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ARTICLES FROM THE ORCHARD
STORIES FROM OUR COMMUNITY

Resources, inspiration, and support as you navigate age-related changes.
Here are a few ideas to help you along your journey.


Welcome to Your Menopause Primer
During your early teen years, your body began a remarkable cyclic journey shared by women throughout the ages. Now, that cycle is...
Feb 42 min read


Princess Leia Calls Bullshit on Labels
Carrie Fisher was more than just a badass space heroine; she was a sharp-tongued, wise-cracking truth-teller who didn't hold back,...
Jan 163 min read


Fingers Up for Your Belated Year of Delight
My friend was struggling with profound grief. In the midst of her hurt, she texted me a few lines from Jack Gilbert's A Brief for the...
Jan 13 min read


Make a Date with Cologuard
Hopefully by now you know that the Plums are only willing to be silly about stuff that’s really serious, so we trust you'll forgive the...
Dec 1, 20243 min read


Mother Really Does Know Best
I remember the shock I felt when I realized I was pregnant. Though I had always wanted to be a mom, my favorite scientific journal (O...
Nov 17, 20242 min read


Try on the Lucky Filter
Earlier this year TikTok was buzzing with the 'Aged' filter, which claims to show us how we might appear as we grow older. Remarkably,...
Oct 18, 20242 min read


I'm Worried About My Mom
Dear Plums, My mother still lives at home. She’s been in her house for almost 50 years, and she doesn’t want to move. Dad has been gone...
Oct 1, 20244 min read


When a friendship no longer serves you
First off, let’s acknowledge that ending any relationship is tough, especially one that’s given you joy, support, and companionship....
Sep 24, 20243 min read


Muscle over Manicotti
Dear Friend, Oh, how I've missed our Monday coffee and croissant meetups. It's been far too long since we last sat down for a glass of...
Sep 22, 20242 min read


In Search of a Serum
Lotions and potions and serums, oh my! Whether you’re wandering the aisles of a drugstore or a fancy-pants cosmetic retailer, you can’t...
Sep 19, 20242 min read


Cup of Ambition
I was 10 years old when my mom took me to the theater to see 9 to 5 . These 3 funny ladies had a mean boss and they got together and...
Sep 15, 20242 min read


Not-so-Dirty Talk: Dry Vaginas
Oh honey… OUCH. What if that thing that worked comfortably for your vag during sexxytimes even a few months ago is suddenly painful?...
Sep 1, 20242 min read


All Hail Queen Emma
Gather round, Plums, because today we're here to celebrate a woman who's not just an incredible actress but a true Sage Plum in every...
Aug 31, 20242 min read


Empty Nest Blues
Dear Plums, I just dropped my youngest son off at college. Our nest is officially empty, and I feel lost. I’m happy to see my kids...
Aug 16, 20243 min read


If you’re having a pity party . . . grab a hat!
The challenges we face in our Plum years are multifaceted. We’re simultaneously dealing with snotty teens we launch into college or...
Aug 8, 20243 min read


Birth Control in Perimenopause and Menopause
I haven’t had a period in 3 months. Before that, a gusher. Then a dry spell. I THOUGHT I WAS DONE WITH ALL THIS. NOW YOU’RE TELLING ME...
Aug 1, 20242 min read


What we talk about when we don't talk about money
"Mom - are they rich?" "Honey, that’s rude." The summer after 4th grade, I spent a blissful Saturday zipping through the fields behind...
Jul 18, 20246 min read


Getting out of our own way
Lots of people will trip us up, making it more challenging to reach our goals, or creating obstacles which can derail us for a bit. But...
Jul 17, 20245 min read


How to Forgive Yourself
I did something really dumb. There. I said it. I could name the thing - “I screamed at my teenager in public,” or “I drank more than...
Jul 12, 20243 min read


How To Grow Old
It's high time we put down our readers and put on our perspectacles, Plums. Because there are so few TV shows and movies focusing on...
Jun 23, 20242 min read
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