary. 
Dana Zzym, associate director of Intersex Campaign for Equality (IC4E), became the first U.S. citizen to be issued a passport bearing the X gender marker.  In the lawsuit Zzym v. Blinken (formerly Zzyym v. Pompeo, Zzyym v. Tillerson, and Zzyym v. Kerry), a federal court granted Lambda Legal's motion to reopen the case on June 27, 2017 and ultimately ruled that the State Department cannot legally deny an intersex Navy veteran, who identifies as neither male nor female, a passport with the appropriate gender marker.
Zzym discovered their intersex status, which had been hidden from them by their parents, in the process of researching a series of invasive, painful genital surgeries carried out on them throughout childhood and young adulthood. Simply defined, an intersex individual is one whose chromosomes, hormones, external physical characteristics, internal characteristics, or any combination of the above, do not fit the perceived XX/XY biological sex binary. 
In addition, their gender identity may not fit the female/male gender binary, which has been erroneously tied to the biological sex binary, either. Zzym uses gender neutral pronouns, they/them/their — and, as another nonbinary member of the intersex community here in the Southwest, so do I.
When intersex issues appear in the media, they almost always appear as part of the ongoing debate surrounding damaging surgeries on intersex infants, which are usually carried out at the behest of terrified, under-informed parents under pressure from medical professionals to ensure that their children will conform to the traditional binaries. 
As Zzym can attest, those surgeries are rarely successful, leaving intersex children confused, alienated from their own bodies, and facing a lifetime of chronic pain and other health issues as a result of those surgeries.
Struggles Faced by the Intersex Community 
However, intersex variations (often called intersex conditions or Disorders of Sex Development, both of which are pathologizing and not widely accepted in the community) are not solely a childhood concern. Intersex people often disappear into adulthood, hiding for fear of further rejection or, even worse, violence. Unsurprisingly, struggles faced by the intersex community overlap with those faced by the transgender community. They are often one and the same given that a high percentage of intersex individuals also identify as trans.
In the Southwest, the LGBTQIA2S+ community is as hyper-focused on queer youth as it is in many of the more populous urban centers of the U.S. Queer middle-aged and older individuals frequently fall by the wayside and have difficulty finding community and accessing services, especially those from BIPOC backgrounds. 
Zzym is a resident of Colorado, one of the states in our region with a proliferation of queer-supporting organizations. By contrast, my home city, Albuquerque, is home to the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, the only center of its kind in my state that is not attached to a university or other institution.
In recent years, New Mexico has become home to an increasingly visible adult intersex community.  I arrived in New Mexico during the summer of 2016, the same year IC4E Founder and Executive Director Hida Viloria relocated here — with whom I had the privilege of editing an online journal issue we titled Intersex Quarterly. 
Several years later, intersex activist and scholar Georgiann Davis accepted a position in the Sociology Department at University of New Mexico, which is where I teach in the English Department while pursuing a PhD in Rhetoric and Writing. Still, much of New Mexico's intersex community is closeted, whether out of preference or necessity. This is especially understandable in those from Hispanic, Latinx, and Native communities.
Activist Georgiann Davis Offers Perspective 
Viloria and Davis each have a long history of groundbreaking activism, often overlapping with each other in documentaries, speaking out against surgeries on intersex infants, and in support of legal battles like Zzym's.  
Having been on panels locally with both of them, for audiences both lay and medical, I look up to Viloria and Davis as elders in our subset of the queer community. 
Davis was available for a brief interview and kind enough to answer the following questions:
AJ Odasso: What have you found the most rewarding about life as an intersex person in the Southwest? The most challenging?
Georgiann Davis: I relocated to Albuquerque about a year ago for work. And while navigating the pandemic with a toddler has had its challenges, I've managed to find pockets of queer folks and allies in and around the area to help make my new area feel like home as an intersex person and newish parent. The most rewarding part about being an out intersex person in Albuquerque is filtered through the comfort I feel knowing other intersex activists have been in the general area far longer than me doing the work that benefits all of us regardless of our bodies. I'm not alone in Albuquerque.
The most challenging part about being intersex in Albuquerque is not necessarily unique to the Southwest but has to do with health care providers' ignorance about intersex issues and their reluctance and stubbornness to learn and grow from the lived experiences of intersex people. It's also quite frustrating navigating flawed anti-queer assumptions about family formations on state issued forms like birth certificates — my child was born in Nevada where an option for 'Parent 1' and 'Parent 2' was available rather than 'Mother' and 'Father.' 
"I think it's important to note that victories happen every day and take on different forms." 
What if my child was born in New Mexico? How would I have been recorded on the birth certificate given my partner was the gestational carrier? I'm still learning and hope I'm wrong in assuming that if we have a second child born in New Mexico, it's going to be challenging to get a birth certificate to only read 'Parent 1' and 'Parent 2.'
How has moving to this region changed the scope of your activism within and outside the queer community, if at all?
I see intersex activism as a global effort with lots of folks devoting their time and energy to making the world a better place for all of us. Being in Albuquerque hasn't changed my activist efforts, but it has reminded me of the importance and value of cross movement collaborations with other minoritized communities given our overlapping goals and the fact that struggles are not bound by our locations.
What are the most significant victories you've seen for the intersex and trans communities in your lifetime?
I think it's important to note that victories happen every day and take on different forms. I could be educating one's neighbor about the existence of intersex people and flawed assumptions that sex is a binary phenomenon. Or a victory could come in the form of an invitation to speak to a local elementary school community about sex and gender diversity. These small steps that don't make national news are incredibly important victories in my mind.
With that said, if you would have told me a decade ago that I'd witness the dismantling of the sex/gender binary on U.S. passports, I wouldn't believe you. But the organization Intersex Campaign for Equality and its leaders, notably Hida Viloria and Dana Zzyym, didn't give up and their win is a victory for all of us. I will forever be indebted to them.
What future changes for the better do you hope to see here in New Mexico?  How do you hope to be involved?
New Mexico has the opportunity to be a leader on intersex issues and they can do so by prohibiting cosmetic surgeries until the person, themselves, is mature enough to be involved in the decision-making process. If someone wants a cosmetic surgery of any kind, that is a choice they should have available to them and not one that is enforced onto their bodies because of flawed assumptions about normalcy.


