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Corynne Steindler Cirilli's avatar

Genevieve I’m so happy you wrote this! The photos are so beautiful!! Jane — I miss you! The codependency and hyper vigilance … gosh can I relate. And so good to know re apple cider vinegar I had no idea it could erode teeth! Sorry you are dealing with that. I’m off to a healing weekend /girls trip in Palm Springs but I miss everyone and the commenters too. I promise to come back more in some form very soon! If you’ll have me! xoxo always

Jane Pratt's avatar

Corynne!! I love you! I miss you! Come back whenever you want to (that's a lifelong offer)!

I'm very very very proud of you and I also can't thank you enough for joining in these comments. You're incredible. And funny in all senses of the word. ❤️💛🧡

Genevieve Sage's avatar

Corynne!!!! I've missed our back & forths!! Thank you so much -- I'm gonna go hog wild on the socials and make a little video recording of the piece, too! Can you call Page Six? ;) JK. I know that space is reserved for Brandi's face parasite. Thanks for reading and love seeing your IG stories that are usually quotes I relate to! <3

Corynne Steindler Cirilli's avatar

Miss you too. It’s been a journey. I’m processing so much still. Jane saved my life (that’s such a theme) and I hope to be “back” in a different form (literally, a different version of myself) soon … lucky you got to have your piece run with one of Jane’s best intros ever IMO!

Kristin Ring's avatar

Genevieve, I’m so ready for this!

My adult lady wish is to stomp a runway as a model in a fashion show - a real one where I get hair and makeup done and get to wear something that makes me look rich and slightly scary. I’m 46 and a size 14 but I’ve got great hair, I’m 5’9” (almost model height!) and I can waaaaalk! Putting this here for accountability- I’ll email too!

Jane Pratt's avatar

I also love that you said "putting this here for accountability" and that inspires me to write some of mine in these comments too. So I will! Thank you!

Genevieve Sage's avatar

Kristin!!!! I love it! Let's see about pulling some strings....👠

Jane Pratt's avatar

I may be able to help with this one. Let me see.

Celia Cain, PhD's avatar

This is amazing! I love the wish granting idea in general and Genevieve, I’m adding La Peetch to my future empty nest wishlist. Thank you so much for sharing that experience. I’m gonna consider what I want to manifest through y’all.

I have a manifestation practice. It’s a particular skill of mine and while I can talk for awhile about aligning your energy with your desires (and am renovating my manifestation course for re-release in a month or two), so much of it is noticing the opportunities that are around us.

Jane! Too much Coconut water, magnesium, AND apple cider vinegar? Really? I feel that there’s a lesson here for you that has return more than once. I’m not jumping on your toilet paper recc and not just because I’m in Canada. I’m 💯 team bidet like FIVE BILLION PEOPLE on planet Earth. I know it’s weird for North American white people, but it’s the best thing ever. And I’ve written about it. I’m not dropping a link because I think that’s tacky as a commenter, but you can search bidet on my Substack and find it. Fair warning, post is also about caregiving and death.

Jane Pratt's avatar

I hear you on all of that admonishment! And appreciate it all! Also, I couldn't agree more that make an adult wish is a fabulous idea and that was all Genevieve. Thanks for another award-winning comment!

Genevieve Sage's avatar

Dr. Celia!!! Thank you SO much for your comment and love!!! La Peetch is truly next level. Sometimes I still think it was a Fever dream! And, ex-squeeze me: a manifesting practice?!?! YES PLEASE!!! ⚡️⚡️⚡️

Celia Cain, PhD's avatar

It’s simple but effective. 5 steps: desire, choose, allow, it is possible, I am/I have. It’s thorough too. And it helps me see when I don’t actually want something for myself.

A Long Story's avatar

Raise your hand if you screen-shot this!

Andy Finley's avatar

Big Daddy, Genevieve gave you a hint which person in the picture was which, when she said further down that Mackenna is tall like Julia.

So awesome, Genevieve. Heaven is eating charcuterie and cheese until I die--and then finding an unlimited supply when my soul arrives... somewhere.😬

Jane Pratt's avatar

Ok Andy, closest reader of all time, while you're at it, do you want to point out any typos? I know I made one in my intro, but I came back and corrected it.

Respectfully,

Big Daddy

Andy Finley's avatar

Done. Check your inbox.

