Q&A With The 85-Year-Old Voice Behind "Thoroughly Modern Millie," Part II

I’m not a fan of the phrase “be authentic.”

It sounds too clinical.

Can’t we just say “be yourself.”

That’s exactly how Millie Garfield approaches her blog, which has served the 85-year-old blogger well.

Millie was kind enough to talk with me about her writing. I published the first half of the interview yesterday; here’s the second half of the conversation:

Q: I noticed that you typically post once per week. Do you have a routine?

A: My routine is to write for the blog on Sunday. Sometimes I write on Saturday. Then, Steve [son] will take the post and make it look good with formatting and photos.

Q: So Steve is an integral part of the process?

A: Yes, one of the best things about blogging is it’s something I do with my son.

Side note: Steve Garfield is a nationally known video blogger and author of “Get Seen: Online Video Secrets to Building Your Business.”

Q: What do you think of Twitter?

A: I don’t use Twitter a lot. Steve does a lot of tweeting. I enjoy reading his tweets so I know where he is and what he’s doing. A few months ago I tweeted about “Mad Men.”

Q: Is there a post that you’re particularly proud of?

A: “My Trip from 65 to 81.”

I  just reread it – That one took more thought and time than any other post I ever made. I really told it just the way it was.

At the age of 77 I started blogging. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that it would enrich my life the way it has. When I was a child I was this shy little girl and look at me now! I’ve been on TV, been written up in newspapers and made speeches!! This all came about because when I asked my son, “What is Blogging?” I took the challenge and started a whole new chapter in my life.
MY TRIP FROM 65 to 81
“My Mom’s Blog,” January 16, 2007

Q: You often write about things people can relate to, like hospital food.

A: That’s how I look at things. That food was horrible … but I’m not a complainer. I figured out ways to survive like ordering two entrees which increased the likelihood of getting something decent.

Q: What do you enjoy about blogging? Is it the opportunity to express yourself?

A: That’s true.

When I’m writing no one interrupts me. I can get out what’s on my mind.

When I’m talking with someone, sometimes that person can start talking before I’m finished.

But blogging is more than writing.

Q: What do you mean?

A: It can be a form of storytelling to share who you are with your children and grandchildren.

My mother or father didn’t share much about their youth.

And I didn’t ask questions.

Before they were parents they had a life.

But I don’t know much about that life.

My kid sure knows about his mom’s past.

Q: Any closing thoughts we didn’t touch on through the questions?

 

A: More seniors should blog. Don’t be afraid you’re going to break something. There’s nothing to break.

Like I already mentioned, blogging enriches my life.

Here’s one last thing.

I wanted to print all of my posts but my printer wasn’t working. Steve said he would make copies with his printer. Every so often I would ask him about it. I didn’t want to push. Then my birthday arrived and he gave me one of the best gifts I’ve ever received –

All of my posts put together as a hardcopy book called “My Mom’s Blog.”

It had me in tears.

Photos courtesy of Steve Garfield.