The Groundbreaking Work of Intersex Activists in New Mexico

AJ Odasso

"You can observe a lot by just watching."
"It's like déjà vu all over again." 
"It ain't over till it's over."
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra's reputation as a lovable dispenser of sneakily clever malapropisms sometimes outshines his brilliance on the baseball diamond. In 19 seasons catching for the vaunted New York Yankees, Berra won the Most Valuable Player award three times, a rare achievement, and earned 10 World Series rings.
Yogi Berra circa 1950'sHow many people, even casual baseball fans, remember?
Sean Mullin is about to remind them. It Ain't Over, Mullin's documentary on Berra, who died in 2015 at 90, is a heartwarming profile of Berra's life in full. The movie, currently in limited theatrical release, excels at showing that the lovable public personality and fiercely competitive player was also a devoted family man.
One of the film's most passionate sources (and defenders of Berra's baseball legacy) is the sports journalist Lindsay Berra, Yogi's eldest grandchild and an executive producer on the documentary.
Rediscovering Grampa Yogi
Over Zoom, Lindsay Berra, 45, sporting a "Yogi" T-shirt in Yankees' white and navy blue, spoke with Next Avenue about the impact her grandfather had on her life and how the documentary has brought her closer to him. This interview has been edited for clarity and space.
Next Avenue: Seeing your grandfather not recognized for his full body of work, did that affect how you look at people who were his age and older?
Lindsay Berra: I've always been a very curious, what's-your-story kind of person. My parents got divorced when I was five, and my grandmother and grandfather kind of became like second parents to me. I would go to a lot of places with them and meet a lot of people who were their age. You don't get to be 80 years old on this planet without having gone through some stuff.
So I would sit down with someone. Even when I was like 15, I'd be like, 'Where did you grow up? What did you do? What have you been doing for the last 80 years?' I don't think I ever really viewed someone as their current state. I always wanted to know where they came from.
My mother's father was an army captain who had two Purple Hearts. He was shot in the chest and went back out and then lost a leg in World War II. My grandfather's wooden leg was very much a constant reminder of all the places he had been before I entered his life. So I don't think I ever really looked at folks as dropping onto the planet at 72. (Laughs)
Lessons from My Grandparents
Spending so much time with your grandparents, how did that shape who you are now?
I say all the time I was really truly blessed and lucky. So many people lose their grandparents when they're [young], and they really only think of their grandparents as people they visit on the holidays, who slip cash into their back pockets when their parents aren't looking. That was not the relationship that I had with my grandparents.
Yogi Berra with his granddaughter, Lindsay, and his wife, Carmen. I had my grandmother until I was 37, and my Grampa Yogi until I was 39. My mother's mom passed before I was born. And my mom's dad, the World War II vet, he died when I was 19. I wish I had had the opportunity to get to know them the way I got to know my grandparents — less as granddaughter and grandparent and more as equals and peers and friends.
You learn so much about where people came from. It just gives you a lot of perspective on how you move through the world and how you should treat people. You kind of understand that everybody comes to every situation with a whole list of stuff that you don't know about.
Working on this movie and now talking about it, has that changed how you view your grandparents?
I'm just more and more amazed by Grampa's reach. So many people either met him one time and had this interaction that somehow made an impact or who never met him but were still impacted and inspired by him in some way.
I can't tell you the thousands of people I've met who say, "Oh my God, you're Yogi Berra's granddaughter! I loved your grandfather!" And they mean love, l-o-v-e, in the same sense of the word as I mean it when I say I loved my grandfather. That's the thing that keeps amazing me: how many people actually loved him.
We always say that he was an example of how to live your life. The love he put into the world came back to him in spades. And it's making me tear up right now. That's an incredible thing to see and I'm reminded of that constantly talking about the film.
Lindsay Berra, in the new documentary “It Ain’t Over.”Has it been difficult to work on this movie and now to talk about it so much?
You saw I just teared up a little bit ago. It happens a lot. And I'm always surprised how close to the surface those emotions are. I'm not sad-crying. I love remembering them, so it's fine. It just makes me feel like they're still here, you know, which is nice.
Not many people have a deep relationship with their grandparents. To have that and for it to touch you so deeply, that's a real gift.
"We always say that he was an example of how to live your life. The love he put into the world came back to him in spades."
It is. This makes me sound like a crazy person, but since we're going here, I'll just tell you. The media schedule is nuts. There's a lot going on, and I have a real job. It's already difficult and we're just at the beginning.
A week ago, I was just really stressed out about the schedule, and I walked into my kitchen. We have one of those birdbath things that gets hot, doesn't freeze — my boyfriend's obsessed with the songbirds. So, I walk downstairs and there's a red male cardinal and a yellow female cardinal right outside our kitchen window on the birdbath looking at me. And I don't know if it's an Italian thing or a Catholic thing, but cardinals are dead people. They come back, that's a thing.
So to see the red cardinal and the female cardinal, the yellow one, together — you don't see that all that often just out in the neighborhood. And to have them there both, they were just looking at me. I was like, "Oh my God. Hi, guys." It was totally Grammy and Grampa telling me everything was gonna be OK. (Laughs.)


Yogi in Full

Pete Croatto

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