Jane Pratt's avatar

I just wrote you back and guess what? You are wrong and I am so happy for once to be able to say that. Look at my email. I'm certain about the first one – though I could see how it was confusing – and tell me what you think about my disagreement on the second grammatical point. We can always put it to a vote here, but I think you and I can settle it amicably ourselves.

Genevieve Sage's avatar

Jeez you guys, get a room. 😎

Alyssa Krawczyk's avatar

🤣

Jane Pratt's avatar

hahahahhahahahhah!!

Genevieve Sage's avatar

Thank you, Andy!!!! I'll meet you there!!!! 🔥👹🧀🍖

Ingrid Schorr's avatar

Coconut water is also high in potassium and some people take it to treat heart palpitations. But if you drink massive amounts every day it will also throw your natural electrolytes out of whack.

Jane Pratt's avatar

I didn't know this so thank you! Speaking of electrolytes I once took too much magnesium and highly do not recommend it.

Ingrid Schorr's avatar

Coconut water is such a delicious addition to any drink. It makes it taste velvety somehow. I was vacationing with friends and we invented our house drink for the week: vodka, lime juice, seltzer and a splash of coconut water. It’s also delicious in iced coffee!

Jane Pratt's avatar

That's very similar to what I was drinking in Brazil! I like the cut limes and I squeeze them in myself but otherwise, that was my exact drink! And then I would sip a separate coconut water on the side. I also think there was a rum drink with coconut water in it at some point on that trip. But I remember the exact moment I tried coconut water for the first time - in a drink almost exactly like yours at an outdoor table at a restaurant in Rio De Janeiro. Yum all around.

Ingrid Schorr's avatar

Well it was Lynda who introduced me to coconut water on that vacation and told me about the heart thing … so you see it’s all connected! Except it was Puerto Rico.

Jane Pratt's avatar

Amazing! Michael and Lynda influenced us – and in so many other ways too. I think of them both as teachers.

A Long Story's avatar

This is hilarious and awesome and I hate cooking. I avoid all cooking content! But you’ve cured that (well, you ansdthe Anthony Bourdain biography by Laura Woolever I read this fall!)

“Next slide: I own a goat.” That is, how do you say, chef’s kiss! Brava! Cheers! Mon Dieu, I wanna write like you.

Jane Pratt's avatar

Non-cookers unite! Also, I loved that goat line so so much too. I had to email Genevieve like three times because it kept glitching and the captions kept getting lost, but as I told her, boy was it worth it. I hope she agrees, ha ha. She's a comedic genius, for real.

Genevieve Sage's avatar

Be still my beating heart!!! Best. Comment. Ever. Thank you, Amanda!!!!!!!

Caitlin's avatar

I’M NEXT, GENEVIEVE!

What kismet is this?!?!?! I happen to read this article about making adult dreams come true on exactly the day I’ve written on the top of my to do list: “APPLY TO PUPPET CAMP.”

I’m not even joking. The Eugene O’Neill 2026 National Puppetry Conference to be precise.

I’m a 37 year old woman who has already had at least 3 legitimate careers and the current one (auctioneering) is dramatically dwindling… along with my bank account. A friend of mine has been encouraging me to apply for a couple years, and they just messaged to remind me that applications are due in 6 days. It feels frivolous and important to my life’s story to do whatever it takes to get to The O’Neill for the conference in June.

Help me Genevieve! Help me Jane! Help me Tom Cruise! Help me Oprah Winefry!

Genevieve, I’ve been reading your articles ever since you began writing for AJPT and I LOVE THEM. I’m so glad Jane saw the gifts you have in connecting with your audience through writing with sincerity, depth, and always humor.

Good job, Jane, for championing Genevieve and giving the people what they want! ;)

Jane Pratt's avatar

I love Genevieve more every day and thank you so much for saying all those great things about her and getting her so well too! It's thrilling when someone whose work I love so much and introduce to other people is so universally loved by them all. It's pretty much my favorite part of my job.

I also love your wish and I think Genevieve and I can get on that one pronto!

Raf's avatar

My adult wish is to travel to Salem in early Oct with a couple of my favorite ladies in an elder-emo, black wardrobe (with 🔥 leather accents & lace-up boots) and do all the witchy tours.

