7-28-2026 2:41pm

Love the Skin You're In

Christine Larkin Editor

SKYLARK'S WEEKLY ARTICLE

On a recent visit to the skin doctor, I had a pre-cancerous growth burned off my chest. I'm sure it's from too much sun exposure. I love the beach. La Spiaggia. I'm taking less sun this summer. Sigh.

Back in the day, we didn't use sunscreen. We would lay out in our yards with a sun reflector made of an album cover that opened up with two large sides just big enough to seal it with tin foil and hold it under our chin to get a fast, dark tan. Were we nuts? You reap what you sew.

Those were the good old days before all of the warnings came out about how dangerous the sun was for our skin. We were free. We would spend countless hours at the beach never thinking about any danger from the sun. It felt good when your skin got a little sunburned.

The beach is the most peaceful place for me. It's where I'm my best self. Calm. Relaxed. Elevated. Happy.

Fire Island is a special place. Kismet is one of the most popular beaches along this barrier island that runs for 32 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. Each hamlet is a little different. But all of them have pristine beaches that are within walking distance from anywhere you might be. "Welcome to Our Piece of Paradise" reads a sign hung above a rack of towels. That's what the beaches of Fire Island are. Paradiso.

Collecting shells along the shore is a wonderful way to spend time at the beach. I have a large collection of shells that I display in my home. In my last article, I wrote about the beauty of broken shells. They define our experience at the beach. They are everywhere in the sand. I especially love the feel of them. All types in all shapes and sizes. One more beautiful than the other.

If you live on Long Island, then you know how amazing the beaches are here. They are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and people come from everywhere to spend time on them. If you're lucky enough to have a Chalet by the Sea, then you can understand how the sun and salt air cast a spell over everything, including your skin.

Invest in your skin. It’s going to represent you for a very long time. This reminds us that taking care of our skin is an investment in our future selves. All those years of spent youth in the blaring sun can catch up with us. SPF 50 is best. Lather down while the surf's up.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, it's a good idea to get an annual body scan by a skin doctor to make sure nothing dangerous is growing. Love the skin you're in.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK

My pick of the week is the Zac Brown Tribute Band performing at Tanner Park in Copiague this Friday, July 31 at 7:00pm. Bring a lawn chair, your friends and family, and enjoy a night of great music. Don't forget the snacks!! Visit (20+) Facebook for more information.

SKYLARK'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

The highlight of the week is the warm mid-summer weather we're having. Even though there are pockets of rain in the forecast, I'm enjoying the balmy air that the humidity brings. We ate dinner alfresco style on Monday night. The air was warm with a slight chill to it. I took my sweater wrap. After dinner, we took a ride around our neighborhood to look at the beautiful homes that surround it. That was a real highlight of the week.

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SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK

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SKYLARK'S ITALIAN PHRASE OF THE WEEK

English: The best thing about summer is spending a lot of time at the beach collecting shells.

Italian: La cosa migliore dell'estate è passare molto tempo in spiaggia a raccogliere conchiglie.

SKYLARK'S INTERIOR DECORATING TIP OF THE WEEK

Seashells can add an exotic touch to a home. Share your collection if you have one. They are nature's china.

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What is your favorite seashell to display around your home?

Please put your answer in the Comment section under this post. I'd love to hear from you.

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SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - SUMMER NIGHTS sung by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John

Lyrics

Summer loving had me a blast
Summer loving happened so fast
I met a girl crazy for me
Met a boy cute as can be
Summer days drifting away
To-ah! Oh, the summer nights
Well-a, well-a, well-a, huh
Tell me more, tell me more
Did you get very far?
Tell me more, tell me more
Like does he have a car?
Uh huh (doo doo)
Uh huh (doo doo)
Uh huh (doo doo doo doo doo)
She swam by me, she got a cramp
He ran by me, got my suit damp
I saved her life, she nearly drowned
He showed off, splashing around
Summer sun, something's begun
But ah! Oh, the summer nights
Well-a, well-a, well-a, huh
Tell me more, tell me more
Was it love at first sight?
Tell me more, tell me more
Did she put a fight?
Dow, doobie do, doobie do
Doobie, doobie, doobie
Dow, doobie do, doobie do
Doobie, doobie, doobie, dow
Took her bowling in the Arcade
We went strolling, drank lemonade
We made out under the dock
We stayed up 'til ten o'clock
Summer fling, don't mean a thing
But ah! Oh, the summer nights
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Tell me more, tell me more
But you don't gotta brag
Tell me more, tell me more
'Cause he sounds like a drag
Shoo bop bop, shoo bop bop
Shoo bop bop, shoo bop bop
Shoo bop bop, shoo bop bop
Shoo bop bop, yeah!
He got friendly, holding my hand
Well, she got friendly down in the sand
He was sweet, just turned eighteen
Well, she was good, you know what I mean
Summer heat, boy and girl meet
But ah! Oh, the summer nights
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Tell me more, tell me more
How much dough did he spend?
Tell me more, tell me more
Could she get me a friend?
It turned colder, that's where it ends
So I told her we'd still be friends
Then we made our true love vow
Wonder what she's doing now
Summer dreams ripped at the seams
But, oh
Those summer
Nights!
(Tell me more, tell me more, more, more)
Songwriters: Sammy Hagar, Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony. For non-commercial use only.

MY BRAND - SKYLARK LIVE

I created my brand, Skylark Live, when I turned 60 years old and noticed a profound shift in this age. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with the hope of helping other women as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in mature ageing through knowledge and self-awareness. I am open to conducting in-person conversations called The Skylark Sessions. These can be held in someone’s home or at a local library or senior center. To be continued.

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