HAPPY SUMMER SOLSTICE

The longest day of the year. The opposite side of the calendar from my Winter Solstice birthday.

Continuing to be glued to Iran but also about to start writing-not the blog but my book-after a looooong hiatus. First though, some random replies to blog comments:

Enough already with nostalgia about the 60s movement. Different times, different context. There was the draft, the cultural revolution, I think there is still courage and inspiration out there today but it takes different forms and the new social media is fueling it. Obama would never have been elected were this not so. Look at how he raised money. Revolutionary. Looked how his campaign galvanized young people and people of color. Revolutionary. He is a product of the 1960s and is being very smart about it. Now, in this new context, and using the social media, and seeking out the various progressive networks that are out there by reading the progressive blogs and magazines you can plug yourself in to today’s movement. It’s never too late. If you’re a woman, go to the websites womensmediacenter.com and Vday.org (both orgs are on the front page of my blog). Google “feminist”-there are many great websites that link women together (this in response to a woman’s comment that women don’t support each other.)

Johanna, good attitude: “No one’s gonna do it for you,.”  So you gotta do it for yourself. It’s your life to make something of-or not. It’s our choice. There’s a statute of limitation on blaming parents and others. BUT, your feelings of depression and helplessness might be a result of menopause and so you should check into the serotonin uptake inhibitors like Prozac just to get you thought what is, for many if not most women, a challenging time when we feel our life is falling apart around us. Trust me, when you come out the other side ==post menopause–and your testosterone levels increase in relation to your estrogen levels, you’ll feel like a whole new woman. I’ve been researching this and writing about it in my new book.

Kate: What’s a “Hinge Wallet”?

Jason: I decided to get knee surgery in L.A. instead of Atlanta where I live because I know this doctor. He did my hip replacement very successfully and Angela Lansbury had him do her knees and is very happy with them and because I wanted to recuperate here where my son is-and many friends.

All for now. See you next time.

Share This Post
26 Comments

  1. okay jane, when you are fully recouped and back in the atl, you have to come out and play. your atlanta gays miss you! heres to a speedy recovery! XOXO

  2. Happy writing today. The birdies are twittering too, and the sun is shining. Yay.

    I am in such awe of your sharing nature and your ability to express your thoughts so candidly and clearly.
    When you have a moment, I’d love to hear from where or whom you think you received these lovely gifts.

    Hinda

  3. Saw a piece on your life. What a life. To think you still have so much more to do. You are in many ways inspirational. I gues it is you passion for issues and life. I guess the rest of us can plug into that passion. For you it seems to have made you ageless, perhaps this is a great anti aging theory. Hope the surgery goes well and speedy recovery.

  4. So Jane, along with recuperating from the knee surgery, what other plans do you have this summer? Are you going to be focusing most of your time on writing for the new book?

    Happy Summer Solstice to you as well!:D

    Hope the physical therapy is still going strong!

    All my best,
    Amanda

  5. Congrats Jane on successful surgery. I was hoping and praying that all would go well. It is the SHORTEST day of the year here in Malawi. So unusual for me to experience the opposite of there in so many situations, including this one. It’s great that revolutionary has become a positive concept with President Obama in charge. He and his team are so creative and progressive in the way they approach most things and are an example to our government here too. We see the leaders here emulating him in many ways. GREAT!

  6. Great day in NYC although the “Bed In” in Central Park had to be postponed due to all the rain we have gotten.
    Hope you get back to NYC someday soon with your new knee!

  7. Good advice on depression, menopause, etc. I had to do this a couple of years ago and now, today (my 50th birthday), life looks differently. Also, good read…. “Changing Course” by Claudia Black if you happen to need to unpack your baggage as I did (inspired by your memoirs).

  8. AMEN to your Johanna answer!! I have NEVER felt better long after menopause. I (instead of those hormones) feel more ‘in charge’ of my life. Also like your looking forward instead of way back in the 60’s…a very, very different time just as you describe. Re your activity then, I can recall ‘thanking’ you and Tom Hayden for doing what I wanted to do but was busy raising my son who was only a babe. I was ready to move to Canada to save my child; on we go!!!