——-

I took a cooking class in France once, but it did not top the cooking class I took in Florence, which was better than my wedding day. Fresh pasta & gnocchi, squash blossoms, pine nuts and tiramisu 🤌🤌

Alyssa Krawczyk's avatar

Yesss!!!! My Halloween-loving self would absolutely love to do the same!! I live in CT but haven't been up to Salem since I was in college! I need to do something about that. 🎃👻

Dana Walker Inskeep's avatar

I tend to show up late for the comment party. A day late, but here I am!

I'm also not big on cooking, but I loved this piece, Genevieve.

As for an "adult wish," I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Jane Pratt's avatar

I love that you show up a day late by the way because I always want to hang out in the comments on a single piece for like a week and sometimes even months. Things evolve and there's always more to say. (I also stay at clubs until the punishingly bright lights come on and enjoy every last moment.)

Dana Walker Inskeep's avatar

SAME. Well, I used to when I went to clubs. Now I can barely stay awake past 10pm.

Genevieve Sage's avatar

Wait: Jane do you STILL stay out that late to clubs??? Dana said she can't stay awake past 10pm, well I'm in my jamjams by like 8pm!!!!! 👵🏼 And then there's Jane just out til 2am partying with Madonna!

Jane Pratt's avatar

I thought about whether to put that in past tense, and you were smart to catch me in it. But the truth is, I have partied late recently also – just not every single night like I used to.

Genevieve Sage's avatar

Thanks so much, Dana! Neither does Jane -- I wish I could make you both Boeuf Bourguignon and wax poetic about this place teaching one to cook recipe-free -- it was revolutionary! 🥖🧀🍷

Dana Walker Inskeep's avatar

I would LOVE that!

Jane Pratt's avatar

I'm most certainly in.

A Long Story's avatar

Jane — Mom’s boyfriend told us we were headed to Disney World. An hour later, we were at Chuck E. Cheese. He also promised an Atari, and came home with a second-, or third-hand Pong that lasted about two weeks.

Jane Pratt's avatar

That just cracked me up so hard! God, I love and appreciate you! My dad told us he was bringing us home this machine that would allow us to make poster size versions of anything we wanted so my brother and I had a whole business plan dreamed up and what my dad brought back was like two sticks of wood, where you put a pencil in either side so when you draw with one the other one moves in a larger circle or something. It was cool, but not what he had promised And got us all hyped up about. The Disney World promise happened probably once a week.

A Long Story's avatar

A Poster Machine!!!!

A Long Story's avatar

Also, last year I had three separate flippers. At one time, I was missing two front teeth. Kids, don’t do eating disorders. Stomach acid is as bad for your teeth as apple cider whatnot. #teambidet

Jane Pratt's avatar

I almost wrote this in the story, but it was too long and boring already: I had a best friend question whether I was bulimic because of how my teeth were rotting. I have been many many things (which you will hear all about) but not bulimic. I'm sorry you went through that but thank you for warning others. (I kid you not, I was dictating that and Siri changed it to "I'm sorry you threw up" – which is also true – but this AI shit is scary.)

I'm feeling a little sad about my lacking in this whole team bidet thing. I apologize to all of you and I will work to get with the program.

Genevieve Sage's avatar

I actually got my Husband a bidet for his birthday and it's like I gifted him a winning lotto ticket.🚽

A Long Story's avatar

Get yer ass in gear

Jane Pratt's avatar

I just doubled over laughing at that one. Oh man, you're too funny. So far there are at least three frame worthy quotes in this comment thread. Keep them coming!

OK-ish's avatar

"Amy Adams can suck it. (JK -- luv her)" cracked me up. Great piece, Genevieve. I really enjoyed it!

My adult wish is to play bass in Madonna's live band and tour with them. But maybe not now, maybe in, like, 2003. Can I have an adult wish in the past? This is a risky wish, and I'll tell you why: One of my recurring dreams (and I have several) is that I am playing in Madonna's band and I miss a cue or screw up a note and she fires me in front of the whole arena! We're talking a massive arena, like Wembley. (Is there a psychologist in the house who wants to take a stab at that one? I feel like it's not that complicated, but I'm always open to more shrinking.) In the dream, I am crushed, humiliated, and horribly upset.

I like the idea of having notebook in which to write things you are manifesting. I'm gonna try that. Again, great job.

