Monday Notes for Women over 60
Happy Monday, friends. Welcome to a new focus called Monday Notes for Women over 60.
In Monday Notes for Women over 60, I will discuss life over 60 in several different areas from cooking to clothing to home to our challenges at this stage of life.
For us, the women over 60, it can be a great time of life, one day at a time and with joy…not complaining.
Today, I want to begin with a tribute to someone I really enjoyed as a woman over 60…and I am sad to see her go so soon.
MONDAY NOTES FOR WOMEN OVER 60: DIANE KEATON
On Saturday, so many of us were shocked to read of the passing of Diane Keaton at age 79.
There have been many celebrity passings in 2025, but this one really saddened me…I was hoping to see her smile and optimism much, much longer.
In my early sixties, I was wearing black glasses and during one speech I gave to a women’s group, a lady said that I reminded her of Diane Keaton…I was shocked at the compliment and honored by it.
Diane was someone who seemed to bring joy to so many…even during her more dramatic roles. She could be quirky, fun, and happy….and in reading some of the comments this weekend, she was also a mentor to young actors.
One of the reasons I respected both Diane Keaton and Diane Von Furstenberg so much was their determination to not have plastic surgery, but “leave this world with the face they came with.” However, Diane Keaton said to never say never, because that is usually when it happens.
Other Diane Keaton quotes that I find inspirational are:
- “A sense of freedom is something that happily comes with age and life experience.”
- “We can grow gracefully or gorgeously. I pick both. I never understood the idea that you’re supposed to mellow as you get older. Slowing down isn’t something I relate to at all. The goal is to continue in the good and bad of it. I have always loved independent women, outspoken women, eccentric women, funny women, flawed women.”
- “Don’t give up on yourself. So you make a mistake here or there, you do too much or you do too little. Just have fun. Smile. And keep putting on lipstick.”
- “It is kind of true, you do disappear off the planet if you are a middle-aged woman, but that has some advantages as well.”
She will be missed…and I will continue to play that song from First Wives Club over and over again! What a great scene that was!
MONDAY NOTES FOR WOMEN OVER 60: ALWAYS INSPIRED BY NATURE
Diane Keaton was one of the few women over 60 who knew and completely owned her personal style.
She did menswear better than anyone…except maybe Katherine Hepburn.
And Keaton’s joy shown through her style. She sent messages of joy, strength, confidence, artistic and fun that were communicated in ways unique to her.
How I wish I could wear hats as successfully as she did.
My own style right now is heavily influenced by nature’s colors around me.
I live where it is still hot and there are no beautiful autumn leaves, but the changing of sunlight does show me how lovely yellow and greens are together. I am going to pull out my yellow barn jacket this week.
It is also a perfect time for me to find inspiration for neutral outfits in nature around me.
I remembered this brown and black cardigan last week, after seeing the acorn and feather in the dry grass. That is just how I think.
It is my favorite time of year for clothing, but I really need to have cooler weather to pull out new selections…I hope it arrives soon.
You can also see in this picture how I “scrunge” up my long sleeves during this time…we discussed this recently in the sweater conversation.
I snapped this photo standing in line last week. Loved her shoes. If anyone knows this shoe, please share the information.
I have also noticed how many women over 60 in my town are wearing the jeans with deep cuffs. They seem to be very popular with our age groups this year.
The ladies here over 60 looked very style forward and put together when going out and about.
MONDAY NOTES FOR WOMEN OVER 60: COWBOY SOUP
Mr. B is more into soup this year than he has been in the past.
He likes to have it for dinner when he comes home from work during the week…so I usually plan to make a large amount that will last a few days for both of us.
Recently, I decided to make soup for us and for my daughter’s family, so I needed to locate a recipe that everyone (including children) would like.
I discovered on a website called What Molly Made, a recipe for COWBOY SOUP.
For the most part, I followed the recipe. Except in our pot, I stirred in two teaspoons of Chili/Garlic paste for a little kick, and in their pot, I stirred in a teaspoon of maple syrup for just a little sweet.
It worked…everyone was happy with what they got.
I can’t always please every child, but this one got close. I think my 7-year-old grandson would eat nothing but PB&J sandwiches if he could get away with it.
I do recommend this recipe, so a big THANK YOU to Molly, and it was easy to make mass quantities at once.
Thanks for joining me today for MONDAY NOTES FOR WOMEN OVER 60…I hope you enjoyed this first post in this series.
And also, a huge thank you to those who stopped by yesterday for our first weekly devotion…what a blessing that was to have you there.
I will be here tomorrow…until then…let’s pay a big tribute to Diane Keaton and…..
KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way and show support for this blog. It means the world.
Thanks for featuring Doane Keaton. She was truly classy. A great example for all of us. Your soup looks fabulous. Happy Fall!
Shoes – Johnny Was Vixie Floral Low-Top Sneakers! They’re sold out on line (I checked Nieman Marcus, Johnny Was and Nordstroms) but there appear to be a few floating around on sites like Poshmark.
I would like to know more about the shoe also.
Diane Keaton was one of my favorites. It is sad she is gone. I love that last picture of her and her dog. Her style and attitude on life is something to remember.
This soup looks like a good one.
Thanks Pam. I like the reminder of not complaining. I needed that as I had a bad week and I was feelng overwhelmed. Now you made me remember how to have gratitude and just go day by day with joy. Thanks for the inspiration!