  9. Your right again Jane”There’s a statute of limitation on blaming parents and others” I feel that the 60s was about accepting self responsibility ,that social force that binds use in our obligations that sets our actions and sphere of force and activities. We are answerable to someone , in the end we are responsible for one’s own conduct. Write on, we age and learn and within this is our obligation and course is set in time.

  10. Sounds like you are ready to go again! It is our Winter Solstice here and our Summer Solstice around your birthday….funny how it works! Very miserable weather in Sydney right now, though we did need the rain just hard to get to work on public transport! Good luck with all your endeavours (aussie spelling!).

  11. Hi Jane
    I’m so happy to know that you’re back at home and that you are well .
    We saw last Friday the TVC shot in Paris last week on Age Re-Perfect : It is great and gorgeous ! and you are abslolutely fanstastic. L’Oreal is very happy.
    Take care
    Kisses
    Delphine (Romet from McCann Paris)

  12. Dear Jane,

    I met you briefly in 1972 at the Ohio State Fair. You were giving a speech with Tom Hayden. I didn’t support the tenents of your speech at the time but I did and still do your right to give it. I have watched your life, career and tenacity to try and “make a difference”. I am so glad you are touting “friends and family” now and not just causes because “who you really are” is defined by your friends and family not just passion for a cause. Keep up the good work, stay focused and enjoy life. I am hoping your recovery is swift and as painless as possible.

  13. wow…what a history you have with St John’s…me too. I was born there! I’m one of the few native Los Angelans around…born in Santa Monica, lived in Hollywood, the valley, Newport Beach (briefly) and Palos Verdes, where my 87 year-old folks STILL reside. I love LA…always have, always will. Something to be said for those “roots”…my brothers and their families live locally as well.
    Is there any chance at all that “33 Variations” will ever have a Los Angeles run?
    Thanks for ALL your blogs!
    🙂
    Lauri

  14. Hello Mrs.Fonda,
    Thank you for the example you gave us when we were young, and for everything you thought us through your movies and your philosophy. We are now who we are as a result of your generation actions and people like you. Thank you!
    So, you had a hip replacement, than there are some osteoporosis issues.
    I would kindly suggest you try some remedies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – acupuncture, herbs, medicated diet, medical QiGong, etc. You have very good TCM doctors there in California and the results are amazing. The aging process can be tremendously slowed down, immune system boosted, nervous system strengthened, and musculoskeletal system improved. Just give a try!
    Dan Micu – Toronto

  15. Jane,
    It must be karma that I recently found your blog. Your voice has encouraged me to be true to myself and to go forth and conquer.

    I too am exploring and finding a redirection of my career of 37 years in video production. I understand the whole painful knee experience, although I’m hoping to forestall my surgery as long as possible until I’m in shape first. And I’ve recently been looking back to my days in the 60s and early 70s (“HAIR” remembrances). I was just a naïve kid then and now looking back I have put it behind me. As you said it was another time and context. Forgiveness is great for the soul, and some time passage with a little memory loss helps too. 🙂 It’s time now to move forward.

    I’ve been working since I was 20 with hardly a break (I never married, nor had children). Ironically, I feel that my recent lay-off has been the best thing that could have happened to me. I’ve broken the never ending senseless multi-tasking and am free of the angst of being the only breadwinner. I am very grateful to the current government for helping so many of us during this time. I am less stressed because of the financial support and no longer wish I could live in some other socialist country where they provide for their citizens.

    I know I have to be creative, and will find a way to channel my talents towards helping the world change and grow for the better. I realize I have been complacent, watching others fight for what I believe in. I’ll be participating in life more. Your sharing of your thoughts has been inspirational and encouraging. Where I used to think I peaked in my twenties and thirties, I now feel the best is yet to come for me. You remarked about feeling lighter and once I finish shedding some of my baggage and living conscientiously in the Now I hope to feel lighter too. Please continue to be yourself, and write as yourself. You are a great mentor, thank you for sharing. Good luck with your rehabilatation. I hope it will be speedy.