Jane Pratt's avatar

I am late to praise this incredible wish, but I love it, and I love psychoanalyzing that dream too. What a doozy and a classic! I agree with every single thing you said here except I don't want to encourage Genevieve to go further with this "manifesting" journal trip - actually I love it and do it too, and started writing mine down when I was 15(!) - just the lingo I don't. I adore you both!

Genevieve Sage's avatar

Thanks a mill!!! I super duper appreciate your comments and HELL YESS to playing bass on Madonna's tour! I best Jane will pop in here and be like, "Madonna is a dear friend" because Jane knows the entire North American Continent and then some. But also? Maybe your recurring dream is YOU preparing yourself for your future self to not miss the cue when it happens in the future!! Someone call Doc Brown and get us a Flux Capacitor!

Jane Pratt's avatar

Of course I know Madonna – duh! You will have to work on the Time Machine backward part.

OK-ish's avatar

Oh snap, I just realised I did not mention that I have never even PICKED UP a bass, so I think this really IS the stuff of dreams -- but maybe I can manifest having a more positive Madge dream, like, when she actually compliments me on something I do and doesn't rip me a new one in front of the whole world.

Genevieve Sage's avatar

Lol. Ok, Ok-ish -- since we're entering the Year of the Horse, will you do me a solid and take some lessons? You don't have to be Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers but it'll help fulfill this dream...🌟🎸

Jane Pratt's avatar

Good call, Boss.

Jayne Ruppert's avatar

You are my hero. I love this so much!

Jane Pratt's avatar

So sweet and so do I!

Genevieve Sage's avatar

I guess Jane/Jayne (s) are my new favorite name now!!!!! xoxo

Jane Pratt's avatar

We are the best.

Jayne Ruppert's avatar

I wholeheartedly agree. We really are. We should start a club.

Jane Pratt's avatar

We can co-run it. There are other amazing Janes on here too I've met who can jump in. Jane Fonda just started a Substack, so she's allowed too If you are agree, Co-President.

Jayne Ruppert's avatar

Oh absolutely. I will follow her to the ends of the earth. But I do think we should be co-leaders. She can be secretary.

Jayne Ruppert's avatar

Honestly it was physically tough for me to type that Jane Fonda should be a secretary. Jane Fonda is president all day every day.

E Okobi's avatar

Love this story Genevieve! And it is absolutely all about manifesting, Jane! Would you prefer the term “wombifesting”? Although that sounds like a rare kind of gynecological malady.

Jane Pratt's avatar

I love this!!! Well I have to admit it never even occurred to me that "man" was in there. And this is from someone who for a decade starting in college used the vowel "a" exactly zero times when referring to gender (wymyn, womben, womyn, and many other varieties sufficed) for that exact reason. I don't even have an issue with the word or concept of manifesting - only that it became so so prevalent and overused. Having said all that, I'll go with wombifesting, Sure! It's new and it fits this making an adult wish project to a tee since most of the people writing in about it are female. (Sorry, Andy!)

Genevieve Sage's avatar

Thank you so much for reading!!! "Wombifesting" def sounds like you need antibiotics to cure it...lol. But I like the swing. Womanifesting does't have the ring I'd hoped, either....;)

Rachel Fishman's avatar

I love this - you are amazing, what a fantastic experience! And you already inspired one of my dreams to come true - because that is what you do, inspire people!

Jane Pratt's avatar

She does! She's making dreams come true everywhere and I'm so excited about yours. (Even though I don't know what it is.) Xoxox

Genevieve Sage's avatar

Thank you my luv!!! I love it when people take my little nuggets of ideas (or big ones) and DO THE THANG. That's what's most fulfilling for me. And you took it and ran!!!! ⚡️⚡️⚡️

Jomaama's avatar

Make an adult wish! I love this!

Jane Pratt's avatar

Genevieve gets 100% of the credit for this idea. I love it too! And I am so happy you do!

Nicole's avatar

This is such a great post! My number one wish is to be a balloon handler in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! Or to be Santa's Elf!!! Before 2020 there use to be ways you could volunteer to be the balloon walkers. My dad and I talked about doing it. He died. I wont give up the dream!!

Jane Pratt's avatar

Don't give up the dream - that's wonderful! Let me and Genevieve put our heads together on this one. I actually have some ideas. Xo