Grow Old Along With Me...

Remember Robert Browning's poem...
"Grow old along with me!

The best is yet to be.

The last of life, for which the first was made:

our times are in His hand

Who saith, the whole I planned,

shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid."

How do you feel about growing older? What do you think about growing older? Is it frightening to you? Recently, someone called me "middle aged" and I laughed. I've reached senior citizen status, and no matter what I want to think, the numbers tell the truth. Let's face it, there's no way I'm going to live to be 120 and I'm pretty sure I don't want to. Especially with the present administration in the White House!

But, there are some fine looking women who have reached their seventh, eighth and ninth decades that make aging look pretty dang good! Are you familiar with Iris Apfel? She's 90 years old young and still has IT. Whatever IT is. -smile- As they say in the trade, Mrs. Apfel is a doyenne of fashion, both making and wearing fashion. Read the articles at the NY Times and Into the Gloss for interviews with Mrs. Apfel and be encouraged!

~ Iris Aphel, photographer unknown to me ~

Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen was released a few weeks ago to rave reviews; he celebrates the style and worth of older women and men. Mr. Cohen asked the question, "How do you feel about aging?" Go, visit his blog and let me know what you think; I could spend hours and hours wandering around, reading and celebrating Women of a Certain A.G.E. -smile-

~ Advanced Style ~

Rita Marcus, an 80-something Very Old Grandmother blogs from England and is on page 28 of Ari's book. A small sampling of more eye candy blogs: Style Crone, Idiosyncratic Fashionistas "growing old with verve", A Femme d'Un Certain Age, Not Dressed as Lamb - btw, I LOVE the play on words with this blog title...are you familiar with the adage "mutton dressed as lamb"? It means an older woman who dresses much, much younger. For me, this is a fine line...I like to see women dress the way it pleases them, makes them look good but I detest that "little girl look" of bows and ribbons and, especially, the way some women will stand with one toe pointed inward, lilt to the leg as if they are four years old. UGH! That's not sexy, it's not sensual, it's sick!
A couple of years ago, Daddy and I were talking. He was thinking about running for his third term as his district's Board of Supervisor's representatives. He said, "I want to run but if I'm elected, I'll be in my mid-80's when my term expires." He paused and there was silence. "So, Daddy," I asked, How old will you be if you don't run and get elected?" Daddy is serving his third term and his constituents love him, but the other politicians...not so much. -smile-
So, what is it you want to do? What's your dream? What are you allowing to come between you and your dream? WHY? What's keeping you from living your dream? Remember, the only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth. Try on some Courageous Risk; plan your work and then, work your plan. GO FOR IT!


Blessings ~ this anonymous prayer found at Healthy Spirituality

Dear God,
Please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life.
Remove the have nots, the can nots and the do nots that I have in my mind.
Erase the will nots, may nots, and might nots that find a home in my heart.
Release me from the could nots, would nots and should nots that obstruct my life.
And most of all, dear God, I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart and my life all of the am nots that I have allowed to hold me back, especially the thought that I am not good enough.