  16. That’s life. In Uruguay, where I live, was the shortest day. The good news is that now the days begin to lengthen and be able to run every day early. It is encouraging your followers to read your answers at random. From Uruguay with love.

  17. Jane
    Totally unrelated… I made two recipes from your cookbook. A blast from the past! I needed a Lowfat Hollandaise sauce recipe, and it has a pretty good one. Also made your bloody mary, but I added vodka! They worked well with my Father’s Day breakfast for my husband. Anyways, Fun reading your blog.
    Jen

  18. Jane,
    Thanks for the links to the websites related to women supporting women – I will check them out. Need to channel some of your positive energy to begin making positive things happen in my life.
    You are truly an inspiration in body and spirit.
    Here’s to a speedy recovery and return to Atlanta!

  19. Jane,

    Iran seems to be everywhere, and my heart goes out to all. It will be interesting to see how things resolve.
    Yes, I’am learning the importance of social media today, and the wonderful people whom are willing to share their knowledge.
    Thank you for the web sites. Checked out womensmediacenter.com and Vday.org. So much good information to digest, and research.
    On an other note, I was wondering if you would include some pointers for people with physical limitations (multiple fusion patients,etc) in your new video? You would be surprised how many people could benefit from it.
    Happy Writing,

  20. The longest day of the year…Happy Summer!
    I like that you remember what we all say here on your blog and respond to it. I hope you know there are people who don’t find their day complete without checking in on you. We love your blog.

  21. About the hinge wallets, it’s a smidge hard to explain…

    http://pics.livejournal.com/0ntherun/pic/00014ed3/s320x240

    If that doesn’t help, Google Image “hinge wallet” and there’s TONS of results:)

    Oh, and happy half-birthday:D

  22. You have a cookbook?

  23. Hi Jane, thanks for the reply. I was just wondering because you seem to love Atlanta and you’ve been away so long. Can”t believe you typed my name. Wow. 🙂 Have to tell you after seeing you in 33 Variations, I am now hooked on Broadway and being a flight attendant from Europe, who can request flights, I am now requesting JFK constantly in order to see all the good shows on at the moment. You recommended Maria Stuart, so will try and see that but hope to get to see Angela Lansbury (a fellow countryman/woman) in June in Blithe Spirit. The clips I”ve seen on the internet look very good. Anyway, thanks for getting me hooked on theatre again.
    And one day, I’ll request a layover in Atlanta, a city I”ve never been, in order to take a look at why you love it so much.
    Best wishes, as always, to you and your bionic parts and a speedy recovery!
    Jason

  24. Great blog today. You are so right about the time running out on being able to blame our parents. I’ve had to learn to let go and move on, and it’s a constant work in progress. One thought leads to a full memory, and then you have to do something progressive and forward thinking as you process it. (Rather than sit and whine…..) I knew all would go well with your surgery, and am glad you are with your family. Thanks again, Jane!

  25. There’s all kinds of stuff going on at my college campus: protests, demonstrations, awareness events, etc. There is a lot of “60’s activism” happening here. I guess the people who are nostalgic about the 60’s aren’t aware of the present public involvement with social/political issues. In my World History class we are learning about the Middle East. I’ve just found a new interest. I’m absolutely interested in what’s going on out there: politically, with women, socially, human rights, etc. And being a college student and being around such progression makes me feel connected to the world. 3 years ago I would not have had these thoughts at all. It’s kind of bitter sweet though. I’m JUST now becoming aware of the world around me and it sometimes feel like I’m playing catch-up, like I have to read a thousand news papers or something. I know you probably couldn’t careless about this, but I thought I’d add my thoughts to the 60’s nostalgia comments.

  26. Jane, between the solstices and equinoxes are the four Cross Quarters:

    Cross Quarter Moving Graphic

    Imbolc Cross Quarter

Leave a Reply