We Could Die Doing This - by Ellen B Waterston (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

"We Could Die Doing: Dispatches on Ageing from Oregon's Outback," is a compilation of short essays focused on topics related to ageing in poignant and humorous ways. Ellen Waterston's book seeks to reveal and discuss stereotypes about ageing as well as how to deal with ageing in today's youth-obsessed culture. As renowned poet Judith Barrington states, "Most of us, whether of that 'certain age' or simply ap-proaching it, need to listen to her thoughts on the joyful possibilities of 'the third act'; she believes that 'this phase of life is as rich, complex and dynam-ic as any before it.'" Waterston addresses a wide-ranging array of subjects including managing technology, green burial, politics during holiday events, social isolation, senior sex!, and a firm salute to enjoying the "third act" of life. All while circumnavigating the usual euphemisms used to describe ageing and its attendant issues. Waterston uses her own experience as a "woman of a certain age," and highlighting the joyful possibilities, rather than the limitations of ageing. Waterston, a celebrated creative and gifted writer, currently serving a two-year term as Oregon Poet Laureate, is exceptionally qualified to offer both wisdom and data on the subject of ageing. She does not paint a rose-colored glow on her topic, but, as reviewer Andrea Carlisle stated, "does not shrink back from the beauty, refreshment, and welcome challenge of it either."

Review Quotes

As a self-described "woman of a certain age," and also a winner of multiple writing awards, Ellen Waterston is superbly qualified to offer wisdom on the subject of ageism. Most of us, whether of that "certain age" or simply approaching it, need to listen to her thoughts on the joyful possibilities of "the third act"; she believes that "this phase of life is as rich, complex and dynamic as any before it." Whether addressing gun control, gay rights, or the sound of the tiny tree frog, as it emerges to welcome spring, she displays a wealth of knowledge from her roots in central Oregon to her travels, most recently in Bhutan. She seamlessly merges personal stories with useful data, writing with the sure hand of an experienced creative writer, guided by a researcher's curiosity. Her subjects are relevant to a wide variety of younger and older readers; for those wondering about retirement, ever the wordsmith, the writer claims that "The Spanish got it right. Their word for retirement is jubilación. - Judith Barrington author of Virginia's Apple

These short essays by Ellen Waterston bring old age into a clearing for truth about this time of life. They 're full of personality, surprises, connections and witness, like letters from a friend who has reached the far shore and has set out to explore. Waterston values and validates her experience. She writes realistically about old age - no rosy glow but no shrinking back from the beauty, refreshment, and welcome challenge of it either. - Andrea Carlisle, author of There Was an Old Woman

Circumnavigating the usual euphemisms employed to capture aging, like "the autumn of life" or "elderhood," in her essay entitled 'Ribbit' Ellen Waterston surprises with a springtime metaphor from her own backyard in Central Oregon: the Chorus frog, "the tiny, paper clip-sized tree frog that nests all winter under leaves and underbrush...They hop out of hiding, a balloon of sound fills up their froggy chests, and the nighttime hullabaloo gets underway." This amphibian survivor of winter speaks to a secret longing of those of us who are growing older: a desire to survive winter intact, still singing, coming alive to new possibilities, and celebrating through this transitional stage leading to old age.

Drawn from writing for a monthly column on ageing and ageism for The Source Weekly, Waterston begins with what is in front of her: the assassination attempt on Trump that leads to reflections on gun control and then to the dangers of weaponizing language; when "recklessly brandished" language becomes an assault weapon that causes great havoc. You can bank on wickedly fresh language, original perspectives, and a rich mix of politics, nature, and dangerous opinions. After reading an essay, you will think about it. You will want to read it again. -

Caryl & Jay Casbon, authors of Side by Side: The Sacred Art of Couples Aging with Wisdom & Love