Happy Fall, Marcia. Diane Keaton’s laughter and joy was contagious and I think that is what I loved most about her.
Thanks Angela! I love having field reporters…have a great day.
Hi Joyce…read Angela’s comment. She did a little digging for us.
It was a good soup! Thanks so much, Paula.
I also was saddened to hear of Diane Keaton’s passing. Her quirkiness was delightful, and she was a good actress in both dramas and comedies. And the fact that she was only 79 really had an impact on me as I will turn 79 in exactly one month. I also made a big pot of vegetable beef soup this weekend and made enough to share with our son and family. I’m sure many people made chili as we are having our first cooler mornings, and chili seems to be what many in my area make when we finally get cooler weather. So nice to not have those high 90° days.
It’s also too hot here to wear sweaters, unheard of for northern Ohio. It’s supposed to be mid-sixties with frosty nights, but it’s often in the eighties. However, it’s been very dry and the sky is deep, turquoise blue. I hope it cools down enough to wear some of my collection of light jackets, as at this rate we will go straight from summer into winter. Women like Diane Keaton remind me that style is unique, and for women who get that, the trends are somewhat irrelevant. She always seemed so effortless and stylish (and nice too). I tried a pair of deep cuff jeans from Talbots, and they made me look like Mr. Greenjeans. The lady at Talbots said it was because, at 5’5”, I needed a shallower cuff as it was shortening my leg. She sold me a pair of jeans that were too long, and we decided on a flattering cuff length. I went home and tacked it down at the corners, and they are some of my most worn jeans this fall. That’s the kind of service I love, and I’d certainly not get from Amazon.
I will miss Diane Keaton. She was always a style icon to me. I’m glad she always maintained a good image—which seems so rare these days.
I would love to have those cooler days. We are so warm here. Enjoy that weather, Celia
Thanks for sharing your cuff jeans experience!
Yes! That is rare! It does seem that everyone is saddened by her passing. Thanks Kim!
Thank you for this tribute to Diane Keaton. I’ve been quite sad about her passing. It was a shock to lose her so quickly. She was such a role model in her approach to living life on her own terms. She was so relatable in her roles and inspiring in her approach to aging. She leaves us a legacy in her movies, which will continue to inspire me.
She has always inspired me, Theresa, in a variety of ways. I was hoping she would be like Betty White and be around for another 15-20 years…it was such a surprise.
Johnny Was Floral Vixie Sneaker,
Pamela.
Aloha, have a beautiful and blessed day! 🌺
Ha, ha! I loved Linda’s referencing Mr. Greenjeans!
Diane Keaton was a gem. She gave so many beautiful performances. My favorites will always be Father of the Bride and Something’s Gotta Give. She aged with grace.
I too was shocked and saddened to hear of Diane Keaton’s death. She has always been one of my favourite actresses and I love her unique menswear-inspired style.
I make a hearty hamburger soup in the Instant Pot that is quite similar to yours. I started with a couple of recipes that I found online and created my own. It has been a hit with everyone I’ve served it to.
She did age with grace…and I think those are my favorites as well. Thanks Connie…gotta love those memories of Mr. Green Jeans and the Captain.
You just confirmed someone else’s comment. I love that this audience will locate these things! Aloha to you as well! Blessings.
I bet it is good, Elaine. Just based on how this one went. I do not cook with an Insta Pot, but I believe this would work great in a slow cooker as well. Hope you are feeling well these days.
I, too, was shocked by the passing of Diane Keaton. She defined my generation in her movies and style. Always upbeat , I loved her zany outfits and constant smile, and I borrowed a more pared down look of it. One of my college pals and I reminisced yesterday about shopping her glasses style after Annie Hall. Mine were green. Hers were red. I have scrolled through Getty images of Diane, and realize that my penchant for hats, plaid coats, brogues and menswear style may inadvertently have been a carry over from her, but in a sedate way.. As my husband and I have been slowly going through Robert Redford movies, we will do the same for her. We were lucky enough to see her perform live in the 70s in The Primary English Class She laughed through the entire show, as she seemed to through life, but I will never forget Al Pacino’s last scene with her in The Godfather. RIP.
That looks like a delicious soup! Kid tested and approved.
I will slowly go through her movies as well, Deborah. So many brought laughter and joy. Thanks so much.
I was also saddened to hear of Diane Keaton’s passing. Her style was unique to her, & she owned it. My movie favorites were both the Father of the Bride movies & Baby Boom. Your soup looks delicious. I got a chuckle out of your comment about you grandson & his peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. It reminded me of my now grown niece who ate almost nothing but Fluffernutter (peanut butter & marshmallow fluff) sandwiches for about a year.
I am not going to mention Fluffernutter to him, or that is what he will want! I was always a little captivated by Diane Keaton’s style…even when she was styled for a movie…and look how the coastal trend took off from her movie role. She was fun in many respects. Thanks Becky
We loved watching Diane Keaton films! We are fortunate that we can see her in many different ways in her work. I loved her sense of style and her big beautiful smile. We will miss her. It has turned very chilly here at 44 degrees! I’m in my jeans and a GAP sweatshirt. Today is cleaning and laundry day here.
Send it down here, Sydney!