Which iconic female entertainer became the oldest person ever to release a No. 1 album in the U.S. — at the age of 77?

The Unraveling

The rest of the day went as smooth as it could, considering the circus we’d just survived. I put Antonette in charge of babysitting her friend — after all, she brought her — and I made sure to keep my smile on, even though I was on high alert the whole damn time. I wasn’t about to let this heffa ruin my meet-and-greet.

This was my house, my people, my man.

And after barely crawling out of that situation with Darius, I had nothing left to give to anybody’s shenanigans.

By nine o’clock, the food was gone, the sun was down, and the crowd started clearing out. Chanel and Duane’s boys stayed behind to help clean up. Antonette would’ve stayed too, but I sent her on home with her friend.

“Take that heffa with you — and you can come back,” I told her.

She knew better than to argue.

Once the house was back in order, we all sat around with one last cocktail. The women stayed in the living room while the men headed to Duane’s man cave — which meant they were definitely talking about Crystal and how she had come strolling up into my home like she was on the damn guest list.

I low-key wished I was a fly on the wall in that cave.

But it was fine.

Me and Mr. “I-Got-a-Secret” would be having our own chat tonight.

When everyone was gone, Chanel and I sank into the couch for the official debrief.

The Debrief

Chanel: “GIRL! What the hell was that today? How does Duane know Antonette’s friend Crystal? Did he say anything to you? Because when she walked in that house to talk to him — and I knew was in there too — girl, I was praying she came out alive!”

We burst out laughing.

Me: “Girl, I don’t have one answer yet. Duane and I agreed we’d talk once everyone was gone. But you already know — ain’t no sleeping tonight until he explains something. I’m scared, irritated, curious… just all over the place.”

Chanel: “You better than me. I woulda thrown everybody out, locked the doors, and we’d be knee-deep in this conversation already.”

I fell back laughing and slapped her a high five.

“You right… but I needed to decompress before I snapped.”

By ten-thirty, everyone was gone. The house was quiet. Just me and Duane now.

The Talk Begins

Duane walked into the living room with this tired, uncomfortable grin.

Duane: “Hey, babe… shit. It’s been one hell of a day.”

I told myself right then — I wasn’t gonna rip into him. I wasn’t gonna fire questions like bullets. I was gonna stay calm, open, ready to hear the whole story.

He poured us both a small cocktail and we sat facing each other on the sofa.

Duane: “Hey, babe…”

Me: “Hey…”

There was a long pause.

Duane: “I don’t know where to begin.”

Me: “The beginning is usually a good place.”

He took a deep breath.

Duane’s Truth

Duane: “Crystal is an ex. From years ago. Way before you. I met her right after my first divorce. I was lonely, hurting, and honestly? Slippin'. I met her in the grocery store — she was checking me out, and I was damn sure looking for something to fill a void.

“We exchanged numbers. Went on a couple dates. And unlike with you… I didn’t hide the fact I had money. I was trying too hard to impress. Not even paying attention to what kind of woman she was.

“At first it was cool. But a couple months in, things shifted. Everything became one-sided. I realized I wasn’t her man — I was her personal ATM.”

He shook his head.

Duane: “It started small. ‘Babe, can you get my hair done?’ Then, ‘I’m short on my car note.’ Then the mall trips… her walking out with designer bags like she was on some damn shopping spree. I let it slide because I wasn’t looking for a relationship. I wanted sex with no commitment — and she was easy on the eyes. No substance, but I didn’t care.”

As he talked, my stomach twisted. I couldn’t judge him — Lord knows I had my own list of post-divorce mistakes — but hearing this, seeing a face I now knew attached to it? That hit different.

He saw the discomfort in my eyes and reached for my hand.
I squeezed back.

“Go on,” I whispered.

Duane: “Eventually I got tired. Not of spending the money — but of her entitlement. Then she started talking about moving in together. Marriage. I shut all that down. Told her straight up I wasn’t ready for that, not with her.

“She flipped. Started accusing me of using her. Called herself my concubine.”

He snorted. “I was shocked she even knew that word.”

I cracked a tiny smile despite myself.

Duane: “She kicked me out. Next day, I went over to apologize — not because I wanted her back, but because I didn’t want it to end messy. And… I wanted to see if she still wanted to mess around, because I wasn’t ready to be out here starting over.”

The knot in my throat formed instantly.

The thought of them together made me want to scream… throw up… and slap her spirit into next week.

But this was before me.
I inhaled slowly.

Duane: “When I got to her place, I heard voices in the backyard. I walked around to the fence… and that’s when I heard her talking to a friend.”

He paused, shaking his head.

Duane: “She said, ‘Remember the dude I told you about?’
Her friend: ‘Yeah, the one you call Big Poppa. What’s his real name?’
Crystal: ‘That’s not important. What’s important is he spoils me. I don’t even know how much money he got but the ATM stays flowing. And we’re old, so if I could’ve gotten pregnant, I would’ve tried to lock him down.’”

I felt my blood pressure climbing.

Duane continued.

Duane: “Her friend asked her if she loved me. Crystal said, ‘Girl, what’s love got to do with it? I love what he provides.’”

He looked at me with pure disgust.

Duane: “Hearing that? I was done. Instantly. I didn’t stay to hear anything else. She called me that night, apologizing, wanting me to come over. I told her no. Then I changed my number and ghosted her. Clean break.”

He leaned back, exhaling.

Duane: “She never knew where I lived. Never met my real people — just saw a couple of my boys at a lounge they owned. It was easy to disappear.”

I stared at him, speechless.

