I do not carry a chapstick, gloss, lip tint or moisturizer. I carry a red. I have many tubes of various shades of luscious carmine lipstick, some more strident than others. Nightime shades, daytime shades, fun shades. Why, in the age of neutrals?

Well. I am not neutral. There were a bad few days in 2017 when I was not sure if the next surgery would reveal more carcinoid tumors, more dire circumstances than just the one tumor that filled my appendix. And honestly, I was pissed. I wanted more of my kids, my gardens, the sunshine, travel. My life. So I got up a few days later and slicked on some red lipstick and looked in the mirror and said ‘not going to happen.’ And so far, it hasn’t.

Red gives me courage, brings out the blue in my eyes, makes me smile. Isn’t that what we want everyday? If all it takes is a wardrobe of reds, I am here to tell you: do it.

Best foot forward everyday because you might not be walking tomorrow.

Still walking.

Oh yes, and cake. Surround yourself in what saturates your soul with happy. You will not regret it.

(Photo: Galentines. 2026. All the red hearts. All the cake.)