Fair to Piddling: A Journey Through Midlife in Humorous Verse

by Lizzie Nelson

A common phrase we hear among middle-aged women is, 'Is it is just me or..?'. Such as, is it just me or is it boiling in here? Is it just me or is it very loud in here? Is it just me or is the writing on this menu really tiny? Is it just me or does this song have an awful lot of swearing in it?
Well, hooray! It's not just you! We're all learning to live with our changing bodies, menopause and an evolving perception of the world around us.
Fair to Piddling is a laugh out loud collection of verse charting a journey from parenthood to post menopause. While it certainly touches on menopause, it is not entirely about hot flashes, gin and chocolate (I lie, there is a fair bit about chocolate) but rather those moments; unexpected observations and conversations that flavor our experience of midlife.

99 pages, Paperback

Published October 19, 2023

About the author

Lizzie Nelson lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, daughter and dogs. After a career working internationally as a muralist, an arthritis diagnosis led her to rethink a less physical creative path. She has illustrated children's books and created visual collateral for businesses and non-profits. She now writes for the simple pleasure of making people laugh. In her fifties, she is one of a growing number of women writing deliberately about menopause and middle age. Lizzie brings a humorous take on midlife with her unique brand of cheeky British humor.

Reviews

[Tracey Gemmell]

In the pandemic era,it's nice to be reminded we once had other concerns. Like hot flashes, graying hair and a memory that's little more than a distant memory. Fair to Piddling is a delightfully funny, and at times poignant, collection of verses about life in one's thirties, forties and fifties. It's hard to pick favorites as each verse brings something new to the table, but 'Insomniaaaargh!' and 'Viking Funeral' stand out, with 'Repurposed' seeing me laughing and crying at the same time. Brilliant. The illustrations are exceptional too.

I intend to purchase the paperback version to compliment the ebook. I'll keep this in view on my shelf to read over and over. Highly recommended.

[Tori]

Hilarious! I purchased this book at my local independent bookstore PPB to support a local author. This book made my day! Read it cover to cover while waiting in line at Walgreens drive up window. Read the poems in Fifties:Forgetfulness to my husband just to prove to him that it’s not just me!

[Lynn Wyvill]

Quick read. Some amusing observations.

[Sharon Christine]

This book definitely made me giggle 🤣 light, laughable humour. Highly recommend.

[Ingrid Gail]

My second book by this writer and I loved this one as much as the other one.

This is a fun and hilarious read of short verses and poems about getting older and the positive and negative things that go with it.

I have snorted and laughed out loud at poems like 'Insomniaaaargh!' that are so true when you are getting older. And I loved the final verse about getting shorter and older, but leaving beautiful memories for those you love.

Buy it for yourself or for someone you love, you won't regret it!

[Laura Simonek]

This book made me laugh and cry. Such a wonderful must read! Highly recommend!!