Me: “Wow… this doesn’t even sound like the man I’m engaged to.
Unattached.
Unbothered.
Ghosting women like nothing…”

I shook my head slowly.

“This is… a lot.”

🥗 Roasted Delicata Squash & Pomegranate Salad with Maple-Dijon Dressing

Why it Works:

This salad brings together the sweetness of roasted delicata squash, the tart crunch of pomegranate seeds, and the richness of toasted pecans — all layered on a bed of peppery arugula. It's a celebration of fall textures and colors, light yet satisfying.

🧾 Ingredients:

• 1 medium delicata squash, sliced into rings or half-moons (no need to peel)
  
  

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
  
  

• Salt & pepper, to taste
  
  

• 4 cups fresh arugula
  
  

• ½ cup pomegranate seeds
  
  

• ⅓ cup toasted pecans (or walnuts)
  
  

• ¼ small red onion, very thinly sliced
  
  

• Optional: shaved parmesan or vegan cheese for garnish
  
  

🥄 Maple-Dijon Dressing:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
  
  

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  
  

• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  
  

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  
  

• Pinch of salt
  
  

🧑‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Roast the Squash: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss squash slices with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping once, until golden and tender.
   
   

2. Make the Dressing: Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.
   
   

3. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl or serving platter, layer arugula, roasted squash, pomegranate seeds, red onion, and toasted pecans.
   
   

4. Dress & Serve: Drizzle with dressing just before serving. Add optional cheese if desired.

As crisp autumn air settles in, it’s the perfect time to adopt eco-friendly habits that embrace seasonal change.

Preserve the last of your summer harvest by canning or drying herbs, reducing the need for imported produce and shrinking your carbon footprint.

Don’t forget vehicle upkeep—maintaining tire pressure and rotating tires boosts fuel efficiency and longevity.

Be sure to service your heating system before winter hits by replacing filters and scheduling a professional inspection, ensuring safe and energy-efficient warmth.

Upgrading to a smart thermostat helps curb energy waste by learning your routine and minimizing heating costs.

Bringing houseplants indoors improves air quality and adds tranquil greenery as windows stay shut.

Use fallen leaves for mulch or compost, and plant bulbs to prepare your yard for spring.

Enjoy the outdoors on bike or foot, reaping health and environmental benefits.

Opt for beeswax or soy candles and support local artisans, combining cozy ambiance with sustainability.

Joke Of The Day

Why don’t women over 50 play hide and seek?
Because no one is hiding their wisdom anymore — we show up and run the game.
(Also, knees.)

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, communities across the nation pause in solemn recognition of veterans’ sacrifices.

Female veterans have long stood among these heroes, offering unwavering courage and shaping military history.

From piloting aircraft to leading battalions and building vital systems, their impact stretches across every branch of service.

Yet, their remarkable contributions have too often gone unrecognized, their stories seldom told.

Initiatives like the 2025 Women Veterans Trailblazer Initiative and events such as Tampa Bay’s Annual Women Veterans Appreciation Lunch bring overdue appreciation to these trailblazers.

Meanwhile, celebratory gatherings in Dayton and beyond shine a light on the unique journeys of local women, including those of veterans like Abby Auclair.

By elevating their voices and achievements, the community ensures that the legacy of women in uniform will inspire generations to come.

Interesting Facts

1. Brains Get Better: Studies show that women over 50 tend to have more powerful verbal memory and better emotional regulation than younger adults — the brain is refining, not declining.
2. Hot Flashes, Cool Strength: Menopause can decrease bone density — but regular strength training post-50 actually increases it, making this the best decade to get strong.
3. Beauty in Numbers: In the last decade, the number of women launching businesses after 50 has grown by over 50% — turning life experience into entrepreneurial excellence.

Modern home design is transforming, with sustainability at its core rather than as an afterthought.

Today’s conscious homeowners want interiors that are not only beautiful but responsibly created.

Eco-friendly materials—like reclaimed wood and certified, low-carbon products—are rising in demand, promoting transparency and tangible environmental benefits.

Furniture and décor increasingly follow a circular approach, designed for repair and reuse, while local crafts and regenerative textiles add authenticity and promote well-being.

Luxury now includes curated vintage finds and upcycled elements that tell unique stories.

Innovative techniques, from passive design features to full toxin transparency and advanced biophilic systems, make sustainability both practical and health-focused.

Community-driven sharing models, smart technology, and water-conscious interiors mark a shift to eco-aware living that balances style and conservation.

Sustainable design now defines modern luxury, offering warmth, comfort, and a commitment to a brighter future.

Quote Of The Day

“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life — and I’ve never let it stop me from doing a single thing.”
— Georgia O’Keeffe

🧡 Fly anyway. Always.

The Eliot Church of Newton transformed into a gathering place for sustainability advocates during its recent ‘Tea and Treat’ event on November 5, 2025.

Hosted by the Creation Care Team, the evening blended a Chinese tea tasting with a plant-based potluck, inviting the community to weave eco-friendly practices into daily routines.

Alexander Lee and Iris Tang led guests through the deep traditions of Chinese tea, highlighting more sustainable beverage choices.

Lee, a local sustainability advocate, explained that while coffee production drives deforestation and generates high carbon emissions, tea is a much greener alternative.

Throughout the night, attendees experienced a teahouse atmosphere, learned about distinctive teas, and discovered energy-saving brewing tips such as induction cooking.

Participants like Brita Lundberg shared how switching to tea has brought health and lifestyle benefits.

The event showcased the church’s ongoing dedication to environmental stewardship, inspiring Newton residents to make thoughtful, sustainable choices.

Cher, with her 2018 album “Dancing Queen

Sharing is Caring - F.L.Y. After 50